Dusty Film and Animation Festival to Feature Several Free Events 5/4 -5/10

The 20th annual Dusty Film and Animation Festival and Awards will highlight over 100 films by students graduating from the BFA Film, Video and Animation Department at the School of Visual Arts (SVA). The program includes screenings of short films, videos and animations; and an awards ceremony and gala with notable presenters from the film industry.

Many of the screenings are FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, including "Screenwriters Night," a collaboration with The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre, in which SVA graduating screenwriters will have selected scenes performed live by alumni from The Neighborhood Playhouse.

FREE EVENTS AT THE SVA THEATER (333 W. 23RD ST) INCLUDE:

· Monday, May 4 - Friday, May 8: Film Screenings

· Tuesday, May 5: Screenwriter's Night (attendees must RSVP @ 212.592.2124)

· Thursday, May 7: Animation Screenings

· Sunday, May 10: Winner's Circle

"We are very pleased to have reached the 20th year of the Dustys as we recognize the outstanding achievement of emerging filmmakers, and members of the industry get the chance to see the work of the next generation of some remarkable film and animation talent," said Reeves Lehmann, chair of the BFA Film, Video and Animation Department at SVA. "We are thrilled with being able to present the full festival at the all-new state-of-the art SVA Theater, and make so many of the screenings free and open to the NYC community."

More event information is available at www.sva.edu/dusty.

Each year, film achievement awards are presented in the following categories: documentary, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, directing and outstanding film. Animation achievement awards are presented for traditional, stop-motion, experimental animation, plus outstanding design. Previous award presenters have included Harvey Keitel, Danny Aiello, Sean Combs, Bryan Singer, Treat Williams, David Koepp, Wes Craven, Griffin Dunne, Bill Plympton, Tom Sito, and Ellen Burstyn.

2009 Full Festival Schedule

Monday, May 4 - Friday, May 8: Screenings

SVA Theater

333 West 23rd Street, 12 noon - 11pm

Tuesday, May 5: Screenwriters Night

SVA Theater, 6:00pm

Thursday, May 7: Animation Screenings

SVA Theater, 7 - 11pm

Saturday, May 9: Awards Ceremony and Gala *

Awards Ceremony: SVA Theater, 6pm

Gala: Marquee - 8pm - 11pm

289 10th Avenue, NY, NY 10001

Sunday, May 10: Winner's Circle

SVA Theater, 12pm-6pm

RSVP is required for Screenwriters Night, Awards Ceremony and Gala. For public inquiries regarding tickets, please contact 212.592.2124. *Not open to the public

Screenwriters Night, May 5, 2009, is held in collaboration with The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre and the Real Theatre Company. Eleven five-minute scenes by SVA's screenwriting thesis students are set to be performed live on stage, featuring alumni from The Neighborhood Playhouse, the internationally regarded acting conservatory. Screenwriters Night will be directed by award-winning filmmaker John Gallagher, a faculty member at both SVA and The Neighborhood Playhouse, and will be produced by film producers Annie Flocco and Heidi H. Hamelin.

The 2009 Dusty Film and Animation Festival and Awards are sponsored by: Nice Shoes, National Board of Review, New York Women in Film and Television, CAVA - SVA Computer Store, Colliers ABR, Eastman Kodak, Future Media Concepts, SCS Agency, Inc, and Animation Magazine. Screenwriters Night is in collaboration with The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre and the Real Theater Company and is in association with CAVA - SVA Computer Store and Final DrAft, Inc.

The Dusty Film and Animation Festival and Awards began in 1990 when the BFA Film, Video and Animation Department sought to bring its year-end screenings of student films to a
wider audience. With sponsorship, a venue, and the support from the film industry, the event came to life. To pay tribute to School of Visual Arts founder Silas H. Rhodes, the event was named "Dusty" - after the nickname Mr. Rhodes had as a soldier in World War II.

School of Visual Arts is widely regarded as one of the finest art schools in the United States for its innovative curriculum, unparalleled faculty of more than 900 creative professionals and its participation in the larger arts community of New York City. Film and animation students at SVA have received accolades and honors from such renowned institutions and organizations such as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; Sundance Film Festival; International Animated Film Festival in Annecy, France; American Film Institute; Women in Film; National Board of Review and many others. Find more information at www.sva.edu/dusty.

School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City is an established leader and innovator in the education of artists. From its inception in 1947, the faculty has been comprised of professionals working in the arts and art-related fields. SVA provides an environment that nurtures creativity, inventiveness and experimentation, enabling students to develop a strong sense of identity and a clear direction of purpose.