The annual conference concludes its latest edition, which ran December 12-15 in Sydney; 5,690 attendees from more than 40 countries gathered, including technical and creatives in research, science, art, animation, gaming, interactivity, education, and emerging technologies.
SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 wrapped up its latest edition, which ran December 12-15 in Sydney, Australia. The event brings together some of the most respected technical and creative people in the world. This year’s event boasted 5,690 attendees from more than 40 countries.
“As the curtain falls on SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 in Sydney, it stands out as a brilliant success,” said SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 Conference Chair June Kim. “Thousands of visitors from over 40 countries experienced innovation at its peak, with over 30 leading brands and impactful presentations setting new standards in computer graphics and interactive techniques. From keynotes by luminaries to groundbreaking showcases and awards, we're grateful for the support of computer, animation, and tech visionaries. Special thanks to our partners in Sydney for being tremendous hosts.”
Key Highlights and Achievements
The SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 Conference and Exhibition showcased the latest Computer Graphics (CG) developments. Keynotes presented by Jun Murai of Keio University and Joe Letteri from Wētā FX focused on "Internet Civilization: A New Frontier for Humankind" and "Innovation & Avatar: The Way of Water," respectively.
Featured sessions speakers included Industrial Light & Magic’s Rob Bredow and Netflix’s Paul Debevec, who touched on themes ranging from the synergy of art and technology to the frontiers of virtual production. In addition, panels delved into the latest trends in character animation, VFX, digital humans, and the future of computer animation tools.
The Conference also looked at how a hybrid society is emerging via extended reality by exploring how with Digital Twin, artifacts, space, and humans can be replicated in a digital form. A demonstration highlighted how digital twins, big data visualization, and extended reality can connect from Sydney to other cities via Super Speed Connectivity.
Generative AI was a much-discussed topic, with sessions exploring the intricacies and applications of technology, with insights, and offering participants an expanded overall understanding.
Fostering Future Talent and Education
The theme ‘Connecting Stories’ explored technology integration in day-to-day activities, with students, researchers, and academics sharing their ideas and work in progress.
Another conference highlight was the Computer Animation Festival, which featured an eclectic mix of 38 films, ranging from narrative shorts to scientific visualizations. It included works from the inaugural Junior Computer Animation Festival.
“It has truly been an honor to co-chair the Computer Animation Festival at SIGGRAPH Asia 2023,” said Computer Animation Festival co-chair Rob Coleman. “My SIGGRAPH journey began in 1992 in Chicago; the Electronic Theater at that event left an indelible impression on me. Back then, the internet didn't exist, which meant that SIGGRAPH was the hub for seeing the latest in computer graphics. At that time, I had a limited view of the field; however, attending SIGGRAPH introduced me to a world of diverse content... Witnessing the exceptional global talent showcased this year is incredibly rewarding.”
Technological Showcases and Inclusivity
SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 showcased emerging technologies with over 900 Technical Papers submitted and juried by over 180 experts and over 3,000 anonymous peer reviewers.
Recognizing Excellence
Individuals and teams were celebrated through multiple awards programs – a complete list is available here.
An intriguing Exhibition
From healthcare and transportation to the realms of space and entertainment, technology was showcased as a powerful force, bringing visualization and interactive tools into our everyday lives. Prominent industry leaders, including FORUM8, Adobe, NVIDIA, Industrial Light and Magic, MSI, Vicon, and Wētā FX exhibited, offering a glimpse into the future of Animation & Visual Effects, Augmented Reality, Cloud-based Systems, Computer Graphics, Interactive & Innovative Technologies, Gaming Technologies, Imaging, Virtual Reality & Simulation, and Visualization.
People attended Demoscene, an international computer art subculture focused on producing demos: self-contained, sometimes extremely small, computer programs that produce audio-visual presentations.
In the Experience Hall, attendees participated in an immersive art gallery and an extended reality (XR) program and saw the latest emerging technologies for CGI, special effects (FX), and animation.
Hosting the event in Sydney is a timely reflection of Australia’s growing importance in the global computer graphics industry, with a local surge in both 2D and 3D animation work, evidenced by increased demand for artists and the expansion of local production companies.
“I am deeply grateful to all the local and international supporters for making this edition in Sydney exceptionally memorable and successful,” shared Kim. “We eagerly anticipate the next gathering in Tokyo in early December 2024!”
Source: SIGGRAPH Asia 2023
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Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
