ESMA’s film *COWS* is now in the running for the Oscars
COWS, the graduation film by the Class of 2025 in 3D Animation and Special Effects at ESMA, has reached a major milestone in its international journey. The short film has officially been named one of the three winners in the Animation category at the 2026 Student Academy Awards, organised by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This marks a historic first for ESMA. Out of 2,972 entries from 894 institutions worldwide, COWS has made it into the top three in its category. The film is therefore already guaranteed to receive a medal – gold, silver or bronze – the colour of which will be revealed on 14 September 2026 in Toronto.
COWS ranked amongst the top three student animated films
Organised by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which also presents the Oscars, the Student Academy Awards recognise the best films made by students from around the world every year. A real springboard into the film industry, past winners have included Spike Lee, Robert Zemeckis and Pete Docter.
For this 53rd edition, nearly 3,000 films from almost 900 schools and universities were submitted to the Academy. Among them, COWS was named one of the three winners in the Animation category, alongside Gauze, from Gobelins, and The Panic Inside, from the Film Academy Baden-Württemberg.
The film is therefore guaranteed to win a medal — gold, silver or bronze — at the ceremony to be held on 14 September as part of the Toronto International Film Festival. This honour also marks a first for ESMA at the Student Academy Awards.
From the ESMA to the race for the Oscars
Directed by Nicolás Acevedo Ferraté, Valentin Brachet, Maxence Corriette, Tanguy Delepine, Eireen Failly, Jonathan Lally, Elio Molinaro, Yulia Nikitina and Alexandre Verspuce, COWS tells the story of a cow who is fed up with her daily routine and convinced that a better life awaits her on the farm on the other side of the road.
Through this simple and universal story, the short film plays with the idea that ‘the grass is always greener on the other side’, whilst showcasing the artistic and technical skills the students have developed throughout their course.
But COWS’s journey could now go even further. Its status as a winner at the Student Academy Awards paves the way for it to compete at the 99th Academy Awards, as award-winning films become eligible to compete in the relevant categories. COWS can therefore continue its journey in the race for Best Animated Short Film.
Further international recognition for ESMA
Having made it through the various stages of the Student Academy Awards selection process, COWS is now recognised as one of the most acclaimed student animation productions of the year. This award recognises not only the talent of its directors but also the collective effort of the entire film crew and the high artistic and technical standards upheld by the students at ESMA.
Congratulations to the whole COWS team on this outstanding achievement. Next stop: Toronto on 14 September, before perhaps continuing the journey all the way to the Oscars.