"Cutting Through Rocks" Screening and Q&A

As part of After School Special: The 2026 School of Visual Arts Alumni Film & Animation Festival, we are pleased to present a screening of the Academy Award-nominated documentary, Cutting Through Rocks (2025), which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Join documentarians Sara Khaki (MFA 2012 Social Documentary Film) and Mohammadreza Eyni after the film for a Q&A that will detail their work on this riveting film. Current SVA student Ita Ruiz (MFA 2026 Photography, Video, and Related Media) will moderate the Q&A.

Synopsis: First female councilor in her Iranian village, Sara Shahverdi challenges tradition by teaching girls to ride motorcycles and fighting child marriage, while facing doubts about her motives.

Cutting Through Rocks is not rated by the MPA. The film includes adult themes and profanity. Children under the age of 5 may not be admitted.

Doors will open approximately 30 minutes prior to each screening. Guests can enjoy a special selection of music videos from Annapurna Interactive’s RPG Musical, People of Note, in the lobby while waiting to enter. Alumni from SVA’s BFA Computer Art, Computer Animation and Visual Effects program — Timothy Doolen and Ben Meyer — served on the creative team of the video game.

Ticket Information

All After School Special 2026 screenings are free and open to the public. General Admission RSVPs via Eventbrite are appreciated, but not necessary, and do not guarantee admittance. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you would like to attend this event, but require assistive devices and/or accommodations, please email [email protected] or call 212-592-2980 at least one week prior.

Concessions Information

SVA Theatre does not offer concessions, but will offer water to guests.

Please contact [email protected] with questions. Guests subject to change.