Xindi Zhang, Acting Assistant Professor at the University of South Florida, has made waves with her thesis film, The Song of Drifters. The film explores themes of memory, self-discovery, and belonging, integrating both human emotion and artificial intelligence. Following her Golden Award win at the prestigious 2025 Student Academy Awards®, the film recently made it to the Oscars® shortlist in the Alternative/Experiential category.
The Song of Drifters portrays wanderers grappling with nostalgia and the quest for belonging in unfamiliar cities. Created using AI-generated imagery, the stylized 3D animation presents fragmented memories while Zhang emphasizes that human intention remains central to creativity. Her background in illustration and expanded animation, coupled with her role in the indie game Closure, showcases her multidisciplinary expertise. At USF, she encourages students to use AI thoughtfully, prioritizing storytelling over technology. Zhang’s journey exemplifies that powerful narratives stem from the human heart, even amidst technological advancements.
