The Student Academy Awards - three Student Films at the Semifinals

Tobias Eckerlin's  3D-animated film A SPARROW'S SONG was inspired by a true story. It 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.

Learn more about the project and find its full credits here.

In Julia Skala's diploma film POLLIWOG ten year old Marlene is struggling with her early pubescent, changing body while on a forest home trip with her classmates. She feels ashamed of her boobs growing. Therefore, she avoids to shower with the other girls and hides her evolving body under large sweatshirts. When the other kids start making fun of an oddly developed tadpole at the forest home museum, Marlene is weirdly identifying with it and decides to set it free.

Learn more about the project and find its full credits here.