Rookie Awards 2021 | Film of the Year
3D Animation
Looking for the very best in 3D animated short films. The films can be created by both teams and individuals. Trailers and unfinished projects will be considered.

Winners
On behalf of the sponsors and judges, The Rookies would like to congratulate the following category winners.
Winner

New Tricks
This is my Senior Thesis project for Ringling College of Art and Design. I designed, modeled, textured, rigged, animated, lit, and composited all the characters and assets in the piece. I focused heavily on creating a unique story in a genre that I love and designing an off-beat, grotesque world to match it.
Runner up

Final Deathtination
Final Deathtination is my senior thesis film. I was responsible for all aspects from storyboards to final rendering. The film is about a suicidal man who is about to hang himself but then encounters Death who is a "travel agent". Death tries to find the best place to die and together they go on a world tour.
Highly Commended

STRANDED
"Stranded" is a student short film made during our graduation year in 2020 at ESMA Montpellier. Directed by Alvin AREVALO-ZAMORA, Florent SANGLARD, Maxime SALVATORE, Thomas SPONY-IPIENS, Alwin DUREZ, Quentin GARAUD and Alex TREGOUET.
Highly Commended

Barking Orders
This project is the culmination of everything I've learned at Ringling and hopefully will be my passport to new experiences and memories at studios and festivals around the world.
Highly Commended

Short film: "La Vida de una Piñata"
“La Vida de una Piñata'' is a colorful CGI graduation film by Elena Heller, Marina Kunz, Kai Müri and Raphael Pfyffer made at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts.
Highly Commended

DEAD END - FILM
Dead End - Student Film.
DIRECTED BY Robin ANDRE-BOURGUIGNON, David BRUYERE, Romain EUVRARD, Leia PERON, Antoine PERRIER-CORNET and Maxime RECUYER.
MUSIC : Anthony d’Amario & Ed Rig
SOUND EFFECTS : Guillaume Boissot & Fabien Crousillac
SOUND DESIGN & MIXING : Fabien Crousillac
MOTION CAPTURE ACTRESS : Olive Dorner
People's Choice

Trésor - Short Film
Trésor is a short animated film made during our graduation year at Ecole Des Nouvelles Images in 2020. Directed by Alexandre Manzanares, Guillaume Cosenza, Philipp Merten and Silvan Moutte -- Roulet.
Honorable Mentions
The following winners made a lasting impression on the judging panel and secured highly sought after badges.
Category Brief
The primary focus for this category is 3D Animation. The judges are looking for short films that are 100% computer generated. The films should be similar to what you’d expect to see from Pixar or Dreamworks. The films can still have a realistic feel to them, but if your film includes live-action plates please submit to the Visual Effects category instead.
Important Notes
- Your film must be 100% computer generated with no live action plates included.
- You must submit a completed film or teaser trailer. Single assets and clips will not be considered.
- We accept films currently on the Film Festival Circuit. These films will not be shared publicly, however please include a password that will be securely shared with our judging panel.
- Please include supporting material with your finished film. The judges need to better understand the process, the challenges and how your film was created.
- Team entries are allowed. Make sure that only one team member submits the project and tag any additional team members as project collaborators.
- Films must not have been released prior to June 2020.
- Ask questions on our Discord Channel if you need help.
- Review Winning Entries from last year that were selected by our judges.
- Watch this video demonstration that shows how to create a perfect entry.
Requirements & Deliveries
- Read the Rules to make sure you are eligible to enter.
- No professional work may be included in your entry.
- Share your process with the judging panel by including supporting material, not only finished work.
Judging Criteria
The judges are looking for artists or teams that have created a film that is not only creatively and technically sound, but also tells a great story. They are looking for artists or teams with a passion for film making and have worked hard to hone their skills. The judges will be considering your overall presentation, technical skills, creative skills and story telling.
How to enter
- Click Submit Entry button to create an entry page.
- Upload your best images, videos and supporting media using our entry page builder.
- Select ‘Film of the Year > 3D Animation’ as your nominated category.
- Add details including a cover image, title, description, tags, and software used.
- Accept rules and confirm eligibility.
- Confirm & Submit your entry to judging panel.