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SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 will take place this week at Sydney, Australia. As a reminder, this event is the Asian equivalent of SIGGRAPH, which takes place in North America. 3DVF is on site to cover the event.
The Computer Animation Festival will celebrate some of the best animations of 2023, including projects from young artists thanks to the Junior Computer Animation Festival.
Several French digital arts school projects are featured, such as Gobelins, Supinfocom Rubika animated shorts. Here is the Computer Animation Festival Trailer:
And the full press release, with trailers for specific shorts:
Global Animation Talent Unveiled at SIGGRAPH Asia 2023, Sydney
The 2023 Computer Animation Festival at SIGGRAPH Asia in Sydney, Australia celebrates the finest animations of 2023, and nurtures tomorrow’s animators at the debut of the Junior Computer Animation Festival.
Sydney, Australia, 5 December 2023 – Join us at the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) as we honor exceptional animators and teams at the SIGGRAPH Asia (CAF). This highly anticipated annual festival showcases a curated selection of the finest animations from 2023, shining a spotlight on the invaluable contributions of animators and their groundbreaking innovations. These contributions are driving the vibrant gaming and animation market, a market projected to reach a staggering USD 103.30 billion in revenue by 2026[1]. Don’t miss this celebration of animation excellence!
As the epicenter of global animation talent, a showcase has meticulously been selected from an impressive pool of 382 submissions contributed by 595 artists from 14 countries. This premier event will feature a total of 38 films, including works from the inaugural Junior Competition participants, gracing the screens at SIGGRAPH Asia 2023‘s Electronic and Animation Theaters.
From captivating short films to scientific visualizations and AI-enhanced projects, SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 CAF is set to redefine the boundaries of animation excellence. Don’t miss this extraordinary celebration of innovation and creativity in animation!
Herman Van Eyken, Computer Animation Festival Co-Chair who is also the Director of Griffith Film School, Griffith Film School in Australia said, “As an educator and Co-Chair of the Computer Animation Festival, I am thrilled to witness the remarkable diversity of creativity and the expansive technical prowess showcased at the SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 Computer Animation Festival. It’s particularly gratifying to see global talent being showcased right here in Australia, which is a major player on the international stage. The awarded works not only stand at the forefront of animation but also serve as a testament to the richness of storytelling in the digital landscape.”
Rob Coleman, Computer Animation Festival Co-Chair and Creative Director of Industrial Light & Magic, said, “Witnessing the rapid evolution and sophisticated, immersive animation at SIGGRAPH Asia is truly inspiring. The collection of work received this year not only showcases the dynamic interplay of art and technology but also redefines the possibilities in animation. We’re eager to continue providing a platform for innovative works that captivate and inspire audiences worldwide, fostering a synergy of creativity and technological innovation in the dynamic landscape of animation.”
CAF will celebrate a myriad of extraordinary projects, with special acknowledgment given to the following winners, including two Honourable Mentions:
- Best in Show: Moirai – Thread of Life
Director(s): Ina Conradi & Mark Chavez
Producer(s): Ina Conradi
Description: Ina Conradi, Nanyang Technological University, School of Art,
Design and Media, takes home the Best In Show award for “Moirai – Thread of Life.” This awe-inspiring journey through cosmic dimensions delves into quantum physics, symbolically representing the interconnected threads of quantum phenomena shaping the destinies of all beings.
Trailer: Access trailer here
- Jury’s Special Award: Hair Universe
Director: Jinuk Choi, Kotory Studio
Producer: Jinuk Choi, Kotory Studio
Description:“Hair Universe” by Jinuk Choi from Kotory Studio beautifully weavesa narrative around the interconnectedness of love, death, and the pain of loss. The film masterfully depicts the shared human experience of facing loss and the strength that arises when we realize our commonality.
- Best Student Project: Thaba Ye
Director(s): Preetam Dhar, Daria Batueva, Hannah Judd, Mogau Kekana,
Merel Hamers & Leroy Le Roux, Gobelins, l’école de
Producer(s): Cécile Blondel, Gobelins, l’école de
Description: “Thaba Ye” by Preetam Dhar, Daria Batueva, Hannah Judd, MogauKekana, Merel Hamers, and Leroy Le Roux from Gobelins, l’école de l’image won the Best Student Project. The film, set against the mysterious backdrop of a South African mountain, explores courage, fears, and the lengths one goes to save a loved one.
- Honorable Mention: Quem Salva
Director(s): Laure Devin, Maxime Bourstin, Nathan Medam, Charles Hechinger,
Titouan Jaouen, Supinfocom Rubika
Producer: Philippe Meis, Supinfocom Rubika
Description: Laure Devin, Maxime Bourstin, Nathan Medam, Charles Hechinger,
and Titouan Jaouen from Supinfocom Rubika received an Honorable Mention for “Quem Salva,” a gripping tale of a young firefighter facing a moral dilemma in the heart of the Amazon.
- Honorable Mention: Loup y es-tu ?
Director(s) /Producer(s):Louise Laurent, Alizée Van De Valle, Emma Fessart, Jeanne
Galland, Célina Lebon, Annouck Françoise, Supinfocom Rubika
Description: “Loup y es-tu ?” by Louise Laurent, Alizée Van de Valle,
Emma Fessart, Jeanne Galland, Célina Lebon, and Annouck François from Supinfocom Rubika also earned an Honorable Mention. This enchanting film follows a young girl’s musical journey and the lurking presence of the mysterious Wolf.
CAF 2023 is organised by Computer Animation Festival Chair Herman Van Eyken, Director of Griffith Film School, Griffith Film School, Computer Animation Festival Co-Chair Rob Coleman, Creative Director, Industrial Light & Magic, Computer Animation Festival Producer Karen Kriss, Senior Lecturer, UNSW Art & Design, and Computer Animation Festival Producer Henry Sun, Lecturer, Griffith Film School.
Screenings take place in the immersive Electronic Theater and Animation Theater at SIGGRAPH Asia 2023. Click here to view the schedule.
Nurturing Tomorrow’s Animators: SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 Debuts Junior Competition at the Computer Animation Festival
The Computer Animation Festival (CAF) at SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 is debuting an innovative initiative, the Junior Competition, which is held in collaboration with BESydney, and the NSW Department of Education’s STEM Industry School Partnerships (SISP) program.
The 2023 SIGGRAPH Junior Animation Festival Competition recognizes and nurtures the future animators of our world. It was designed to foster emerging talent in computer graphics and animation.
Participants were encouraged to share their entries with classmates, team members, and colleagues, further promoting a spirit of community and collaboration within the animation industry.
Featuring two age categories, Junior (8 – 13 yrs) and Senior (14 – 18 yrs), the Junior Competition provides students with a platform to showcase their two-minute animations. Moreover, it empowers educators to seamlessly integrate computer animation into their curriculum. At the inaugural competition, the following students were recognised for their animation shorts:
- Winner: Water
Director(s): Selina Ho
Description: “Water” aims to evoke emotional responses by conveying a meaningful message through symbols, inviting varied and personal interpretations. The accumulating water symbolizes the character’s emotional struggles, initially perceived as hazardous but later revealed as a powerful force with profound meaning in the resolution.
- Runner-Up: The Star Keeper
Director: Keina Sugiyama
Description:The Star Keeper” by Keina Sugiyama of Harrisdale Senior High Schoolin Western Australia is an animation short that follows the life of Everest, a diligent Star Keeper tasked with placing stars in the night sky. One particular night, Everest, despite a lack of motivation, decides to undertake this crucial responsibility. As Everest ascends to the stars, a transformation occurs, fueled by memories of the intrinsic satisfaction and unique connection with these celestial bodies.
- Honorable Mention: Inspiration
Director(s): Mina Phan
Description: Inspiration” explores the world of Art, delving into diverse styles,mediums, and artists. The animation reflects the boundless nature of Art as a captivating and open-ended pursuit. It underscores the beauty of Art for its expressiveness and the absence of wrong answers in the creative process.
- Honorable Mention: Coil Motors – Electro P200D
Director(s): Nathan Fereig
Description: Coil Motors Electro P200D” by Nathan Fereig from Mitchell High
School is a dynamic 3D-animated short created for the HSC Industrial Technology Multimedia Major Project. This project presents a compelling marketing campaign for a fictional car company, featuring a 2-minute cinematic, three posters, and a sleek one-page website. Using Blender and Unreal Engine 5, the animation skillfully incorporates computer-generated imagery (CGI) to showcase the Coil Motors Electro P200D, a petrol-electric hybrid vehicle.
Professor Scott Sleap, STEM for Youth! Chair, said,”Showcasing the work of high school students alongside esteemed animators at SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 is not only inspiring but also instrumental in building the profile of the computer graphics and animation industry within our schools. This opportunity paves the way for nurturing the next generation of talent in this exciting field.”
Water and The Star Keeper will be screened in the Electronic Theater, and Inspiration and Coil Motors – Electro P200D will be screened in the Animation Theater.
REGISTRATIONRegistration to SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 is now open to trade visitors and members of the public.
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SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 Program Highlights:
- Art Gallery
- Art Papers
- Birds of a Feather
- Business & Innovation Symposium
- Computer Animation Festival (CAF)
- Courses
- Demoscene
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Doctoral Consortium
- Educator’s Forum
- Emerging Technologies
- Featured Sessions
- Keynotes
- Posters
- Real-Time Live!
- Technical Communications
- Technical Papers
- XR
New
- Junior Computer Animation Festival
- Super Speed Internet
[1] https://www.technavio.com/report/animation-and-gaming-market-industry-analysis
