Animation Showcase
The 2025 Big East Animation Showcase brings together the creative talents of student animators from across the conference, offering a platform for the next generation of storytellers to share their work. The following Big East institutions have each selected one standout student project to represent its program, resulting in a diverse collection of animated films that push artistic and technical boundaries.
Alienated
Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University
The story stars an alien going through his daily tasks over the course of 153 days. He lives in a humble home located in the calm and complacent countryside, alienated from most forms of human contact. He wakes up, brushes his teeth, eats a meal, then goes to sleep the same way every single day. As the days continue, the alien finds himself unable to get himself out of bed to proceed with his same old daily routine, finding it all an endless loop of loneliness. At the end of this off day, the alien is startled by a phone call.
Meet the “Alienated” Team
Brandon Marro (Art Design - Interactive Media- ADIM 2026) Director, Animation, 3D Backgrounds, Compositing, Concept Art, Storyboard, Sound Design,
Vanessa Gerbi (Art Design - Interactive Media- ADIM 2026) Concept Art, Animatic, Sound Design
Sinclare Broadhurst (Art Design - Interactive Media- ADIM 2025) Animatic, Sound Design, Video Editing
Aleksey Samuylov (Art Design - Interactive Media- ADIM 2025) 3D Backgrounds, Compositing
Nick Poulos (Art Design - Interactive Media- ADIM 2025) Concept art, Animatic, Editing
Sharman Barbhuiya (Biology 2025) 3D Backgrounds
Becky Civitillo (Art Design - Interactive Media- ADIM 2027) Concept art, Editing
Jason Hunte (Art Design - Interactive Media- ADIM 2025) Story Assistant
Jonathan Kirspel (Art Design - Interactive Media- ADIM 2026) 3D Backgrounds
ADIM at SHU
Art, Design and Interactive Multimedia
Rooted in theory and fostered by technology, the Art, Design, and Interactive Multimedia (ADIM) program prepares students to be conceptual, visual thinkers. The Interactive Multimedia concentration teaches students to use different forms of media and technology as creative tools for storytelling. Students take courses that focus on animation, modeling, videography, motion graphics, game design and photography. Courses are project-based and taught in a studio environment.
More about the Art, Design and Interactive Multimedia Program at Seton Hall
Providence College
Beyond the Tides
Providence College
Providence College
This animated film, using AI generative software, portrays 16-year-old Ann, who has spent most of her life in a sea-side home she once shared with her mother, a devoted nature researcher who passed away when Ann was young. Ann discovers her mother’s research notes, igniting a deep curiosity about the natural world her mother cherished. Inspired, she ventures into the forest and is captivated by its beauty. But her joy turns to despair when she encounters workers destroying the forest with chainsaws. Determined to honor her mother’s legacy, Ann educates herself on environmental law and rallies her community to pass a bill protecting the forest. She succeeds and then finds a note from her mother, revealing she was named after a rare flower symbolizing love and protection. Ann’s engagement with her mother’s mission—saving the forest—binds their lives forever, a testament to love and legacy.
Meet the “Beyond The Tides” Creator
Charlotte Tagliamonte (Marketing/Sociology 2026)
Charlotte Tagliamonte, a third-year student at Providence College, studies marketing and sociology. Possessing a passion for creativity and video creation, she hopes to pursue a career in the creative advertising world. Sociology provides unique perspectives on understanding people, while marketing equips her with skills to succeed in her future career.
Art & Art History At Providence College
Art & Art History
Providence College’s Art and Technology course, taught by Dr. Bing Huang, keeps students up-to-date on the latest technological advancements transforming our visual world and society as a whole. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the intersection of digital technology, art history, architecture, gaming, and design through exploratory research and critical reflection. The class covers Generative AI Arts, AI Movie, Metaverse, AR, VR, Game Engines, Photogrammetric modeling, NeRf, 360 Video, and AI Robotics. Students explore the potential of harnessing AI-driven tools to generate images, videos, and sound for movie production.
Perfect Casting
DePaul University
DePaul University
A skilled costume designer struggles to collaborate with an asocial creature actor who is scarily good at playing his monster character.
Meet the Creator, Autumn English
Autumn English (BFA in Animation Cinema Concentration 2024)
Autumn English is a filmmaker and animator based in Chicagoland. In recent years, she has collaborated with Bento Box Entertainment, directors at Nickelodeon Animation, and Easy Does It Records. "Perfect Casting" is her multi-award-winning capstone project, and one of its screenings included the Ottawa International Animation Festival's Salon des Refusés.
About DePaul’s School of Cinematic Arts
School of Cinematic Arts
Home to our cinema and animation programs, the place to learn your craft, to develop your creative voice, and to start your filmmaking career
Rabbit Hole
University of Connecticut
University of Conecticut
Rabbit Hole is a 2D animation exploring society’s growing addiction to technology. As social media and internet reliance surge, the benefits of connectivity come with a cost—many become so immersed in their online presence that they lose touch with their surroundings. This short animation encourages viewers to reflect on their own dependence on digital devices and the internet.
Meet the Creator
Annamaria Vdovenko (3D Animation 2025)
Annamaria Vdovenko is a CT-based illustrator, animator, and graphic designer. Raised in Simsbury, CT, her passion for illustration, film, and performance led her to pursue animation and design at UConn. Annamaria's work focuses deeply on storytelling, enabling her to showcase a distinct creativity and style in every piece she creates.
Digital Media & Design at UConn
UConn Digital Media & Design
With programs in Storrs and Stamford, Connecticut, UConn's Digital Media & Design (DMD) program empowers students to transform their creative passion into high-impact careers. Offering industry-focused concentrations in digital business strategy, culture, motion design, 3D animation, web/interactive media, game design, and film/video production, UConn DMD provides the skills, experience, and industry connections for student success.