Overview

• German director Tobias Eckerlin, a Filmakademie Baden‑Württemberg graduate, won the top Animation honor in New York for A Sparrow’s Song.
• The short, set in wartime London and based on a true story, centers on healing from trauma through helping others.
• Eckerlin developed the project over three years with contributions from more than 50 collaborators.
• Twelve student films were recognized across Narrative, Animation, Documentary, and Alternative/Experimental, with placements announced at the ceremony.
• This year’s competition drew over 3,000 submissions from nearly 1,000 institutions worldwide, reinforcing the awards’ track record as a launchpad for filmmakers such as John Lasseter, Spike Lee, Robert Zemeckis, and Cary Fukunaga.