Computer Animation Festival

• Best in Show*
• Best Student Project
• Jury’s Choice
• Audience Choice

*Per AMPAS guidelines, the Computer Animation Festival Best in Show is awarded to a work that meets the eligibility requirements for the Oscars’ Best Animated Short category, as outlined in RULE EIGHT: SPECIAL RULES FOR THE ANIMATED SHORT FILM AWARD, under PARAGRAPH 1. A, B, C

26 years of the Computer Animation Festival
52 years of SIGGRAPH Conferences

Since 1999, the SIGGRAPH Computer Animation Festival has been recognized as an Academy Award® Qualifying Festival* by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It began as an annual showcase of the advancements in computer graphics. Today, it celebrates computer graphics as a cornerstone to the mainstream mediums of animation, visual effects, gaming, scientific/data visualization, and storytelling.

Email: caf-s2025@siggraph.org
Website: https://s2025.siggraph.org/program/computer-animation-festival/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acmsiggraph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SIGGRAPHComputerAnimationFestival/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/acm-siggraph/

All deadlines are 22:00 UTC/GMT unless otherwise noted.

4 March 2025
Early Deadline

18 March 2025, 22:00 UTC/GMT
Official Deadline

May 2025
Notification Date

10–14 August 2025
SIGGRAPH 2025
Vancouver Convention Centre
Vancouver, Canada

Computer Animation Festival
Electronic Theater
Animation Theater
Special Film Events

Shorts

• Advertisements: Commissioned branded short.
• Feature/Episodic Visual Effects: Trailer, clip, or breakdown reel from a live action feature film or episodic.
• Feature/Episodic Animations: Trailer, clip, or breakdown reel from an animated feature film or episodic.
• Short Films: Original short computer animated film.
• Cinematics: Selection from a larger work, such as a game, presented as a short film.
• Real-Time Graphics: Short film or selection from a larger work reel showcasing graphics created using real-time rendering.
• Scientific/Data Visualization: Data-Driven Visualizations based on research of domain scientists, including 3D data from a supercomputer simulation or numerical model driven by large scientific data. -OR-Conceptual Animation Visualizations created from the knowledge of domain scientists, employing digital tools and methods rather than large computations.
• Simulations: Utilizing the mathematical description, or model, of a real system in the form of computer imagery to represent the dynamic responses of one system by the behavior of another system.

Official Deadline: Tuesday, 18 March 2025, 22:00 UTC/GMT
$0 USD

DONATE

SIGGRAPH 2025 is a 501c3 nonprofit.

Please consider donating and select Computer Animation Festival as the program where your donation is applied.

Submission entries must meet ALL of the following:

1. Submission includes computer graphics.
2. Submission must have been completed after 19 March 2024.
3. Completed Computer Animation Festival Submission (via Linklings) by the official deadline.
4. Signed and completed ACM Rights Management Form by the official deadline.
5. All non-English language submissions must have English subtitles.
6. All applicable licenses and waivers of copyrights, moral rights, trademarks and other such intellectual property rights have been secured by the filmmaker(s).
7. Submission must be complete and received by 18 March 2025 22:00 UTC/GMT. We cannot grant timeline extensions.

Tips:
You may submit more than one film, but you must complete a separate entry for each.
We prefer films not be available online prior to the festival.
We highly value Premiere Status.
Works in Progress are not eligible.

Official Deadline: Tuesday, 18 March 2025 22:00 UTC/GMT
$0 USD

Stage 1 Submission Entry

• Step 1: Computer Animation Festival Submission
  Populate the submission form via the submission platform powered by and referred to as Linklings.
• Step 2: Entry Video
  Upload the entry video when prompted on My Submissions page in Linklings.
• Step 3: ACM Rights Management Form
  Sign and complete the emailed ACM Rights Management Form.

Stage 2 Program Material
If selected, you will be required to submit additional information including your highest resolution version of your project. Ideally, 4K 3840 × 2160.

Stage 1 Submission Entry

• Step 1: Create an Account and/or Sign in.
  • Visit the SIGGRAPH Submission Portal, powered by Linklings, to sign-up/login, then from the “Make a New Submission” tab, click on the “Computer Animation Festival” link.
• Step 2: Fill out the submission form.
  • Click the “Mark as Complete” button at the bottom of the form.
    • Tip: If you need to gather or finalize the required details, you can use the “Save as Draft” button to store your progress.
    • If you’d like to familiarize yourself with the information you will need to provide, please review this Sample Stage 1 Submission Form.
• Step 3: Upload Entry Video.
  • Follow the instructions and technical specifications for uploading your video to your “My Submissions” page in Linklings.
  • Tip: The ACM Rights Management Form will be auto-generated after the video upload. The link to access the form will be emailed ONLY to the individual listed as Distributor/Contact on the Linklings submission form.
• Step 4: Sign and complete the ACM Rights Management Form.
  • To familiarize yourself with the information you will need to provide, please review this Sample ACM Rights Management Form.
  • The ACM Rights Management Form is a unique document, tailored specifically for each submission. It is auto-generated ONLY AFTER the submitter completes Steps 1, 2, 3 in Linklings. Only the individual listed as “Distributor/Contact” in Linklings will receive the email containing the link to complete the ACM Rights Management Form.
  • It is the submitter’s responsibility to ensure the “Distributor/Contact” is aware of this process and follows the link in the email sent from rightsreview@acm.org. If you cannot locate this email, please check your filters and/or spam. Contact caf-s2025@siggraph.org for assistance.

ACM Rights Management Form

The ACM Rights Management Form defines the manner in which the material you have submitted will be used, if accepted. It also allows you the opportunity to grant or deny specific uses of the material and its presentation before, during, and after the conference.

Applicant information must include a full name, an affiliation, and a unique email address. Please note, the use of generic “festivals@…” or repeated email addresses within the same submission ARE NOT permitted and will be disqualified from consideration.

Examples of usage are:

• Your representative image and text may be used for promotional purposes, such as a preview/trailer of accepted content. As such, this promotional content MAY include a portion of your video.
• Additional virtual screenings opportunities are available after the SIGGRAPH 2025 Computer Animation Festival showcase in Vancouver, Canada, if interested.

Runtime
A maximum length of 10 minutes.

Credits
A maximum length of 7 seconds.

File Size
Stage 1 Submission Entry: 10 GB maximum file size
Stage 2 Program Material: 20 GB maximum file size

Video Codecs
Apple ProRes 422
DNxHD
H.264

Video Wrappers
QuickTime
MP4
Please Note: DCP format WILL NOT be accepted.

Video File Type
.mov
.mp4

Video Resolutions
Stage 1: minimum resolution: HD – 1920 x 1080
Stage 2: re-submit: 4K – 3840 × 2160

Frame Rate
23.97, 24, 29.97, 30, 59.94, or 60 fps

Audio Configurations
48 kHz
Stereo
Levels should be normalized for -23 LUFS (+/- 0.5)

Color Space
Rec 709

Entry Review & Computer Animation Festival Jury

All submitted entries are evaluated by a dual review process that involves individuals from various communities focused on technical, creative, production, and more.

The first review team is involved in pre-selection and will review and rank all entries as they come in. Pre-selected submissions will then move on to the Computer Animation Festival Jury. The Jury is composed of industry peers in senior positions. These jurors review and rank all entries that pass pre-selection.

Submitters will be informed by email of the status of their submissions only after the Computer Animation Festival Jury makes its final decisions. All Submitters will be notified of their status by early May 2025. The Computer Animation Festival Jury also selects the recipients of the three festival awards: Best in Show, Jury’s Choice, and Best Student Project.

The Computer Animation Festival reserves the right to place submissions in a different category if deemed appropriate by the Computer Animation Festival subcommittee or jury. Stay tuned for the reveal of your 2025 jurors.

Notification
All Computer Animation Festival submitters will be notified by email of the status of their submission(s) in early May 2025.

After Acceptance
The time between the Computer Animation Festival Jury meeting and the SIGGRAPH 2025 conference is very short, and a lot of work gets processed behind the scenes. If your work is selected, you will be expected to reply promptly to any request for information or clarification from the Computer Animation Festival subcommittee. It is unlikely that we will need to contact you regarding your work after your notification, but please plan to be available via email in case a need arises.

Presenter Recognition
Contributor attendance is not required, but we encourage you to attend in person, and experience this special celebration event alongside your peers.

Electronic Theater:

• For Full Conference registrants, an Electronic Theater ticket is included with registration.
• For all other registration levels, you are required to purchase a ticket.

One contributor per accepted piece receives 50% off any registration category, plus one complimentary virtual, and in-person Electronic Theater ticket if not already part of the registration selected.

Animation Theater:

• Full Conference, Full Conference Supporter, and Experience registration.

One contributor per accepted piece receives 50% off any registration category, plus one complimentary virtual Electronic Theater ticket if not already part of the registration selected.

I have submitted my work to the most recent SIGGRAPH Asia Computer Animation Festival. Is it OK if I submit the same work to the SIGGRAPH 2025 Computer Animation Festival?

Yes. You can submit the same work to SIGGRAPH 2025, as long as it was released after 19 March 2024. We are independent festivals with separate juries and acceptance procedures.

Do submissions to the Computer Animation Festival have to be 3D animations?

Absolutely not. We generally feature works where the computer was essential to the creation of the work, but there is no specific requirement that it be 3D. All forms of computer animation are eligible, including but not limited to: 3D computer animation, 2D animation, visual effects and live action, real-time video game play, data visualizations, simulations, scientific illustrations, and digitally manipulated imagery and video. If you have computer-generated work within a larger piece, we request that you call our attention specifically to the portion where computer-generation was used.

How many works can I submit to the SIGGRAPH 2025 Computer Animation Festival?

There is no limit. You may submit as many as you like, but ensure you complete a separate submission form for each work. However, note that the Computer Animation Festival values diversity in its content. We receive a high volume of quality submissions for this short program, so occasionally, high-quality works are not selected simply due to overrepresentation from one company/individual/category/etc.

Is there a submission fee for submitting to the SIGGRAPH 2025 Computer Animation Festival?

No. You only need to complete the online submission process.

Can I submit the same piece to both the Computer Animation Festival and to Talks or the Art Gallery, or any other SIGGRAPH 2025 programs?

You are welcome to submit pieces to the Computer Animation Festival as well as to submit related work to other programs. Each submission requires a separate online form, however, and each program has varying deadlines and requirements. You can review all submission deadlines here.

I have an art animation (abstract or experimental). Should I submit it to the Art Gallery or the Computer Animation Festival?

All animation submissions should be submitted to the Computer Animation Festival.

Where do I send my submission materials?

All works must be submitted via the SIGGRAPH 2025 online submission platform, powered by Linklings. The platform provides submitters easy access to the submission system, eliminates time-consuming shipping and mailing, and provides an efficient procedure for reviewing submitted work.

Can I enter my work through FilmFreeway?

The Computer Animation Festival does not accept submissions through FilmFreeway. All works must be submitted via the SIGGRAPH 2025 online submission platform, powered by Linklings.

When is the submission deadline for the Computer Animation Festival?

Online submission forms and accompanying uploads must be completed no later than 19 March 2025 22:00 UTC/GMT for the Computer Animation Festival. Submissions received after either deadline WILL NOT be reviewed. Click here to use an online time zone converter.

I will not be able to finish my project by the submission deadline. Is it possible for me to submit “work in progress” for review?

No. The SIGGRAPH 2025 Computer Animation Festival reviews only finished projects. The file/project you upload at the time of entry is what will be shown at SIGGRAPH 2025, if your work is accepted. If you have questions or would like to make a case for an exception, please email caf-s2025@siggraph.org.

We are an art school, and are planning to submit several student works as one submission. Is this OK?

No. Each piece must be uploaded separately to the online submission system along with its own completed and signed submission form. Each piece is judged individually, on its own merit.

I am a student, and there is no Student Projects category. Where should I enter my work?

All student work should be submitted under the category that most closely describes it (e.g., animation or visual effects). Make sure to select the “Student Project” checkbox as you fill out the form, so that your work may be considered not only for the Best in Show award and Jury’s Choice prizes, but also for the Best Student Project prize.

What file formats are acceptable for submission?

See the “Technical Specifications” guidelines above for file format details.

What criteria will the jury use to select works?

Jurors are expected to select the highest quality works from among those submitted. Each juror takes into consideration the technical aspects of the piece, the visual interest, and, for story-based projects, the storytelling. However, the jury’s primary criterion is to select the projects which it feels will collectively form the strongest overall showcase.

What is the difference between the juried program and the curated program?

The juried program presents work selected by the jury, representative of the best computer-generated content from a global perspective.

The curated program is used to round out the final show with invite-only special presentations, as deemed by the Computer Animation Festival Director and Committee.

Why must the credits be no more than seven seconds?

To maintain the pace of the Computer Animation Festival showcase, for the sake of our participants, the SIGGRAPH conference policy requires that all credit sections for accepted submissions must be seven seconds or less.

My animation makes use of commercially recorded music. Is that OK?

You are responsible for securing the necessary permissions and licenses for audio material that is contained in your work. If your music was not created originally for your content, or if you are using another person’s music, you must obtain the necessary permissions or required licenses. SIGGRAPH will not purchase these rights for you and reserves the right to remove any submission from the showcase (live or virtual) if they are found to violate any copyright agreements.

If my work is selected for the Computer Animation Festival, will SIGGRAPH 2025 pay for my accommodation and/or travel expenses?

No. You are responsible for your accommodation and travel expenses.

Why are the technical requirements so specific?

The technical requirements are very specific to make the submission process more streamlined for you. We have carefully selected codecs and resolution formats that are easily accessible to all, and that offer the highest quality and reduce data loss, when possible. Our aim is to provide you with a streamlined post and DI process. This ensures that the material you send us, if accepted, will look amazing on the big screen!

I am having trouble uploading my files. What can I do?

If you have problems uploading your files to the SIGGRAPH 2025 online submission system, your server may be behind a firewall that doesn’t allow HTTPS connections. If you are submitting from a corporate or institutional network, ask your information technology department to assist you in completing your submission. If you have any questions about uploading files, review “Uploading Files” in the Submissions FAQ. If you do not find the answer to your question there, feel free to contact the Computer Animation Festival subcommittee at caf-s2025@siggraph.org.

Do I need an ORCID to submit?

No, whether you are a Submitter and/or Creator, you no longer are required to enter an ORCID to submit to the Computer Animation Festival.

Do I need to add 2 Pop and Slate?

No, you no longer need to add a 2-second audio pop and slate to your video submission.

I am a distributor, how can I submit multiple submissions?

If you are submitting multiple submissions, for example on behalf of students or an institution/company, we’ve added new functionality called DISTRIBUTORS/CONTACT, whereby the name and email you supply will become the point of contact for a given submission. If you also happen to be one of the creators, simply use the same email address in both the DISTRIBUTOR/CONTACT and CREATOR sections on the submission form.