Four projects, three festivals – our students are celebrating international success
This summer, four of our students' projects will be showcased at prestigious festivals — such as Annecy and Tribeca — and one has even been nominated for a BAFTA Student Awards! We’re delighted by the international recognition and warmly congratulate the teams on this fantastic achievement!
Want to learn more about these amazing projects? Keep on reading!
BRITISH ACADEMY FILM AWARD
A SPARROW'S SONG, a diploma film directed by Tobias Eckerlin, has been nominated for the BAFTA Student Awards – a special honour for emerging filmmakers from around the world.
The 3D-animated film, inspired by a true story, follows an elderly widow in the midst of World War II who struggles to overcome grief and rediscover joy in her life. Day by day, she serves as an air raid warden in the crowded shelters, witnessing the suffering of children and others. One morning, she finds a dying sparrow and hopes to save its fragile life. As the sparrow gradually heals, a bond grows between them, and the bird begins to respond to her piano playing—a shared language that builds a bridge. During bombing raids, she carries the sparrow to the shelters, where she plays the piano, and the sparrow sings its song to comfort the children and offer hope to those around her. Through this newfound purpose and unexpected alliance, her life begins to change.
Find out more and see the full credits here.
TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL
The graduation film LINIE 12 has been invited to the Whoopi’s Wonderful World of Animation section at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival – curated by none other than Whoopi Goldberg. It was wirtten by Sarah Schulz who also directed the film together with Christopher Schmier.
LINIE 12 takes place in a world dominated by towering, steep mountains. Pedantic train conductor Peregrin navigates his train over huge bridges and along dangerous ridges. Like clockwork, he follows the world’s very own rhythm - he has to, if he wants to bring the passengers safely to their destination.
One day, the chaotic musician Clara smuggles herself into his machine room. She is immediately fascinated by the innate rhythm of the mighty machine, and begins improvising a lively piece. When disaster strikes, Clara and Peregrin have to overcome their differences in order to save the train from derailing.
Find out more and see the full credits here.
FESTIVAL D'ANIMATION ANNECY
This year, two projects from Animationsinstitut will be showcased at the Annecy Film Festival: DETLEV and LICHTUNG!
Stop-Motion Film: DETLEV
DETLEV is the graduation project of Ferdinand Ehrhardt (direction) and is competing in the Graduation Films category.
In this stop-motion film, a perpetually freezing street cleaner drives to a remote petrol station every evening to order a microwaved slice of Hawaiian toast. He indulges in it through a secretly bizarre ritual — it’s the only thing that brings him warmth each day. Until, one night, a broadly grinning construction worker catches him in the act...
Find out more and see the full credits here.
Click here to watch an interview with the director!
VR Experience: LICHTUNG
LICHTUNG is a VR game competing in the VR Works category. Directed by Interactive Media student Aria Wolf, it was developed as part of the AniPlay programme in collaboration with a team of fellow students.
In LICHTUNG, players enter a quiet yet unfamiliar world that gradually awakens as they explore their surroundings. The more they interact with it, the more it opens up – revealing its light.
Find out more and see the full credits here.
