Siggraph 2026, the 53rd annual premier conference on computer graphics and interactive techniques, is set to spotlight the future of visual storytelling through two of its most anticipated programs: the Computer Animation Festival and Production Sessions. Taking place from 19 to 23 July 2026 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the conference will showcase a global slate of animated storytelling and the studios behind some of today’s most ambitious productions.
The Computer Animation Festival, Siggraph’s prestigious animation showcase and an Academy Award-qualifying festival for its best in show short film category, expanded its eligibility criteria this year to include films longer than 10 minutes.
Siggraph 2026 Computer Animation Festival director Marina Antunes explained that the change “helped us reach films and filmmakers who probably would not have submitted in previous years.”
The 2026 honourees represent three countries, South Africa, the United States, and France, and share a common interest in exploring how the past shapes the present and the future. Honoured projects include Best in Show: Apart, Best Student Project: Beyond Words, and Jury’s Choice: 18 Months.
“Stories about how the past shapes the present and our future were really at the forefront this year, with filmmakers exploring themes of social justice, inclusivity, and environmental issues,” said Antunes. “The Computer Animation Festival consistently sets the bar for where technology and creativity converge, so attendees are guaranteed to see the very best.”
The festival will feature screenings in both the electronic theater and the animation theater, offering attendees multiple opportunities to experience emerging trends in animation from around the world.
Together, the Computer Animation Festival and Production Sessions program demonstrate how Siggraph continues to celebrate bold storytelling while advancing the future of computer graphics and interactive techniques.
