Press Release Animationsinstitut, Ludwigsburg, August 28, 2025

The Student Academy Award in the Animation category goes to “A SPARROW’S SONG” – a diploma project by director and producer Tobias Eckerlin, which was created at the Animationsinstitut of the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg. From over 3,000 submissions from 988 universities worldwide, 14 winners were selected for the 52nd Student Academy Awards. For the eighth time, the most coveted international prize among film schools goes to Ludwigsburg

This is a great honour for the team: “We feel truly overwhelmed and are incredibly happy about the Student Oscar,” says Tobias Eckerlin. “This is one of the greatest accolades you could wish for!” Alongside Eckerlin, Vincent Maurer (Technical Director), Elias Weber (Lead Character Artist), Lilli-Luisa Heckmann und Jiro Magracia (Lead Animators), Rebecca Liebelt (Groom Artist), and many others contributed to the project. “Thank you to the Academy and the entire team behind A SPARROW’S SONG!”

“A SPARROW’S SONG” is a 3D animated film inspired by a true story. It deals with the story of an elderly widow who rediscovers her joy in life during World War II through an unexpected connection with an injured sparrow. Eckerlin’s work is a moving homage to the human ability to find hope even during difficult times.

Arne Braun. State Secretary in the Ministry of Science, Research and Arts Baden-Württemberg: “What a celebration not only for the new Student Academy Award winner Tobias Eckerlin and the entire team at the Filmakademie, but even for the entire film-LÄND Baden-Württemberg. Time and again, numerous great films are produced at the Filmakademie. It is only right that they celebrate outstanding successes around the world, like they are today. We can all be very proud of this. Congratulations!”

Dr. Andreas Bareiß, Managing Director of the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, adds enthusiastically: “What a phenomenal success! Not only for Tobias and his team but also the entire Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg. This is the eighth Student Academy Award going to Ludwigsburg. This further strengthens our top position among the world’s leading film schools – which is reflected not only, but also in the number of Academy Awards. I am absolutely delighted!”

Dr. Jan Pinkava, Director of the Animationsinstitut, is equally proud of his graduates’ success: “Congratulations to Tobi and the “Sparrow’s Song” team! To receive an Academy Award is a great honour and I am delighted for the team, the Animationsinstitut and the entire Filmakademie. Great to see such recognition for our talented students, and for the quality of our school. Good luck in New York!”

The Student Academy Award, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, is considered the film industry’s most important award for student projects. The Student Academy Awards are presented in four categories: Alternative/Experimental, Animation, Documentary and Narrative. The three best films in each category receive a gold, silver or bronze award.

Tobias Eckerlin, along with other Student Academy Awards winners, will participate in a programme in New York that includes museum visits, a dinner with Academy members and a wide variety of coaching opportunities and will last several days. The programme will culminate in the awards ceremony on Monday, October 6, at the New York Film Festival. There, the team will find out whether they will receive the so-called “Student Oscar” in gold, silver or bronze. In addition, all Student Academy Award-winning films are eligible for the regular Oscars.

Source: Press Release Animationsinstitut | More about the Student Academy Awards 2025 here | More about the project and the other Animationsinsitut nominees here for even more information about the project and our other nominees