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SIGGRAPH 2025 Celebrates 30 Years of Pixar’s Toy Story

This August, the SIGGRAPH 2025 conference will honor Pixar's "Toy Story", the groundbreaking film that revolutionized animation, technology, and storytelling. This remarkable event marks the 30th anniversary of this illustrious film and will feature a full day of festivities.

A Special Tribute Event

On August 10, 2025, at the Vancouver Convention Centre, the celebrations will kick off with a special introduction by Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar. Catmull, a pioneer in the realm of computer graphics, will share insights into the challenges and breakthroughs faced during the film’s production through his featured talk, "Pioneers Featured Speaker Catmull Story to SIGGRAPH and Beyond". This introduction provides a unique look back at the legacy of the film, reflecting on how its innovation was a significant turning point in digital animation.

The Opening Ceremony and Q&A

The tribute will commence at 12:30 PM PDT, where Catmull will delve into his personal experiences throughout the making of "Toy Story". Following his talk, there will be a live question and answer session, allowing attendees to engage directly with this industry icon. To enrich the celebration further, trivia games and giveaways related to the film will be hosted, preceding a nostalgic 4K screening of the movie itself, immersing audiences in the magic that began it all.

SIGGRAPH’s Role in Innovation

SIGGRAPH has been a crucial contributor to the world of computer animation and technical advancement. As Catmull highlights, the conference's unique platform fostered collaboration and dialogue among researchers and artists, fundamentally shaping the discussions that led to the innovations seen in "Toy Story". For instance, techniques developed from discussions on realistic surfacing, character modeling, and lifelike lighting were pivotal to the film's success. The culmination of expertise shared at SIGGRAPH enabled Pixar to innovate solutions for rendering challenges that had previously stymied the industry. Catmull emphasized, "SIGGRAPH wasn’t just a conference; it was our lifeline. The breakthroughs shared openly became the building blocks that we stitched together to make 'Toy Story'."

A Milestone in Animation History

In 1995, when "Toy Story" was released, it not only set a new industry standard but also demonstrated the power of narrative in animation. As Pete Docter, the supervising animator for the film and now Chief Creative Officer at Pixar, reminisces, the team was filled with youthful confidence despite their inexperience and uncertainty about success. The film's success hinged on the compelling characters and story rather than solely relying on the revolutionary technology behind it. Docter reflects, “Thirty years later, people around the world are still enjoying ‘Toy Story’ and its sequels, shorts, and theme park attractions – so I guess we got something right!”

Inspiring Future Generations

The tribute to "Toy Story" during SIGGRAPH 2025 is more than just a celebration of its past; it serves as an inspiration for the new generation of animators, storytellers, and technologists. The legacy of this film continues to influence and drive innovation in arts and technology, fostering a vibrant community that aims to reimagine what is possible in animation. Dawn Fidrick, Computer Animation Festival Director at SIGGRAPH 2025, asserts that “Toy Story’s place in history is a remarkable milestone for computer graphics.

It proved that CG images could replicate emotion and storytelling, paving the way for the future.”

As SIGGRAPH continues to embrace this spirit of innovation, the conference invites all to partake in this tribute, encouraging a collective effort to push boundaries and create stories that can change the world. Interested attendees can learn more about SIGGRAPH 2025 and registration options by visiting s2025.siggraph.org.

About SIGGRAPH 2025

SIGGRAPH 2025 embodies the collaboration ideal that gave birth to Pixar’s success story. This year's conference will run from August 10 to 14, 2025, and promises to be a cornerstone experience for professional and aspiring individuals in the realms of computer graphics and interactive techniques. With its rich legacy and forward-thinking agenda, SIGGRAPH is set to be a celebration not just of the past, but of the future of animation and technology.