Published: September 16, 2025; Aithor: Julia Sonrisa
Address: 333 West 23rd Street, New York, NY 10011, United States
Phone: +1 212-592-2980
As part of After School Special: The 2025 School of Visual Arts Alumni Film & Animation Festival, we are pleased to present the NYC premiere of 7 Beats Per Minute (2024), produced by the National Film Board of Canada. This astonishing, award-winning documentary follows freediving champion Jessea Lu, who nearly died during a world-record attempt. The film follows the legendary freediver’s physical and mental journey back from the depths, with intimate cinéma vérité camerawork, astonishing underwater imagery, and raw personal interviews. Join director and fellow freediver Yuqi Kang (MFA 2016 Social Documentary Film) for a discussion following the film, moderated by current SVA student Katie Lawrence (MFA 2027 Photography, Video, and Related Media) and preceded by the NYC premiere of short films produced by OHuo Studio’s Song Lu (MFA 2021 Photography, Video, and Related Media) and Fan Yu (MFA 2023 Photography, Video, and Related Media).
Synopsis: Director Yuqi Kang’s documentary captures the descent of a lifetime, when freediving champion Jessea Lu returns to the site of her near-death experience to face the traumas of her past and find a way back to connection.
This film premiered at the 2024 South by Southwest film festival in Austin, TX.
7 Beats Per Minute is not rated by the MPAA, and some material may be inappropriate for children under the age of 13. Children ages 3 and under may not be admitted.
Doors will open approximately 30 minutes before each screening. Guests can enjoy a special selection of music videos by Amanda DiMartino (BFA 2017 Film) in the lobby while waiting to enter.
All After School Special 2025 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 svatheatre@sva.edu or call 212-592-2980 at least one week prior.
SVA Theatre does not offer concessions, but will offer water to guests.
Please contact svatheatre@sva.edu with questions. Guests are subject to change.
Time: 7:30 pm EST
Free!
Detailed information and discussion of the event.