Monroe student filmmakers' productions to appear in forthcoming Dusty Film and Animation Festival in New York City

MONROE - Two Monroe student filmmakers will have their short films appear in the 22nd annual Dusty Film and Animation Festival, which runs May 6 to 10 in Manhattan. The short films of Benjamin Kiviat and Eddie Lebron, who will graduate next month from the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, are among 100 films by students graduating from the BFA Film, Video and Animation Department at the school. The event includes screenings of short films, videos and animations, and culminates in an awards ceremony with notables from the film and animation industries. It will also include five-minute scenes by SVA’s screen writing thesis students performed live on stage. Awards are presented to students recognized for outstanding thesis work. Decisions and choices Kiviat’s film, “Beard Talk,” is an “awkward” comedy focusing on three friends named Ben, Steve and Joe. Kiviat said the film is about the frustrations of trying to move on after a bad decision, often stagnating one’s own happiness. “I wanted to make something fun and unpretentious that puts themes and ideas that I find important into some sort of context,” said Kiviat. “A lot of it was shot around Monroe. I wanted to go back to the place where I grew up watching films and first fell in love with production. I wanted to shoot something that embodies my upbringing and people who influence me … something down to earth that is opposite of all the stresses and competition of the city.” Lebron’s film, “Becoming Tina,” focuses on career choices. He said the film focuses on Janet’s dilemma of whether she should pursue this “immoral or unsatisfactory” career option as an escort, knowing she would need to morph into the alter-personality named Tina if she went into that business and particularly when she would be with paying clients. Culmination Both soon-to-be film graduates - who graduated from Monroe-Woodbury High School - were thrilled their films would be part of the festival. “My colleagues and I have been on this interesting journey for the past four years,” Lebron said. “ It’s (the festival) the culmination of what we’ve been through these past four years as student filmmakers. These films represent who 'you are’ for your work life as an adult, not just as a student. It’s really a calling card to represent us as we enter the work world.” Kiviat felt similarly. “It’s the culmination of everything that I’ve been working for these past four years,” he said “Everybody will get to see my work … my friends … my family. We (the student filmmakers) will get to celebrate each other’s work and see what we each have accomplished.”

'Beard Talk’
Benjamin Kiviat’s film, “Beard Talk,” is an “awkward” comedy focusing on three friends named Ben, Steve and Joe.
Ben has created his own public access show “Beard Talk,” and dragged his two friends along. Ben begins to feel like Steve is trying to take over “what’s his,” and cancels the show out of his own frustrations.
Ben and Joe move back into their respective homes while Steve takes the show to new levels of fame.
Ben becomes jealous and tries to get the show back to feed his own selfishness. He doesn’t see that Steve is doing what he’s always wanted and ignores Joe’s desire to get his two best friends back together.

The Dusty Film and Animation Festival
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. To pay tribute to School of Visual Arts Founder Silas H. Rhodes, the event was named “Dusty” — after the nickname Rhodes had as a soldier in World War II.
Over its more than two-decade history, the Dustys have introduced many graduates of the BFA Film, Video and Animation Department who have gone on to earn national and international recognition.
The festival takes place at the SVA Theatre at 333 W. 23rd St. in the city and is free and open to the public.
To learn more, visit: www.sva.edu/dusty.

'Becoming Tina’
Eddie Lebron’s film, “Becoming Tina,” focuses on career choices.
The film is the story of a young woman named Janet, who has just completed college and is in dire financial straits. She’s looking for a way to making a decent income.
A friend suggests a drastic career change that she says will help end Janet’s financial challenges.
Janet’s friend, who works as an escort, suggests Janet become an escort herself.