The SIGGRAPH Asia 2021 Computer Animation Festival, Asia’s premier computer-generated animation and visual effects event, will showcase a worldwide collection of the year’s best works. From student films to professional projects, the festival once again showcases and celebrates some of the industry’s newest, most compelling technology-based visual artistry.
The festival is pleased to announce four award-winning films, selected by judges from a total of 501 animation works. Read on to hear more about each of the winners.
“This year saw another fantastic selection of works from artists across Asia and around the world. Our winning films, as well as each selection for the Electronic and Animation Theater screenings, showcase the latest innovative works from an incredibly diverse and talented group of artists. Our jury helped assemble an extraordinary collection of animated projects, including 35 animated shorts, commercials, and other works, that conference participants can watch both in Tokyo and online. Congratulations to all the winners and to everyone who took time to share their work with us.”
—Computer Animation Festival Chair, Dan Sarto
Watch the trailer for the festival below.
Award-winning Projects
BEST IN SHOW: “Twenty Something
Director: Aphton Corbin
Producer: Erik Langley
Production Company: Pixar Animation Studios
Country: USA
Adulting can be hard. Some days you’re nailing it, while other days, you’re just a bunch of kids hiding in a trench coat hoping no one notices. In “Twenty Something”, Gia finds herself in this exact scenario the night of her 21st birthday. This is a story about the insecurities of adulting and how we’re all just faking it ’till we make it. Produced as part of Pixar Animation Studios’ SparkShorts program, you can watch a trailer for “Twenty Something” here.
BEST STUDENT PROJECT: “Le Retour des Vagues“
Directors: Manon Cansell, Alejandra Guevara Cervera, Edward Kurchevsky, Francisco Moutinho de Magalhães, Hortense Mariano
Producer: Moïra Marguin
School: Gobelins, L’École de L’Image
Country: France
Distributor: Miyu Distribution
Coming back to his hometown in the hope of reconnecting with his past, this film focuses on a young man as he encounters his hometown frozen in time. Join him on his journey, as he faces what he once left behind. Check out the trailer for “Le Retour des Vagues” here.
BEST STUDENT PROJECT: “Les larmes de la Seine“
Directors: Yanis Belaid, Eliott Benard, Nicolas Mayeur, Etienne Moulin, Hadrien Pinot, Lisa Vicente, Philippine Singer, Alice Letailleur
Producer: Carlos De Carvalho
School: Pôle 3D
Country: France
“Les Larmes de la Seine” takes place on 17 October 1961 and focuses on Algerian workers taking to the streets in protest against a police-mandated curfew. Watch the trailer for “Les Larmes de la Seine” here.
JURY SPECIAL: “Only a Child“
Director: Simone Giampaolo
Producer: Gabriella de Gara
Production Company: Amka Films, RSI Radiotelevisione svizzera, SRG SSR
Country: United Kingdom, Switzerland
“Only a Child” is a visual poem created by over 20 animation directors under the artistic supervision of Simone Giampaolo. The short gives shape and color to the original words spoken by Severn Cullis-Suzuki at the UN Summit in Rio in 1992. This omnibus film celebrates the environmental youth movement and a child’s desperate call to action for the future of our planet. View the trailer for “Only a Child” here.
SIGGRAPH Asia 2021 will take place at the Tokyo International Forum in Japan and online 14–17 December. For more information on programming and the festival lineup, visit https://sa2021.siggraph.org/en/attend.
A range of registration categories are available for both participants who would like to attend in-person as well as virtual aspects of the event. Register today.
Questions? Email us at registration_asia@siggraph.org and we’d be happy to answer them!
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