School of Visual Arts Presents 21st Annual Dusty Film and Animation Festival and Awards Concludes 5/7

The 21st 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. All festival events take place at the SVA Theatre (333 West 23rd Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). Many events are FREE and open to the general public.

"We are thrilled to be marking 2010 and the 21st year of the Dustys-now recognized as one of the premiere student film festivals in the country-as we celebrate the many outstanding achievements of our emerging filmmakers and animators. It is always a delight to be showcasing and sharing their work with members of the entertainment industry, seeing the ‘magic' made by the next generation of film and animation talent," said Reeves Lehmann, chair of the BFA Film, Video and Animation Department at SVA.

Over its two-decade history, the DUSTYS has introduced many graduates of the BFA Film, Video and Animation Department who have gone on to earn international recognition on the film scene. The most recent Academy Awards winners included SVA alumnus Michael Giacchino (BFA 1990 Film and Video) for Music (Original Score) for the Pixar animated film Up, (previously nominated for his score for the animated film Ratatouille). Other SVA alumni to be recognized recently for outstanding filmmaking include Lynn Shelton (MFA 1995 Photography and Related Media), who won the John Cassavetes Award at the Film Independent Spirit Awards for her film Humpday, and Brenton Cottman (BFA 2003 Illustration), who won a Visual Effects Society (VES) Award for Outstanding Matte Paintings in a Feature Motion Picture for his work as lead matte painter on the film Avatar. SVA alumni have also been represented at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, including Kevin Asch (BFA 1998 Film and Video), with Holy Rollers. In addition, Jake Armstrong (BFA 2009 Animation) won the Best Undergraduate Award at the Ottawa International Animation Festival for his short, The Terrible Thing of Alpha-9.

Each year, DUSTY film achievement awards are presented in the following categories: documentary, screenwriting, cinematography, sound, editing, directing and outstanding film. Animation achievement awards are presented for traditional, stop-motion, and outstanding design.

Past DUSTYS presenters have included SVA alumni, industry notables and award-winners such as Danny Aiello, Ellen Burstyn, Sean Combs, Wes Craven, Griffin Dunne, Harvey Keitel, Kevin Kline, David Koepp, Mira Nair, Bill Plympton, John Patrick Shanley, Bryan Singer, and Treat Williams.

2010 Festival Schedule:

Sunday, May 2 - Wednesday, May 5: Screenings*

SVA Theatre

333 West 23rd Street - Time TBA

Tuesday, May 4: Animation Screenings*

SVA Theatre - 7 - 11pm

Friday, May 7: Winner's Circle*

SVA Theatre, 6 - 10pm

Events marked with an asterisk * above are free and open to the public. Updated event information will be available on the SVA/DUSTY website, by visiting: www.sva.edu/dusty.

The 2010 Dusty Film and Animation Festival and Awards are sponsored by Eastman Kodak, CAVA - SVA Computer Store, National Board of Review, New York Women In Film and Television, Act Zero Films, AJA Video Systems, Animation Magazine, Arri/CSC, Avid, Back Stage, Foto Care, Future Media Concepts, Gotham Sound, Keslow Television, Nice Shoes, Panavision and SCS Agency, 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 1000 creative professionals and its participation in the larger arts community of New York City. SVA alumni have received accolades 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.