This year’s SIGGRAPH 2017 will mark the 44th International Conference and Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques. Today, organiser ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) has opened virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) submissions, seeking a diverse range for the event.
ACM wants VR and AR submissions for possible inclusion within the following programs: VR Village, The Computer Animation Festival’s VR Theater, Emerging Technologies, Games Focus Area and Real-Time Live!
“This year, we are seeking VR and AR submissions across programs that are both content-driven and highly interactive. Previous years’ contributions included art installations, real-world applications and simulations. Projects this year that focus on technology are best suited for Emerging Technology, while projects that are content centered around storytelling and film are encouraged for submission to our VR Theater,” said Denise Quesnel, 2017 VR Village Chair, and a Research Assistant at Simon Fraser University.
The VR Village offers visitors the ability to explore the fascinating potential of brand-new VR and AR formats for shared experiences, engaging audiences, and powering real-world applications in health, education, entertainment, design, and gaming. The deadline to submit a project for VR Village consideration is 21st March 2017
“Submissions for 2017 VR Village content should be hands-on and focused on the experience rather than the technology, allowing attendees to explore the capabilities and functionalities of each project in context. Projects that include performative elements and social experiences are encouraged, as are multi-user experiences that are collaborative,” notes Quesnel.
The Computer Animation Festival’s VR Theater gives attendees the ability to experience the rapidly evolving VR medium. “We are looking for submissions for our VR Theater that will push the boundaries of storytelling. During the past two years, VR has reemerged as an important medium, and the projects we hope to show will present the next era of storytelling — presentations that depict new and powerful new stories to see, hear, and experience,” Pol Jeremias, Computer Animation Festival Director for 2017 and a Graphics Engineer at Pixar Animation Studios, commented. The deadline is 21st March 2017 to submit a project.
Emerging Technologies program will present novel, innovative, and surprising systems that advance human-to-human, human-to-computer, and computer-to-computer interaction. The deadline is 14th February 2017 to submit a project.
Chris Evans, Games Focus Area Chair for SIGGRAPH 2017 and a Senior Character Technical Director with Epic Games, said, “This year, we are trying to do something quite different by seeking submissions of content centered around animated short films with beautiful assets and interesting characters for the new VR Jam competition. Those accepted will have the opportunity to work on these animated short films and transform them into virtual reality experiences at the conference itself.” Submissions for the Games VR Jam will open in late February.
While Real-Time Live! will showcase the latest trends and techniques for pushing the boundaries of interactive visuals. The deadline to submit a project to Real-Time Live! is 4th April 2017.
For any further updates on SIGGRAPH 2017, keep reading VRFocus.