Two Films from the Animationsinstitut Reach the Finals of the 2026 Student Academy Awards
Press Release: Ludwigsburg, 10.07.2026
A major achievement for the Animationsinstitut of the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg: SEND NUDES and THE PANIC INSIDE have both 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 finalist films across four competition categories. The two animated shorts are the only remaining German entries in the final round of this year's 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. Forbidden from meeting by their parents, they exchange their fantasies through carrier pigeons. The 3D animated short combines a historical setting with contemporary humor, playfully imagining what modern-day sexting might have looked like during the Renaissance.
THE PANIC INSIDE, directed and written by Matthias Strasser and produced by Sabina Stöckler, follows Jacob, a chronic people-pleaser who collapses under the weight of constant expectations and finds himself in a surreal alternate dimension. There, he is forced to confront his own needs and learn how to set boundaries. Blending 2D and 3D animation with live-action elements, the film explores themes of self-care, personal freedom, and the courage to say no.
With two finalists in the Animation category, the Animationsinstitut continues its strong track record at the Student Academy Awards. Last year, the diploma film A SPARROW'S SONG by Tobias Eckerlin received the Gold Medal. This year, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg was represented in the competition by three productions in total. The documentary film DREAMS OF A SLEEPING DRAGON, directed by Johann-Baptiste Schilling, advanced to the semifinal round.
Presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Student Academy Awards are among the world's most prestigious honors for student filmmakers. For the 2026 edition, nearly 3,000 submissions were narrowed down to 61 semifinalists before 28 finalists across four categories were selected. The recipients of the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals will be announced in August. The awards ceremony will take place on September 14, 2026, during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto.
