Columbia Animation Students’ Film Selected for New York Short Animation Festival

A team of Columbia College Chicago Animation students is gaining national attention with "Hitchhiker," a darkly imaginative short film produced through the college's Animation Production Studio (APS) course. The film has been officially selected for the Spring 2025 New York Short Animation Festival and will be screened online on June 14.
Developed under the guidance of Associate Professor Ronald Fleischer, the APS course simulates a professional studio environment where students collaborate across the full production pipeline-from pitching and storyboarding to design, animation, and final rendering.

"Animation Production Studio is our two-semester capstone experience required for all seniors," says Fleischer. "They learn how to collaborate with people they don't know. They learn the importance of deadlines and the value of working as a team without ego. And hopefully, they learn something about themselves, too."

This year's project began with a visual pitch by student Mo Reed, who later became one of the film's co-directors. "Hitchhiker" tells the story of a mysterious roadside encounter and gradually evolves into a stylized exploration of isolation, memory, and identity. The class collaboratively developed the story through visual storytelling techniques, relying on a dynamic process of discussion, storyboarding, editing, and revision.

Under the leadership of student directors, producers, and art directors, the production team worked together to ensure consistent design, manage deadlines, and maintain creative momentum.
Staff member Zachary Wendeln, who supports festival submissions for the School of Design, is helping the team prepare for the upcoming screening. The students are also exploring the possibility of attending an in-person event in New York this fall.

The New York Short Animation Festival celebrates emerging talent from around the world, and the selection of "Hitchhiker" reflects the growing visibility and creative excellence of Columbia's Animation program. According to Fleischer, it's part of a bigger pattern.

"Last year, our class produced 'Frankie,' which became an official selection in nine festivals and won several awards. This year, 'Hitchhiker' has already been entered into about 20 festivals," he says. "It's an exciting time for the program, and our students are proving they're ready for the next level."

Learn more about Columbia's Animation and Computer Graphics program.

• Design

Recent News

• Columbia Animation Students' Film Selected for New York Short Animation Festival
• Announcing Suzanne McBride as Columbia's New Interim Provost
• The Spring 2025 Semester in Review
• 'Unwoven:' Columbia Students Curate Connection and Courage at TEDx Conference
• Columbia Students Bring Game Day Style to Chicago Sky Season Opener