Film student earns academy recognition

Teng Cheng, a graduate student majoring in animation and cinematic arts, has been announced as a winner in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 41st Student Academy Awards competition.

Cheng is one of 15 students selected, and was awarded under the animation category for his film “Higher Sky.” The other four categories include Alternative,  Documentary, Narrative and Foreign Film.

The Student Academy Awards, established in 1972, aims to recognize premier work in filmmaking at the collegiate level, according to their website.

Student winners hailed from universities all over the world, including for the first time the Tel Aviv University in Israel and the Northern Film School in the United Kingdom.

Cheng’s animated short depicts a Kung Fu encounter between a monkey and a swallow throughout an elaborately designed jungle.

He and the other winners will be honored at the DGA Theater in Hollywood on Saturday June 7th. Gold, silver and bronze medal placements in each category will also be announced.