THE annual Student Academy Awards is one of the most prestigious student film competitions in the United States.

    It has been held annually since 1975 for college and university filmmakers. Filmmakers submit their works, which can be no longer than 40 minutes, in one of five categories: animation, documentary, narrative, foreign and alternative.

    The films are now allowed to have hands-on involvement from professional filmmakers in “key positions,” including the roles of director, producer, editor or writer. Filmmakers submit their works to the academy by geographical region.

    Forty-five finalists were announced in early May. Academy members selected up to three finalists in each category to win gold, silver and bronze prizes. The winners went to Los Angeles for a week of film industry activities before attending the award ceremony.(Wang Yuanyuan)