Three ESMA short films selected for SIGGRAPH 2025: international recognition for the school and its young graduates

The Computer Animation Festival: professional recognition

SIGGRAPH (Special Interest Group on Computer GRAPHics and Interactive Techniques) is an international conference that brings together thousands of professionals, researchers, artists, and studios from around the world every year. Since its first edition in 1974, it has established itself as the world’s largest event dedicated to animation, visual effects, and computer graphics.

At the heart of this event, the Computer Animation Festival Electronic Theater is a benchmark. Held every year since 1999, it showcases the best international achievements in categories ranging from advertising to cinema, special effects, real-time graphics, scientific visualization, and simulation. Being selected is equivalent to entering a showcase of excellence, alongside productions from the world’s leading studios.

Three student films in the running

This year, three short films from ESMA have been selected in the “short films” category, alongside productions from the world’s most renowned schools and studios:

Dawn, directed by Marie PRADEILLES, Lucas JONCKHEERE, Apolline ROYER, Noah MERCIER, Matthieu DEJOUX, Maxime FORESTIER, Lorys STORA, and YuFang CHANG.

Trash, directed by Gregory BOUZID, Maxime CRANÇON, Robin DELAPORTE, Matteo DURAND, Romain FLEISCHER, Alexis LE RAL, Margaux LUTZ, and Fanny VECCHIE.

Sleeping with the Fishes, directed by Nicolas KNOLL, Lucas WALLEZ, Manon SEVE, Camille COLONNA D’ISTRIA, Giulia GIGANTE, Justine GAULT, Noa LAVINO, and Marion ROBE.

Their selection is a strong recognition of the artistic, narrative, and technical work accomplished by these young filmmakers, and reflects the high standards and creativity they have demonstrated throughout their training.

A must-see event in Vancouver

SIGGRAPH 2025 will take place August 10-14 in Vancouver, Canada.

Over five days, the selected films will be screened in a unique setting, in front of an audience of animation professionals, studios, producers, engineers, and creators from around the world.

For the film teams, this is an exceptional opportunity to showcase their work, meet key industry players, and sometimes take a step toward an international professional career.

A source of pride for the school

These selections are part of an already strong history between ESMA and SIGGRAPH. Amir & Amira won the Jury Award in 2015, followed by the Best Student Project for Je suis un caillou in 2021, and the Audience Choice Award for Mésozoïque Alternatif in 2022. Tea Time and Asteria were also selected in 2016 and 2017, respectively. In 2023, Swing to the Moon was awarded Best Student Project. This prestigious distinction once again confirms the artistic and technical quality of ESMA’s productions.

Isabelle Teissedre, ESMA’s Director of Studies, said:

“SIGGRAPH is one of the most demanding events in the world in our field. Seeing three films from the school included in the 2025 selection is a huge source of satisfaction. It is recognition that not only honors the talent of our students, but also strengthens ESMA’s visibility on the international stage.”

On the way to SIGGRAPH

The teaching and administrative teams at ESMA would like to warmly congratulate the students selected for this great achievement.

See you in August to discover the films screened at SIGGRAPH… and perhaps some new awards to come.