FJORG! - the International Animation Contest will take place at the upcoming SIGGRAPH conference, 11 through 15 August 2008 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

FJORG! is an "iron animator" event in which competing teams from around the world have 32 hours to create a 15-second, character-driven animation while adhering to at least one of two themes and facing multiple distractions. The online submission system is now open and submission and uploaded materials are due by 7 May 2008. Submissions are open to the public.

The competition will be structured similar to the 2007 event, with some exciting changes in the submission process. Judges will select the most qualified 16 teams of 3D and 2D animators from a pool of animation reels submitted from around the globe.

New for 2008 is the addition of a submission category known as "Pot Luck" - where solo animators also have the opportunity to qualify for the competition and will be organized into additional teams. Another new addition is 'Viking vs. Pirates' - pending sufficient teams, the judging will be split into professional and student categories to create two divisions of competing teams.

"FJORG! is a mentor driven event meant to celebrate the animation community and open up opportunities for hard working artists in the industry. For this event, we are pooling from the best animators in the world - both pre-established teams as well as individuals," stated Patricia Beckmann-Wells, SIGGRAPH 2008 FJORG! Chair from Walt Disney Animation Studios. "Our goal is to build on the resounding success of the competition's first year that resulted in new friendships and prizes for many of our participants."

In 2007, 16 teams participated in the competition and the feedback was fantastic. "The entire competition was an incredibly fun and rewarding experience," stated W. Jacob Gardner, Cycles Animator from DreamWorks, a member of the FJORG! 2007 winning team. "Professionally, I know that I wouldn't be where I am today without the experience and connections my team and I gained through the FJORG! competition."

Similar to 2007, the teams chosen to compete in FJORG! will be selected based upon criteria set forth in the FJORG! Official Rules. These teams will compete before a live audience and a panel of expert judges that will include leading talent from top graphics, feature film, animation, and gaming companies.

A detailed recap of FJORG! 2007 including a documentary and final films are available at http://www.siggraph.org/s2007/attendees/fjorg/.