Still: While You're Here- Ronald Zuidinga

The Student Academy Award is presented annually by the Academy, which also awards the Oscars, to the best international student film of the year. The prize is awarded in four categories: short drama, documentary, animation, and experimental films. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the semifinalists. 

Seven nominees will be chosen from this list of candidates at the end of August, based on a vote by Academy members. The winners will be announced during the Award ceremony, which will take place on October 6th in New York.

In While You’re Here Herman’s daughter Maartje and granddaughter Yula are deeply worried about him when he barely survives a heart attack. Herman thinks all this worrying is a fuss: after all, everyone dies eventually. However, when Yula convinces her grandfather to rehearse his funeral, Herman learns that this motto might have been a bit too simplistic.

The last time a Dutch film won a Student Academy Award was in 2021, Milou Gevers was awarded for her documentary Why Didn't You Stay for Me?. Previous winners include short drama films When Grey Is a Color (2017)  by Marit Weerheijm and Alaska (1990) by Mike van Diem.