After School Special 2026: SVA’s Alumni Film & Animation Festival

Details: Parent Category: Film and the Arts; Category: Previews; Published on Monday, 24 August 2026 13:53; Written by Brad Balfour

The School of Visual Arts celebrates its alumni and some cinematic greats with After School Special 2026. Running September 23 to the 27th at the SVA Theatre, After School Special showcases world premiere films, documentaries, and animated works from SVA graduates. All screenings are free and open to the public with a RSVP.

The series opens with the 2024 film Anora from director Sean Baker. Join production sound mixer Boris Krichevsky (BFA 2017 Film) after the film for a Q&A that will detail his time on set with the director, cast, and crew. “Disability & Visibility” is a slate of works centered around 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. Following that Ben Duffy (BFA 2014 Film and Video) 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. Award-winning production designer Dave Bleich (BFA 1992 Illustration) will present a screening of Netflix’s 2026 Best Animated Feature Oscar winner, KPop Demon Hunters, preceded by the NYC premiere of the animated short film First Haircut by Disney·Pixar artist Ivo Kos (MFA 1991 Computer Art). 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, Cutting Through Rocks, about the first female councilor of an Iranian village.

To learn more, go to: https://svatheatre.com/events/afterschoolspecial2026/

After School Special 2026: SVA’s Alumni Film & Animation Festival
September 23 - 27, 2026

SVA Theatre
333 West 23rd Street
New York, NY 10011