How to create professional looking slide show?

I want to make a series of short slideshows with synchronized music tracks to show my teachers my photographs and designs at the final exam.
What would be the best (PC) software to make this in? It should be able to create a professional looking slideshow which can export in Quicktime format (this is important)

I’d like to use simple animations, like a small series of thumbnails at the bottom of the screen which enlarge in turn to full screen. Something like that.
(Other cool suggestions are always welcome! ;))

I tried after effects, but it’s a pretty tedious task for this.
Adobe Premiere could work i guess, but these programs aren’t really made to handle high-res images (?) …

Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanx!