2026 Student Academy Awards: FABW is the only German film school to make it to the finals with two animated films

 

It is a major success for the Animationsinstitut of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg: SEND NUDES and THE PANIC INSIDE, two of the institute’s graduation films, have been selected for the final round of the 2026 Student Academy Awards. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has named a total of 28 films from four categories as finalists. The two animated films are the only remaining German entries in the final round of the entire competition.

 

SEND NUDES, directed by David Sick and produced by Rahul Rao Kanuparthi, tells the story of two young lovers in a long-distance relationship at the end of the 16th century. As their parents do not allow them to meet, they exchange their fantasies via carrier pigeon. The 3D-animated short film combines a historical atmosphere with contemporary humour and playfully asks what modern sexting might have looked like during the Renaissance.

 

THE PANIC INSIDE, directed and written by Matthias Strasser and produced by Sabina Stöckler, tells the story of Jacob, a chronic people-pleaser. He breaks down under the pressure of constant expectations and ends up in a surreal liminal world. There, he is forced to confront his own needs. By combining 2D and 3D animation with live-action elements, the film explores themes of self-care, setting boundaries and personal freedom.

 

“I warmly congratulate our graduates. Their graduation films reflect exceptional creativity, outstanding craftsmanship and remarkable personal commitment,” says Prof. Dr. Andreas Bareiß, Director and Managing CEO of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg (FABW). “The fact that two of their films have been nominated for the Student Academy Awards, making the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg the only German film school represented in the competition’s final round, is a particular honour. This achievement reaffirms our commitment to combining excellence in teaching with the very best production facilities, while giving emerging talent the creative freedom to develop their own distinctive artistic voice.”

 

With two finalists in the Animation category, the Animationsinstitut is building on its recent successes at the Student Academy Awards. Last year, the graduation film A SPARROW’S SONG by Tobias Eckerlin was awarded the Gold Medal. This year, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg was represented in the competition with a total of three productions: the documentary film DREAMS OF A SLEEPING DRAGON, directed by Johann-Baptiste Schilling, reached the semi-finals.

 

"Animation gives filmmakers the freedom to imagine worlds that couldn't exist in any other medium. To have two animated short films selected as finalists by the the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is an extraordinary recognition of our students' artistic vision and creative ambition," says Dr. Jan Pinkava, Director of the Animationsinstitut. "The Student Academy Awards celebrate films that combine outstanding craft with original voices, and SEND NUDES and THE PANIC INSIDE do exactly that in two completely different ways. I couldn't be prouder of David, Matthias and everyone who helped bring these films to life. Congratulations, and good luck in Toronto!"

 

The Student Academy Awards, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, are among the most prestigious awards for student film productions worldwide. For the 2026 edition, 61 semi-finalists were initially selected from nearly 3,000 entries; now 28 finalists across four categories have been chosen. The winners of the Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals will be announced in August. The awards ceremony will take place on September 14, 2026, at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto.