As part of After School Special: The 2015 School of Visual Arts Alumni Film & Animation Festival, we are pleased to present the acclaimed documentary Thank You For Playing (2015), recently featured at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival, followed by a Q&A with co-director David Osit (MFA 2011 Social Documentary). Osit and co-director Malika Zouhali-Worrall, will join us live via Skype. The Q&A will be moderated by current SVA student Fernando Venegas (MFA 2016 Social Documentary).

Synopsis: Ryan Green's four-year-old son, Joel, has terminal cancer. Ryan, an indie video game developer, is building an unusually poetic video game to document his experiences raising a dying child, and to honor Joel while he is still alive. The film follows the creation and growing success of Ryan's game, as his son's health continues to decline.

The film will be preceded by the Sports Emmy Award-nominated documentary short The Perfect 18 (2014) by Mickey Duzyj (BFA 2004 Illustration) and Kyle Stecker (BFA 2011 Illustration).

Thank You For Playing is not rated by the MPAA. Parents are strongly cautioned – some material may be inappropriate for children under 13, and children under the age of 5 will not be admitted.

Ticket Information

All After School Special festival screenings are free and open to the public. General Admission RSVPs are appreciated, but not necessary. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors will open approximately 30 minutes prior to each screening.

Concessions Information

A limited amount of free popcorn will be offered at all screenings. Otherwise, concessions are not available for purchase at SVA Theatre. Guests are welcome to bring food and drink. Glass bottles and alcohol are not permitted.

Please contact svatheatre@sva.edu with questions.