Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

A SPARROW’S SONG wins Gold Student Academy Award!

Press Release Animationsinstitut, Oct. 7, 2025

The diploma film A SPARROW’S SONG by Tobias Eckerlin, produced at Animationsinstitut of the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg was officially awarded a Gold Student Academy Award on Monday, Oct. 6! The short film is one of only 12 award recipients, from more than 3,000 entries for the 52nd Student Academy Awards.

This prize is not only a special honour for the team, but also makes the film officially eligible for consideration for the 98th Oscars in 2026 – a significant milestone for Animationsinstitut as well, although not the first time!

A SPARROW’S SONG team (l.t.r.): Rebecca Liebelt, Jiro Magracia, Tobias Eckerlin, Vincent Maurer, Lilli-Luisa Heckmann & Elias Weber
A SPARROW’S SONG, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg

Tobias Eckerlin, director and producer, describes the ceremony as a unique experience and adds, on behalf of the entire team: “We are very grateful and incredibly happy about the recognition, the great time we had in New York, and the contacts we made there. A big thank you to the Academy, German Films, and the Animationsinstitut for their support! Now we are eagerly looking forward to next year’s Oscar ceremony.”

Dr. Jan Pinkava, Director of the Animationsinstitut, adds “We are thrilled at the success of A Sparrow’s Song, and delighted that the creativity and talent of the students of Animationsinstitut has once again been recognized with this Student Academy Award. Congratulations!”

A SPARROW’S SONG is a 3D animated short film based on a true story. It tells the story of an elderly widow during World War II, who unexpectedly draws new hope through her connection with an injured sparrow. Together, they spread this newfound hope and thus manage to offer some comfort to others in these difficult times.

In the day leading up to the awards ceremony, Tobias took part in a special Academy programme in New York – including panels with industry experts, media trainings and an exclusive dinner with high ranking representatives of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Accompanied by his core team – Lilli-Luisa Heckmann, Jiro Magracia, Vincent Maurer, Rebecca Liebelt and Elias Weber – he accepted the Gold Student Academy Award on behalf of all 56 students and graduates who contributed to this project

This marks already the eighth Student Academy Award for the Filmakademie and the second for Animationsinstitut – further proof of the outstanding quality of education at Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg and the international visibility of its diploma projects.

Source: Press Release Animationsinstitut

Live stream Student Academy Awards 2025, Award for A SPARROW’S SONG min. 37:10

Student Academy Awards 2025 – Two Animationsinstitut Diploma Films Nominated!

Press Release Animationsinstitut, Ludwigsburg, August 5, 2025

At this year’s Student Academy Awards two animated films produced at the Animationsinstitut of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg have been nominated as finalists. Out of more than 3,000 submissions, the diploma films “A SPARROW’S SONG” and “THE UNDYING PAIN OF EXISTENCE“, along with five other films have made it to the final round of the coveted ‘Student Oscars’ in the Animation category.

“A SPARROW’S SONG” by Tobias Eckerlin (director and producer) is inspired by a true story. A widowed air raid warden struggles to overcome her grief and rediscover joy in her life. In the midst of World War II, she finds a dying sparrow she hopes to save. As the bird slowly recovers, a deep bond forms between them, and the sparrow responds to her playing the piano – a shared language.
Trailer “A SPARROW’S SONG“

A Sparrow’s Song, Credits: Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg
A Sparrow’s Song, Team (from the left): Elias Weber, Tobias Eckerlin, Vincent Maurer & Lilli-Luisa Heckmann, FABW

In “THE UNDYING PAIN OF EXISTENCE“, written and directed by Oscar Jacobson, a nude model poses with statue-like composure at an elite art school – until a nasty mosquito bite puts his self-control to the test. Overwhelmed by the urge to itch, he spirals into an inner battle between the relentless pressure for perfection and his uncontrollable, animalistic instincts.
Trailer “THE UNDYING PAIN OF EXISTENCE“

The Undying Pain of Existence, Credits: Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg
The Undying Pain of Existence, Oscar Jacobson at his Diploma Showroom, FABW

Dr. Andreas Bareiß, Managing Director of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, on the nomination of the graduate films: “I am very happy for Tobias and Oscar and for everyone involved in the creation of these wonderful films. The nomination itself is a huge success, not only for the filmmakers, but also for the entire Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg. It puts focus on the fact that we are enabling the creation of outstanding work here. Now, I’m excitd for the awards ceremony and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for the teams.”

The Student Academy Award, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is considered the most prestigious honour for student projects in the film industry. The awards ceremony will take place on October 6, 2025 in New York.

Dr. Jan Pinkava, Director of the Animationsinstitut, is proud of the success of his graduates: “Congratulations to Tobi, Oscar and their brilliant teams, from all of us at Animationsinstitut! To be the only school with two finalists in the Student Academy Awards is indeed a great honour, and recognition of not only the talent of our students and our vital teaching culture, but also of the Filmakademie’s devotion and commitment to the future of animation. These enchanting films will find a delighted audience!”

Find out more about the Student Academy Awards 2025 here.

Check here for even more information about the projects.

Source: Press Release Animationsinstitut

Student Academy Awards 2025 Semifinalists announced!

Among the recently announced semifinalists of the 2025 Student Academy Awards are four projects from the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, including three from the Animationsinstitut!

“Kaulquappe (Polliwog)“ (Animation) by Julia Skala, more information
“A Sparrow’s Song“ (Animation) by Tobias Eckerlin, more information
“The Undying Pain of Existence“ (Animation) by Oscar Jacobson, trailer and more information
“Same, but different – The Image of Women in the Catholic Church“ (Documentary) by Eva-Maria Schauer

Congratulations to everyone involved, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed for the next stage of the selection process!

Complete list of semifinalists

Kaulquappe – Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg
A Sparrow’s Song – Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg
Trailer „The Undying Pain of Existence“

Filmakademie diploma film JUICE in Student Academy Awards 2023 semifinals!

Film still “Juice”, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg

Last week, the semi-finalists for the Student Academy Awards 2023 were announced in four categories. Among them is a diploma film from Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg‘s Animationinstitut! In the “Alternative/Experimental” category “SAFT” (“JUICE”) has made it to the next round.

The animated short film (Animation Director: Mona Keil, Producer: Isabella Braun, Concept/Design: Nele Seifert, Technical Directing: Paulo Scatena, Editing: Revan Sarikaya, Animation: Arne Hain, Production Design: Nele Seifert, Production Company: Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg) is about a bunch of round succulent and moist creatures that share their world with pesky little bugs, but one day, they squash them all. In response the creatures start to run dry. More about the film

We keep our fingers crossed! The Student Academy Awards 2023 finalists will be announced in mid-August, with the ceremony taking place in October.

Announcement on oscars.org