The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has launched the 44th Student Academy Awards competition, the winners of which will be eligible for Oscars consideration. This year’s race features expanded international eligibility. Online submissions via FilmFreeway are open until Thursday, June 1, 2017.
This year’s Student Academy Awards ceremony will take place October 12 at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.
The SAAs now offer two options for students at non-US film schools to participate. In addition to CILECT member schools submitting one student film per international film school category, international students may now enter films that qualify through festivals recognized by the awards’ Executive Committee.
The US competition is open to all full-time undergraduate and graduate students whose films are made within the curricular structure of an eligible accredited institution.
Complete rules, the SAA qualifying film festivals list, and a link to the online submission platform are available at www.oscars.org/saa.
Previous SAA winners have gone on to receive 57 Oscar nominations, and have won or shared 10 awards. This year, 2016 Student Academy Award winner Daphne Matziaraki’s Gold Medal project 4.1 Miles was nominated in the Documentary Short Subject category. Past winners include animation luminaries Pete Docter, John Lasseter and Trey Parker.
