FJORG!, the International Animation Contest, will return 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 March 15, and submission and uploaded materials are due by May 7.
FJORG! is also actively seeking event sponsors and speakers from the education industry to participate in this year's event. For complete information on the FJORG! competition, official rules and submission guidelines, visit the FJORG! webpage at www.siggraph.org/s2008/submissions/late/fjorg/.
The FJORG! 2007 documentary can be viewed on The AWN Media Center (http://media.awn.com).
A detailed recap of FJORG! 2007, including a documentary and final films are available at http://www.siggraph.org/s2007/attendees/fjorg/.
SIGGRAPH 2008, with the theme Evolve, will bring an estimated 30,000 computer graphics and interactive technology professionals from six continents to Los Angeles for the industry's most respected technical and creative programs focusing on research, science, art, animation, gaming, interactivity, education and the web from Aug. 11-15 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Celebrating its 35th year, SIGGRAPH 2008 includes a three-day exhibition of products and services from the computer graphics and interactive marketplace from Aug. 13-15. More than 250 international exhibiting companies are expected. Registration for the conference and exhibition is open to the public. More details are available at www.siggraph.org/s2008.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
