Southeastern graduate student recognized with Emmy Award

Southeastern Louisiana University graduate student and animator Thomas Nealsson of Hammond recently won a Student Emmy Production Award for Animation, Graphics and Special Effects from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Suncoast Chapter with his animated series trailer “Legends From Another Earth.”

Nealsson’s award was announced at the Suncoast Chapter Student Production Awards held at the University of Miami and was the only winner selected within his category.

His animated short film is part of a larger project that began as an undergraduate assignment.

“I recently returned to the project in the form of an animated trailer,” said Nealsson. “The film serves as both a proof of concept and a personal challenge to continue drawing, writing, and daydreaming about these quirky characters.”

Nealsson’s honor marks the fifth consecutive Student Production Award for content produced by Southeastern students. “Legends From Another Earth,” was also a prizewinner at Southeastern’s inaugural 2024 “Take Your Shot” Film Festival held last April and sponsored by the Southeastern Channel.

Since 2005, Southeastern students have claimed over 12 Emmy® honors within the annual Suncoast Competition.