Hey, I have zero experience working with 3d modelling packages, but I'd love to learn how to work with them. So, my final idea is to create mini animated movies. Should I go with 3ds? Maya? Huge thanks

lol, i would not even attempt an animated movie for many many months/a year. 3d modeling is not as easy as some think it is to get into. it takes much time and practice to be able to make somethign reconizable, let alone animate. that is unless your idea of a mini animated movie is a sphere bouncing around or whatever. but even then i'd recommend to just skip animation and learn modeling first.
as far as the modeling program. there are free ones, but their workflow and gui is so horrible i would stick with the commercial ones. between 3ds max and maya i'd go with 3ds max. however you should download the demos of each and see for yourself.