appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Vincenzo La Torre

Chief Editor, Style; Fashion Editor, Post Magazine


The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) is best known as the organisation behind the Oscars – the entertainment world’s most prestigious awards – but for over 50 years the entity has also been supporting young talent through the Student Academy Awards (SAA).
Established in 1972, the competition invites college and university students from around the world to submit films in four categories: animation, documentary, live action narrative and alternative/experimental.
The award ceremony normally takes place in Los Angeles, where the Academy is based, but in 2024 it was held in London – in partnership with the BFI London Film Festival – and last year in New York during the New York Film Festival.

The 53rd edition took place at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where students from countries such as France, the UK, India and China presented their work and got the opportunity to experience North America’s most important film festival.
“This is all part of the academy’s drive to be a more global organisation,” said Bill Kramer, CEO of AMPAS, in an interview in Toronto, adding that holding the event at festivals such as TIFF gives students the chance to go to screenings, take part in panel talks, learn about the industry, and network with fellow students and filmmakers.

For each category, the Academy selects three works to be awarded a bronze, silver and gold prize. This year alone, the Academy received 2972 submissions from around the world. Among the gold prize recipients was Lei He, who won in the alternative/experimental category. Titled Drifting, her black-and-white short combines fiction and non-fiction to explore the life of a miner in Shanxi Province, where she grew up.

The winner of the narrative category was The Dragon Letter by Stanzin Jigmet from Ladakh, a city in India near Tibet, while the gold prize in the documentary section went to Lara Dihmis, a New York University graduate who in The Lost People of Petra explored the plight of the Bdoul tribe in Jordan.

“As an up-and-coming filmmaker, being here has been the most incredible opportunity,” said Dihmis before the ceremony. “To see all the actors and amazing directors, producers and meeting my fellow award winners has been very inspiring and has given me a real boost to want to be on an even bigger stage and do bigger things.”

Given that past recipients of the award include household names such as Spike Lee, Robert Zemeckis and Trey Parker, Dihmis has a point. As part of the programme, all the winning films are also eligible to compete for an actual Oscar in the animated short film, live-action short film or documentary short film category.
At various panels and talks, the students got the chance to ask questions to industry professionals about topics such as the rise of AI, how to build a community – especially in niche categories such as documentary filmmaking – the importance of storytelling and even practical matters such as how to get funding for their projects.

TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey was thrilled to have the awards in Toronto this year. The festival is known for championing independent filmmakers and for its global perspective. This year’s sleeper hit Obsession, for instance, premiered at TIFF in 2025, before becoming an unexpected global blockbuster.
“If there is talent there, if there’s an original voice, and if it continues to be an original voice, if a filmmaker keeps making work that’s pushing the boundaries or his own boundaries as an artist, then I think institutions like ours, have the privilege of supporting those artists by presenting their work,” said Bailey in an interview on the day of the event.

The night before the SAA awards ceremony, Bailey attended the TIFF Tribute Awards, which began in 2019. The awards, which like the SAA are supported by watchmaker Rolex, honour individuals who have made significant contributions to cinema. At this year’s ceremony, A-list stars such as Helen Mirren, Penélope Cruz, Seth Rogen and Isabelle Huppert took the stage alongside lesser-known creatives like Polish cinematographer Adam Pietkiewicz and director Siân Heder.

The SAA and the TIFF Tribute Awards couldn’t be more different from each other but two topics that constantly came up during thank-you speeches – whether they were given by Oscar winners like Coda director Heder or a student filmmaker exploring her lack of sex drive in a tongue-in-cheek short video – were the vital role of storytelling and a new-found yearning for sharing collective experiences amid the rise of streaming networks.

During the festival, TIFF Lightbox, the cultural centre where many screenings take place, was packed with fans from all walks of life lining up to catch screenings, a clear sign that the moviegoing experience is here to stay. Over the summer, blockbusters such as The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day and smaller productions made on a shoestring like the aforementioned Obsession and Backrooms, broke records at the box office.
“We want people to go back to theatres. We want people to experience cinema in a theatrical setting,” said Kramer. “It is where filmmakers create their art form to be seen.”
“Young people are driving that interest, whether it is films that are about Gen Z or films that are about queer characters or films that reflect a kind of an identity that audiences are craving,” added Bailey. “That’s the other thing that’s driving this, not simply big spectacle films, as great as they are. It’s also films that feel very intimate and personal to people who haven’t had the opportunity to experience them together.”

Earlier this year, the Academy launched the Academy Marquee Theater List, which will recognise the most exceptional movie theatres around the world and their efforts to preserve and champion the movie-going experience.
In spite of young people’s new-found love for going to the movies, however, filmmakers with a different point of view – both established ones and emerging ones – still struggle to find funding for their work. Luxury companies have started to play a key role in supporting them, from Saint Laurent funding award-winning movies such as Emilia Pérez through its Saint Laurent Productions platform to A24’s recently announced partnership with Dior and Chanel’s long-time support of female filmmakers.

“Brands understand the value of storytelling to reach audiences and the power of filmmaking and cinematic storytelling to reach people in a very profound way so I don’t think it’s a bad thing,” says Kramer about luxury houses’ involvement in filmmaking. “It’s interesting and it’s not new. You’re seeing a lot more of it happening now because I think this is the world that we’re living in; it’s about visual storytelling in a way that we have never seen. So to me, it’s logical.”
As part of its Perpetual Arts Initiative, Rolex has been supporting cinema and the arts for more than five decades and has partnered with AMPAS since 2017. Filmmakers such as James Cameron and Martin Scorsese and actors like Leonardo DiCaprio are Rolex testimonees. The watchmaker, however, doesn’t get directly involved in filmmakers’ work nor does it expect its products to be featured in their movies.

Rolex’s focus is on transmission and mentorship, as Bailey explained while talking about his long-time relationship with the brand. “I’ve been fortunate enough to sit on a couple of juries, to identify protégés and mentors,” said Bailey. “You’ve got an established filmmaker like Spike Lee or Zhang Yimou, who, through Rolex’s resources, is able to actually find international filmmakers at the beginning of their career, and they spend two years together. This is a remarkable programme to elevate a younger filmmaker but also the mentor and [connect] them with a new generation. Brands don’t have to do that but when they do, it really makes a difference.”


Heart of the Beast review: Brad Pitt and his loyal combat dog brave the Alaskan wilderness

Meet Sienna Miller’s daughter, Marlowe Sturridge, who attended the premiere of War

What Hong Kong cinema can take away from a popular Chinese war film

Meet Gary Oldman’s wife, Gisele Schmidt, who hit the Emmys red carpet with the Slow Horses star

Cinema

Student Academy Awards 2026: Oscars body champions emerging film talent at TIFF

The winners at the 53rd Student Academy Awards at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival. Photo: AFP

British actress Gemma Chan was one of the presenters at the 53rd Student Academy Awards at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival. Photo: AFP

Animated film Cows was one of the winners at the Student Academy Awards. Photo: Handout

Student Academy winner Lei He presented a black and white short titled Drifting. Photo: AFP

A still from Drifting by Lei He. Photo: handout

Student Academy winner Lara Dihmis at the event. Photo: AFP

Cameron Bailey, CEO of the Toronto International Film Festival. Photo: AFP

AMPAS CEO Bill Kramer at the TIFF Tribute Awards during the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival. Photo: AFP

Seth Rogen poses on the red carpet for the Toronto International Film Festival Tribute Awards. Photo: AP

Spanish actress Penélope Cruz at the TIFF Tribute Awards. Photo: dpa

The Last People of Petra by Lara Dihmis won the gold prize in the documentary category. Photo: Handout

The Dragon Letter by Stanzin Jigmet was part of the line-up this year. Photo: handout

The Panic Inside by Matthias Strasser won the silver prize in the animation category. Photo: Handout

New York Fashion Week 2026: Calvin Klein’s minimalist chic, Michael Kors’ polished glam and other highlights

Different visions of chic at Altuzarra and Calvin Klein spring/summer 2027. Photos: Handout

Bold colours at Michael Kors Collection. Photo: Reuters

The Michael Kors Collection show took place at MoMA (Museum of Modern Art). Photo: Reuters

Sequin embellishments on a coat at Michael Kors Collection. Photo: Reuters

The perfect pantsuit at Calvin Klein Collection. Photo: Handout 

A touch of colour in the predominantly monochrome line-up. Photo: Handout

A beautiful strapless dress at Calvin Klein Collection. Photo: Handout

Kaia Gerber opened the Khaite show. Photo: Handout

Lingerie dressing at Khaite. Photo: Handout

The opening look at Altuzarra spring summer 2027. Photo: Handout

Menswear details such as shirt cuffs on a blouse. Photo: Handout

A terrific animal print skirt suit. Photo: Handout

One of the final looks. Photo: Handout

Boho vibes at Anna Sui. Photo: AFP

Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Tag Heuer and the rise of pastel watches

Norqain’s Freedom Chrono Enjoy Life Sprinkles Pink is a playful take on pastels. Photo: Handout

Hublot’s The Big Bang flagship is another model drenched in pastels. Photo: Handout

The Tag Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph has a whole lot of pastel selections. Photo: Handout

Dior has three new versions of its La D de Dior watch in soft pink, blue and yellow.  Photo: Handout

Serena Williams was spotted wearing a pink 37mm Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore in her match against Maya Joint at Wimbledon on June 30. Photo: Getty Images

Audemars Piguet’s 37mm Royal Oak Offshore comes in turquoise, light blue or bright pink. Photo: Handout

The 37mm Royal Oak Offshore from Audemars Piguet. Photo: Handout

Meet Perry Mattfeld, who plays Ricky in Chad Powers alongside Glen Powell

Glen Powell stars opposite Perry Mattfeld in the hit Hulu series Chad Powers. Photo: @perrymattfeld/Instagram

A scene from Chad Powers featuring Glen Powell (left) and Perry Mattfeld. Photo: @perrymattfeld/Instagram

Perry Mattfeld at a Chad Powers event in September. Photo: @perrymattfeld/Instagram 

Perry Mattfeld hails from California. Photo: @perrymattfeld/Instagram

(From left) Perry Mattfeld, Emmy Rossum and Jessica Szohr in 2017. Photo: @perrymattfeld/Instagram

Perry Mattfeld with her husband, Mark Sanchez, and stepson, Daniel, in 2023. Photo: @perrymattfeld/Instagram

Meet ‘Choosin’ Texas’ singer Ella Langley’s parents, Jason and Heather Langley

Country star Ella Langley shares a close bond with her parents, Jason and Heather. Photo: @ellalangleymusic/Instagram

Ella Langley enjoys hunting with her father, Jason Langley. Photo: @ellalangleymusic/Instagram

Ella Langley celebrates her 27th birthday in May with her family. Photo: @ellalangleymusic/Instagram

Meet LaMonica Garrett, who plays Tucker in Taylor Sheridan’s Lioness

LaMonica Garrett’s previous “Sheridanverse” appearance was in the Yellowstone prequel, 1883. Photo: @lamonicagarrett/Instagram

LaMonica Garrett plays Quick Reaction Force operative Tucker in Lioness. Photo: @lamonicagarrett/Instagram

LaMonica Garrett was named after former Oakland Raiders quarterback Daryle Lamonica. Photo: @lamonicagarrett/Instagram

LaMonica Garrett has appeared in television series such as NCIS and Suits. Photo: @lamonicagarrett/Instagram

LaMonica Garrett believes he would be a natural fit for Taylor Sheridan’s Landman. Photo: @lamonicagarrett/Instagram

LaMonica Garrett shares a son with his wife, Mina Ivanova. Photo: @mina.ivanova.garrett/Instagram

Magazines

Style

Lifestyle

Entertainment News

Hosted at the Toronto International Film Festival and supported by Rolex, the awards connect a new generation of filmmakers with the global industry


Hosted at the Toronto International Film Festival and supported by Rolex, the awards connect a new generation of filmmakers with the global industry.


Student Academy Awards 2026: Oscars body champions emerging film talent at TIFF

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Hosted at the Toronto International Film Festival and supported by Rolex, the awards connect a new generation of filmmakers with the global industry

Hosted at the Toronto International Film Festival and supported by Rolex, the awards connect a new generation of filmmakers with the global industry