After School Special 2026: SVA's Alumni Film & Animation Festival begins September 23, 2026 and runs thru September 27, 2026. The festival features School of Visual Arts' accomplished film, television, animation, and visual effects alumni in a multi-day festival.

Screenings and Q and As with industry insiders giving insight to the world of television and cinema will be happening. Seating will be first come first serve with doors opening 30 minutes before screenings. All events are free and open to the public. SVA Theatre located at 333 West 23rd is where the festival is taking place. Concessions are not available but water will be on offer.

If you would like to attend any of these events, but require assistive devices and/or accommodations, please email svatheatre@sva.edu or call 212-592-2980 at least one week prior to the event.

The schedule is as follows:

7:00PM - Anora (2024)

Hear from production sound mixer Boris Krichevsky (BFA 2017 Film), who was on set for the 2025 Best Picture winner, which racked up a total of five Oscars and the Cannes Palme d'Or! See (and hear) it again — or for the very first time — on the big screen. Click here to RSVP.

7:30PM - Disability & Visibility

An evening dedicated to bringing visibility to the disability community. Take Me Home (2023) is director Liz Sargent and producer Minos Papas' (BFA 2004 Film and Video) short film about a cognitively disabled woman struggling to move on after the death of a parent.  Their proof-of-concept short led to the award-winning feature film of the same name that's opening in New York this week!  Following the short, we'll welcome director Ben Duffy (BFA 2014 Film and Video) with the world premiere of his experimental feature documentary, No Pinnacle Without The Miraculous (2026), which centers on Duffy's mental health struggles while filming a documentary about those with physical disabilities. Click here to RSVP.

8:00PM - SVA Premieres: Best of 2026

School of Visual Arts spotlights exceptional live action, documentary, and animated shorts by its most recent graduates. Join many of the filmmakers and artists, who will be in attendance. Preceded by a music video from Annapurna Interactive's RPG musical, People of Note, introduced by Ben Meyer (BFA 2022 Computer Art, Computer Animation, and Visual Effects) of the video game's creative team. Click here to RSVP.

2:00PM - KPop Demon Hunters (2025)

Join award-winning production designer Dave Bleich (BFA 1992 Illustration) for a screening of Netflix's 2026 Best Animated Feature Oscar winner.  Preceded by the NYC premiere of the animated short film First Haircut by Disney·Pixar artist Ivo Kos (MFA 1991 Computer Art). Click here to RSVP.

7:30PM - The Stringer: The Man Who Took the Photo (2025)

Netflix's compelling documentary traces the origins of one of the most-recognized photographs of the 20th century, "Napalm Girl".  Join director Bao Nguyen (MFA 2011 Social Documentary Film) for a remarkable discussion after the film. Click here to RSVP.

2:00PM - Cutting Through Rocks (2025)

Filmmakers Sara Khaki (MFA 2011 Social Documentary Film) and Mohammadreza Eyni will be on hand to screen and discuss their riveting, Academy Award-nominated documentary, about the first female councilor of an Iranian village. Click here to RSVP.