SVA Announces SCREENWRITERS NIGHT 5/3, Part Of DUSTY Film & Animation Fest

School of Visual Arts Proudly Announces Screenwriters Night, Monday, May 3, 2010, part of the 21st Annual Dusty Film and Animation Festival. Set to take place at the SVA Theatre at 6:30PM (333 West 23rd Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues), the invite-only event is presented in collaboration with The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre and The Real Theatre Company in association with Back Stage and Final Draft. The evening will feature twelve five-minute scenes written by SVA's screenwriting thesis students and performed live on stage by 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 produced by film producer and SVA faculty member Annie Flocco. In addition to Screenwriters Night, the week of activities also include free screenings and a Gala Awards event. For more event info. visit: www.sva.edu/dusty.

"This year we're thrilled to collaborate again on ‘Screenwriters Night,' with an evening of outstanding scripts ready to present ‘up on their feet' for a live audience," said Gallagher. "This year promises to be another memorable evening." Mr. Gallagher recently directed a short film based on a scene from a work presented at Screenwriters Night last year, and that short film, "Expatriate," just won the award for "Best Short" at The Atlantic City Short Film Festival. Mr. Gallagher was also honored at the festival for his body of work of short films. The scene/script "Expatriate," presented at last year's event, was penned by SVA graduate Michael Preiato.

"We are proud to collaborate on this year's Screenwriters Night," said Reeves Lehmann, chair of the BFA Film, Video and Animation Department at SVA. "With this special evening, we showcase the many remarkable works from our screenwriting thesis students."

The 2010 DUSTY Film and Animation Festival and Awards are produced by film producer and SVA faculty member Annie Flocco, with co-producer Meredith Engstrom.

2010 Festival Schedule

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

SVA Theatre

333 West 23rd Street - Time TBA

Monday, May 3: Screenwriters Night

SVA Theatre, 6:30pm

Tuesday, May 4: Animation Screenings*

SVA Theatre - 7 - 11pm

Thursday, May 6: Awards Ceremony and Gala

Awards Ceremony: SVA Theatre 6:30PM

Gala: 9 - 11pm - Visual Arts Gallery

Friday, May 7: Winner's Circle*

SVA Theatre, 6 - 10pm

RSVP is required for Screenwriters Night, Awards Ceremony and Gala. For public inquiries regarding tickets, please contact 212.592.2124. Events marked with an asterisk * above are free and open to the public. Updated event information will be available on the SVA/DUSTY website: www.sva.edu/dusty

The 2010 Dusty Film and Animation Festival and Awards headlining sponsors are 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 thesis 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.