One of the conference’s most anticipated programs includes behind-the-scenes looks at groundbreaking work from DreamWorks Animation, DNEG, NASA, Nickelodeon Animation, Walt Disney Imagineering, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Wētā FX, offering a rare glimpse at the full arc of visual storytelling, from emerging artists to industry leaders.
SIGGRAPH 2025 has just announced the lineup for one of the conference’s most anticipated programs, the always powerful Production Sessions. Attendees are invited to go behind the scenes of some of the world's most ambitious entertainment projects, getting a rare look at the artistry and innovation behind today's blockbuster films, immersive rides, and cutting-edge games. More information on the conference, which runs August 10-14 in Vancouver, Canada, including how to register, can be found here.
In a landmark joint session, DNEG and Wētā FX present “A Journey Through Dystopia: The Last of Us,” a two-part breakdown of the visual effects that brought the second season of the incredible episodic series The Last of Us to life. From building a CG version of post-apocalyptic Seattle to designing a thousand-strong infected horde, the teams unveil the technical ingenuity required to elevate one of television's most visually compelling series.
Other highlights include:
- “You Can Fly! The Making of ‘Peter Pan's Never Land Adventure’” — Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Animation Studios chart the seven-year journey behind their new immersive ride at Tokyo DisneySea, blending hand-drawn charm with 3D innovation, plus "faith, trust, and pixie dust".
- “Bringing NASA Data to Life: The Power of Visualizing Science” — NASA's multidisciplinary team showcases how they turn complex Earth science data into stunning visual narratives, ranging from real-time disaster dashboards to immersive public exhibits, using cutting-edge models, AI tools, and storytelling techniques to make global phenomena accessible to all.
- “Developing the Stylized World of ‘The Wild Robot’” — DreamWorks Animation showcases how painterly techniques and handcrafted 2D aesthetics were translated into a rich 3D visual language.
- “‘South of Midnight’: Crafting a Stop Motion Southern Gothic Game” — Compulsion Games shares the hybrid animation pipeline used to bring its moody, stylized video game world to life.
- “Exploring the Novel Real-Time Pipeline of Nickelodeon's ‘Max & the Midknights’” — Nickelodeon Animation's Max & the Midknights team reveals how a custom Unreal pipeline and real-time workflows powered a cinematic CG series with a handcrafted, stop-motion look.
The new Spatial Storytelling program expands SIGGRAPH's narrative frontier, thematically linking the imaginative worlds of the Computer Animation Festival and the behind-the-scenes innovation of the Production Sessions by exploring how stories are experienced through space, immersion, and interaction.
"With the Computer Animation Festival, Production Sessions, and the new Spatial Storytelling program, we see the full arc of storytelling — from bold student visions to immersive experiences and cinematic spectacle," said SIGGRAPH 2025 Conference Chair Ginger Alford. "Together, these programs embody the spirit of exploration and creative collaboration that defines SIGGRAPH."
Source: SIGGRAPH 2025
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
