Pressrelease Animationinstitute/ Filmacademy Baden Württemberg:
Graduation film A SPARROW’S SONG wins the world’s most prestigious award in animation and continues its international success story
Ludwigsburg, February 24th 2026
The diploma film A SPARROW’S SONG has won the Annie Award 2026 in the category Best Student Film. Created at the Animationsinstitut of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, the film was represented by director and producer Tobias Eckerlin, who accepted the award together with Lilli-Luisa Heckmann (Lead Animator) and Vincent Maurer (Technical Director) at the ceremony on February 21st 2026 in Royce Hall at the University of California, Los Angeles.
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With A SPARROW’S SONG recognised alongside another diploma project, THE UNDYING PAIN OF EXISTENCE, which was also nominated in the same category, the Animationsinstitut demonstrates once again the outstanding quality and international visibility of its student productions.
In October 2025, A SPARROW’S SONG could already achieve a Gold Student Academy Award, further establishing it as one of the most remarkable student animated films worldwide.
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.
The production involved 56 students and graduates from the Animationsinstitut, including core team members Tobias Eckerlin, Vincent Maurer (Technical Director), Elias Weber (Lead Character Artist), Lilli-Luisa Heckmann and Jiro Magracia (Lead Animators), and Rebecca Liebelt (Groom Artist).
Dr Jan Pinkava, Director of the Animationsinstitut, emphasises the significance of this achievement: “Wonderful! The Annie Awards are Hollywood’s highest honours for animation, open to the whole world. So we are delighted that Tobi Eckerlin’s diploma film “A SPARROW’S SONG” won the prize. Congratulations to Tobi and the entire team! The Filmakademie was especially honoured at this year’s Annie Awards, receiving 2 of the 5 nominations for Best Student Film. This recognition is a testament to the exceptional talent and outstanding teaching that we see every day at the Animationsinstitut of Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg.”
The Annie Awards are among the world’s most prestigious animation prizes and are presented by the International Animated Film Association (ASIFA) in Hollywood. The 53rd ceremony, which honoured the best animated works of 2025, took place on February 21st 2026 in Royce Hall at the University of California, Los Angeles. A SPARROW’S SONG is the third production from the Animationsinstitut to win an Annie Award; previously, eight projects from the institute had been nominated. Awards were presented in 32 competitive categories as well as four special prizes.
The Animationsinstitut and the entire Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg warmly congratulate the team of A SPARROW’S SONG on this outstanding achievement.
About the Animationsinstitut
The Animationsinstitut at Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg trains outstanding talents at the highest level in the fields of animation, visual effects, technical directing, animation/effects producing and interactive media. In addition, the institute runs a research & development department and curates the annual international conference FMX – Film & Media Exchange (www.fmx.de). For more information about studying at the Animationsinstitut visit www.animationsinstitut.de.