NEW YORK, April 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The 22nd Annual Dusty Film and Animation Festival—taking place May 6 - 10—culminates with an awards ceremony, Tuesday, May 10 at 6:30pm at the SVA Theatre (333 West 23rd Street) and features a full roster of names from the world of film and animation.  More info: www.sva.edu/dusty

Presenters include director/actor Edward Burns (Tribeca Film Festival 2011- Newlyweds, Saving Private Ryan, The Brothers McMullen) presenting the Outstanding Achievement in Directing Award; Academy Award-nominee and Sundance Grand Prize-winning director Tim Hetherington (Restrepo, Cameraman - The Devil Came on Horseback, Liberia: an Uncivil War) presenting the Outstanding Achievement in Documentary Award; Academy Award-winning production sound mixer Chris Newman (The Godfather, Amadeus, The English Patient) presenting the Outstanding Achievement in Sound Award; Academy Award-nominated editor Andrew Mondshein (What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Chocolat, The Sixth Sense) presenting the Outstanding Achievement in Editing Award; SVA alumnus and animator Aaron Augenblick (Daria, Ugly Americans, Superjail) presenting the Animation Awards; New York Women in Film & Television President Alex Levi (managing partner, Element Financial Group) presenting the New York Women in Film & Television Award; cinematographer Declan Quinn (Leaving Las Vegas, Rachel Getting Married, Pride and Glory) presenting the Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography Award; writer/actor Tom McCarthy (Win Win, Up, The Station Agent) presenting the Outstanding Achievement in Screenwriting Award and director Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Fair Game) presenting the Outstanding Film Award. (Current presenters names are confirmed as of press time, additional presenters will be announced at a later date).

"We are happy to announce this year's list of Dusty presenters," said Reeves Lehmann, chair of the BFA Film, Video and Animation Department at SVA. "With these awards we celebrate the many successes of our illustrious class of filmmakers and animators, as well as a stellar roster of SVA friends and allies from the world of film and animation."

The Dusty awards are presented to the winning thesis students from the BFA Film, Video and Animation Department at the School of Visual Arts. The award winning films and animations are chosen from over 100 thesis students' works. The awards ceremony is part of the Dusty Film and Animation Festival—May 6 -10—which includes screenings of short films, videos, and animations, all of which are FREE and open to the general public. More information at www.sva.edu/dusty  

The 2011 Dusty Film and Animation Festival is produced by film producer and SVA faculty member Annie Flocco, with co-producer Meredith Engstrom. This year's Dusty awards will be hosted by radio personality Valerie Smaldone and SVA animation faculty member Sheila Evans.

2011 Festival Schedule
Friday, May 6 - Monday, May 9: Screenings*
SVA Theatre
333 West 23rd Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues)
Screening schedule will be available on the SVA Dusty Web site in late April.

Saturday, May 7: Screenwriters Night
SVA Theatre, 6pm

Sunday, May 8:  Animation Screenings*
SVA Theatre, 7 - 11pm

Tuesday, May 10: Awards Ceremony  
SVA Theatre, 6:30pm  

RSVP is required for the Awards Ceremony and for Screenwriters Night. 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 Web site:  www.sva.edu/dusty

Past Dusty Awards presenters have included SVA alumni, industry notables and award-winners such as Patricia Clarkson, James Gandolfini, Phil Donahue, John D. Dilworth, Chris Newman, Stephen Rotter, Nancy Schreiber, James C. Strouse, 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, Treat Williams and more.

The 2011 Dusty Film and Animation Festival headlining sponsors include AbelCine, Act Zero Films, Adorama Rental Company, AJA Video Systems, Animation Magazine, Avid Technology, Inc., Boxx Technologies, CAVA— SVA Computer Store, Eastman Kodak Company, Feature Systems / Kits and Expendables, Foto Care, Gotham Sound and Communications, Inc., National Board of Review, New York Women in Film & Television, Nice Shoes, Panavision New York, SCS Agency, Inc., Sony Electronics, Inc., and Susan Batson Studio.

The Dusty Film and Animation Festival 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. BFA Film, Video and Animation 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 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. 

SOURCE School of Visual Arts