Sydney, Australia, 5 December 2023 – Marketing In Asia is excited to bring you exclusive coverage of the prestigious SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 Computer Animation Festival (CAF), held at the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney). This year’s festival is a grand celebration of the most exceptional animations of 2023, showcasing the extraordinary talents and innovations that are propelling the animation and gaming industry towards an estimated market value of USD 103.30 billion by 2026.
The festival, a melting pot of global animation prowess, has meticulously curated 38 films from a pool of 382 submissions by 595 artists across 14 countries. This includes entries from the inaugural Junior Competition, marking a new chapter in nurturing the next generation of animators. The Electronic and Animation Theaters at SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 will be the stage for this diverse array of animations, ranging from enthralling short films to cutting-edge scientific visualizations and AI-enhanced projects.
Herman Van Eyken, Co-Chair of the Computer Animation Festival and Director of Griffith Film School, expressed his enthusiasm: “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, Co-Chair of the Computer Animation Festival and Creative Director of Industrial Light & Magic, also shared his insights: “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.”
The SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 CAF is more than just a festival; it’s a beacon of innovation and creativity in the world of animation. It’s an event where technology meets art, and new frontiers in digital storytelling are explored. As the animation industry continues to evolve, SIGGRAPH Asia remains at the forefront, celebrating and inspiring the global community of animators and digital artists. Don’t miss this extraordinary event that promises to redefine the boundaries of animation excellence.
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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 weaves a 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.
Trailer: Access trailer here
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, Mogau Kekana, 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.
Trailer: Access trailer here
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.
Trailer: Access trailer here
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. Trailer: Access trailer here
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 School in 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.
REGISTER FOR UPCOMING PRESS CONFERENCES
13 December, Wednesday, 11:00-12:00 (AEST) – A press conference will be hosted onsite at International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) by SIGGRAPH Asia Conference Chair, respective Program Chairs, conference speakers and exhibition partners, who will showcase each facet of the program, and describe the immersive experiences and technological innovations that visitors can explore. Media that attend will be given an exclusive tour of the exhibition. Please register here.
About ACM SIGGRAPH
ACM SIGGRAPH is an international community of researchers, artists, developers, filmmakers, scientists, and business professionals with a shared interest in computer graphics and interactive techniques. A special interest group of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), the world’s first and largest computing society, our mission is to nurture, champion and connect like-minded researchers and practitioners to catalyze innovation in computer graphics and interactive techniques.
ACM SIGGRAPH offers two of the premier technology conferences in the world, one in North America and one in Asia. Attended by tens of thousands of computer graphics professionals, SIGGRAPH and SIGGRAPH Asia are highly respected venues for the presentation of new computer graphics technology and research. For more information, please visit www.siggraph.org.
About Koelnmesse
Koelnmesse Pte Ltd is one of the world’s largest trade fair companies. Its more than 80 trade fairs and exhibitions have the broadest international scope in the industry, as 60 percent of the exhibitors and 40 percent of the visitors come from outside Germany. The Koelnmesse events include leading global trade fairs for 25 sectors, such as Imm Cologne, Anuga, IDS, INTERMOT, Interzum Cologne, Photokina, Gamescom, and the International Hardware Fair Cologne. Koelnmesse is ACM SIGGRAPH’s event organizer for the last 15 editions of SIGGRAPH Asia. For more information, please visit www.koelnmesse.com.sg.
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