SIGGRAPH 2008 Announces 2nd International Animation Contest

For Immediate Release
3 January 2008

For further information:
Brian Ban
+1.773.454.7423
+1.773.382.5706 fax

(Chicago, IL) - ACM SIGGRAPH announced the return of FJORG! - the International Animation Contest at the upcoming SIGGRAPH conference in 2008. FJORG!, is an "iron animator" event in which 16 competing teams from around the world have 32 hours to create the most impressive character-driven animation of at least 15 seconds in length adhering to at least one of two themes and using at least one of 16 sound bites.

"Given the resounding success of FJORG! at SIGGRAPH 2007, it was an easy decision to host it again this year," stated Patricia Beckmann-Wells, SIGGRAPH 2008 FJORG! Chair from Walt Disney Animation Studios. "This year we are expanding the submission process to welcome all animators - professionals and students, with teams or without, in order to showcase the brightest and best the world has to offer."

Judges will select the most qualified 16 teams of 3D and 2D animators from a pool of team animation reels submitted from around the globe. Submissions are open to the public. New for 2008 is the addition of a submission category known as "Pot Luck" - where solo animators also have the opportunity to qualify for the competition and will be organized into additional teams. Pending sufficient teams, the judging will be split into professional and student categories to create two divisions of competing teams.

The 16 teams chosen to compete in FJORG! will be selected based upon criteria set forth in the FJORG! Official Rules. These teams will compete before a live audience and a panel of expert judges that will include leading talent from top graphics, feature film, animation, and gaming companies.

The online submission system will open for FJORG! on 15 March 2008, and submission and uploaded materials are due by 7 May 2008.

FJORG! is also actively seeking event sponsors and speakers from the education industry to participate in this year�s event.

Complete information on the FJORG! competition, official rules, and submission guidelines

Detailed recap of FJORG! 2007 including a documentary and final films

About SIGGRAPH
SIGGRAPH 2008 will bring an estimated 30,000 computer graphics and interactive technology professionals from six continents to Los Angeles, California, USA for the industry's most respected technical and creative programs focusing on research, science, art, animation, gaming, interactivity, education, and the web from Monday, 11 August through Friday, 15 August 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. SIGGRAPH 2008 includes a three-day exhibition of products and services from the computer graphics and interactive marketplace from 13-15 August 2008. More than 250 international exhibiting companies are expected. Registration for the conference and exhibition is open to the public. More details

About ACM
The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) sponsors SIGGRAPH 2008. ACM is an educational and scientific society uniting the world's computing educators, researchers, and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources and address the field's challenges. ACM strengthens the profession's collective voice through strong leadership, promotion of the highest standards, and recognition of technical excellence. ACM supports the professional growth of its members by providing opportunities for life-long learning, career development, and professional networking.