Two Students Created A Short Animation That Changed Their Lives – It Won 59 Awards And Got Them Jobs At Pixar And Disney
Short films have a unique ability to tell powerful stories in just a few minutes. Some leave audiences in awe, others bring them to tears, and a select few go on to shape the careers of their creators.
For aspiring animators, getting a foot in the door at studios like Disney and Pixar is a dream come true. While many take years to land such opportunities, some manage to grab attention early with projects that showcase their talent.
Every year, film and animation schools produce remarkable projects that go unnoticed. But once in a while, a student film captivates audiences, racks up awards, and changes the trajectory of its creators’ careers.
One such film is ‘The Present’ – a touching animated short that won over audiences worldwide. At its heart, it’s a story about perspective, acceptance, and the unexpected ways we grow.
A grumpy little boy, who’s into violent video games, receives a surprise present from his mother. When he opens it, he’s disgusted with what’s inside. But after a while, things change.
Watch below
‘The Present’ was created by Jacob Frey (writer, director, animator) and Markus Kranzler (rendering, lighting, shading). The two students presented it as a thesis short from the Institute of Animation, Visual Effects and Digital Postproduction at the Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg in Ludwigsburg, Germany.
‘The Present’ was screened at over 180 film festivals and won 59 international awards. Frey and Kranzler received job offers from Disney and Pixar respectively and they are presently employed with the studios.
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