SVA Masters in Film Directing

Some BTS pictures from the shoot of .film , directed by our lovely student !!

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Our student .film had the honor of being the first in our current class to film their thesis project!

Stay tuned for her film, Valentine’s Day, which will premiere at the SVA Theatre at our yearly MPS Film Directing Festival in May!

Even more behind-the-scenes moments from our day two shoot of our 2026 Learning Film production, “The Man in the Arena!”

An incredible cast and crew, including members of the 2025–2026 MPS Film Graduation Class 🎬✨

Photos by MPS Film student

Some behind-the-scenes moments from our day one shoot of our 2026 Learning Film production, “Man in the Arena!”

An incredible cast and crew, including members of the 2025–2026 MPS Film Graduation Class 🎬✨

Photos by MPS Film student

Come learn more about our MPS Film Directing program, and many more, at SVA’s Graduate Studies Info Session & Portfolio Review!

Saturday, Nov 8 | 11AM – 5PM EST
SVA Graduate Center Theatre
136 W 21st Street, New York, NY 10011

Meet our faculty (including Cailin McFaddenC the Director of Operations for the MPS Film Directing Department!) and get personalized feedback on your portfolio.

Don’t miss this chance to connect, explore programs, and get inspired.

Listen to our MPS Film Directing Department Chair Bob Giraldi on the OGs AND AUNTIES podcast: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=F9W6HwfZggA

Join us at the annual Gotham Week Expo Showcase on September 29th!
Stop by our MPS Film Directing and BFA Film table to learn more about filmmaking opportunities at SVA.

📅 Monday, Sept 29 | 2–5 PM
📍 Soho Works, 10 Jay, Brooklyn

Thesis Film Festival approaching! Be sure to check out our 4th Annual Apple Box Short Film Festival this Saturday, May 17th as we showcase the class of 2025 🎥 RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/masters-in-film-directing-apple-box-short-film-festival-2025-tickets-1264090481659?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios

🎬 Thesis BTS Spotlight

Directed by Sonea Patil

[We follow a depressed convenience store owner who convinces himself that his routine workday is now the start of a big film shoot. Treating every interaction like a scene from a film. Leaving viewers with one question: Was it all just a performance or reality? ]

Fearless and unmistakably original, Sonea brings a bold, playful energy that’s entirely her own. Every frame is stamped with her voice—impossible to miss, and impossible to forget. Can’t wait to see how she brings that spirit to the screen!

🗓️ May 17th, 2025 | 📍SVA Theater

🎬 Thesis BTS Spotlight

Directed by Anoushka Iyer .ouchh.kaa

[When her rebellious daughter gets her period for the first time during an important Indian festival, a conservative mother must decide between upholding her tightly held values or standing up for her daughter.]

Gentle and keenly observant, Anoushka infuses her storytelling with a delicate emotional depth that captures the nuances others might overlook. Can’t wait to see how she brings this touching and intricate story to life on screen.

🗓️ May 17, 2025 | 📍SVA Theater

🎬 Thesis BTS Spotlight

Directed by Weiran (Wyan) Zhu

[In a lavish villa where echoes of the past linger, Tina, an ambitious yet flailing writer, crosses paths with a ghost of a gold digger whose story begs to be told — only to realize that she isn’t just writing the tale, she is becoming its next chapter.]

Strong-willed and full of conviction, Wyan brings a clear point of view to everything she makes. Can’t wait to see the distinct storytelling she brings to the screen.

🗓️ May 17, 2025 | 📍SVA Theater