SIGGRAPH 2025: Innovation and Community Meet in the Heart of Vancouver

Image credit: photo by John Fujii © 2018 ACM SIGGRAPH

SIGGRAPH 2025 is set to redefine how we connect our physical and digital worlds for the better. Vancouver is a city synonymous with innovation, creativity, and a flourishing digital ecosystem, making it the quintessential host city for our computer graphics community. After three years away, we’re set to return this August. In celebration, we asked the SIGGRAPH 2025 Committee to share why they love Vancouver and some of their favorite memories in the city.

All About the Views

The Vancouver Convention Centre, with its stunning views of both mountains and harbor, serves as the backdrop for SIGGRAPH 2025, offering a state-of-the-art venue that complements the cutting-edge nature of the conference.

Planning to meet up with your SIGGRAPH friends you look forward to seeing every year? Real-Time Live! Chair Inigo Quilez notes, “The outdoor sculpture of a pixel-art orca by Douglas Coupland is the perfect meeting point to connect with fellow SIGGRAPH attendees.”

Connecting With Community

Thierry Frey, Labs Chair, is enthusiastic about the dynamic environment that Vancouver offers for computer graphics advancements. The city’s thriving local computer graphics and audiovisual industry, combined with the vibrant urban life and stunning views from the convention center, create an inspiring atmosphere for innovation. Even Diana Arellano, Executive Committee (EC) Liaison, underscores Vancouver as an ideal hub for computer graphics, where industry leaders and academia drive innovation and creativity.

“Vancouver boasts a robust local computer graphics and audiovisual industry, and the city itself is a vibrant blend of urban energy and natural beauty. The convention center’s breathtaking views of the water, North Vancouver, and the surrounding mountains provide an inspiring environment for creativity and technological progress.”

Thierry Frey, Labs Chair

“Major studios like Disney Animation, Epic Games, DNEG, and ILM establishing key offices here highlight the industry’s growth and stability. With renowned institutions such as Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia, Vancouver Film School, and Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Vancouver emerges as a vibrant hub for innovation, creativity, and computer graphics.”

Diana Arellano, Executive Committee (EC) Liaison

Making Memories

Frey and Arellano reflect on the unforgettable memories created at SIGGRAPH conferences, particularly in Vancouver. The city’s unique blend of natural beauty and its vibrant cultural scene provide the perfect backdrop for these cherished experiences. For both, Vancouver offers a special setting where the magic of SIGGRAPH truly comes alive, creating lasting impressions and inspiring moments.

“One of my fondest memories is from the 2014 conference, where my sister, Caroline Frey-Mounier-Véhier, showcased her quilt. It was a special moment that highlighted the intersection of art and science, a core theme of SIGGRAPH.”

Thierry Frey, Labs Chair

“My all-time favorite memory is returning in 2022 as the SIGGRAPH Student Volunteer Program Chair. It was the year SIGGRAPH resumed in person after two years of virtual conferences, bringing a mix of emotions: excitement to be back in one of my favorite cities and the nervousness of leading around 250 Student Volunteers in a convention center we hadn’t visited in four years.”

Diana Arellano, Executive Committee (EC) Liaison

Arellano highlights the unique experiences Vancouver offers to attendees. The city’s vibrant waterfront is easily accessible from the convention center, providing a picturesque setting for a leisurely stroll and a chance to visit the captivating Vancouver Aquarium.

“A walk along the waterfront is a must-do, and it is super easy to do from the convention center. That gives you the opportunity to visit the Vancouver Aquarium, which is marvelous!”

Diana Arellano, Executive Committee (EC) Liaison

SIGGRAPH is more than just a conference; it’s a unique experience eagerly awaited by many each year. Attendees are drawn to the vibrant atmosphere and cutting-edge programs, which promise to inspire and innovate. It’s the perfect occasion to rekindle connections, explore new possibilities, and dive into an array of surprises and groundbreaking ideas that are sure to captivate and engage.

“To reconnect with friends whom you see once a year at SIGGRAPH, to explore the conference, especially the new program Spatial Storytelling, and to discover what surprises the Special Projects Chair has in store for us.”

Diana Arellano, Executive Committee (EC) Liaison

Arellano sums it up perfectly: “Vancouver signifies a deep reconnection with the land for me. Whenever SIGGRAPH takes place here, there is a concerted effort to involve the First Nations and showcase original art, enriching the conference and the location with greater meaning. It serves as a powerful reminder that history shapes who we are today.“

Prepare for a conference that delivers not only knowledge and innovation but also the allure of Vancouver. SIGGRAPH 2025 is poised to reach new heights, and we eagerly await your arrival amid Vancouver’s stunning landscapes and limitless creativity!

Embrace the SIGGRAPH 2025 excitement by sharing your groundbreaking work with our programs, many of which are now open for submissions! Submit now, and let your ideas soar as a key part of the SIGGRAPH 2025 experience!