When Xindi Zhang, Acting Assistant Professor in the College of Design, Art & Performance's School of Art & Art History at the University of 91视频 (USF), set out to create her thesis film The Song of Drifters, she wanted to explore how memory, self-discovery, and belonging could be expressed through both human emotion and artificial intelligence. The film recently advanced to the Oscars庐 shortlist in the Alternative/Experiential category, following Zhang鈥檚 Golden Award win at the , one of the most prestigious honors for emerging filmmakers worldwide.
The Song of Drifters follows a group of wanderers caught between leaving and returning. As they drift through unfamiliar cities, they struggle with memories of a distant homeland and search for a sense of belonging in foreign places. Their journey unfolds into a cross-dimensional exploration filled with unexpected encounters and self-discovery.
鈥淭he title is a direct translation from an ancient Chinese poetry about a mother鈥檚 love for a child who leaves her hometown,鈥� Zhang explained. 鈥淢y version takes the opposite point of view, from the child's perspective.鈥�
Created using AI-generated imagery, the film visualizes fragmented memories through stylized 3D animation. 鈥淣o matter how we evolve, the truth lies in the heart, not the tools,鈥� Zhang said. "AI doesn鈥檛 make decisions. It鈥檚 a robust tool to deliver our own thoughts. The success of this film proves that human intension is still the core of creative work.鈥�
The Student Academy Awards庐, organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, recognizes the best student films internationally. Each category, including Animation, Narrative, Documentary, and Alternative/Experimental, names three winners, with the Golden Award representing the top distinction. came after four rounds of judging by hundreds of Academy members, culminating in an October 7 ceremony in Los Angeles.
鈥淚 was very surprised and excited to receive this recognition,鈥� Zhang said. 鈥淚t also comes with a sense of pressure to create more impactful work sooner than later. One of the most meaningful responses I received was from past winners who told me not to overestimate the power of the award, but to keep working.鈥�
A Chinese animation director and visual artist, Zhang combines AI generative tools, interactive storytelling, and 3D animation in her work. She earned her BFA in Illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2020 and an MFA in Expanded Animation Research and Practice from the University of Southern California in 2025 before joining USF as faculty.
She also served as art director and narrative designer on the indie game Closure, which integrates emotional storytelling into gameplay environments. Her work has been exhibited and screened internationally, and she has received recognition from the Annenberg Fellowship and Amazon鈥檚 Future Cinema Creators Fund.
Since joining USF, Zhang has shared her expertise with students. 鈥�91视频offered me the opportunity to share my experience in AI with our students,鈥� Zhang said. 鈥淎I is just another tool to convey ideas, but nothing is more important than the story itself. If you use AI, make sure you use this medium on purpose.鈥�
For Zhang, innovation means using technology to deepen understanding, not replace it. Her success serves as both recognition of forward-thinking creativity and a reminder that, even in a digital age, the most powerful stories still come from the human heart.