Siggraph

Press Release

SIGGRAPH 2007 announced today the inclusion of an exclusive preview of “Beowulf”, groundbreaking director Robert Zemeckis’ unique vision of the “Beowulf” saga, in this year’s Computer Animation Festival‘s Electronic Theater taking place at the 34th International Conference and Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, 5-9 August 2007 in San Diego, California, USA.

“In an Electronic Theater filled with truly the best of the best in each category, ‘Beowulf‘ is on the absolute cutting edge of what is being produced today,” said Paul Debevec, SIGGRAPH 2007 Computer Animation Festival Chair from the University of Southern California’s Institute for Creative Technologies. “This year’s show weaves together amazing visuals from numerous disciplines into a single mind-altering experience.”

“Beowulf” is being made at Sony Pictures Imageworks with visual effects supervised by Academy Award®-nominated Jerome Chen using the company‘s patented Imagemotion performance capture system. In addition to representing a high point for motion capture, the SIGGRAPH jury recognized “Beowulf” for its facial animation, detailed textures, and artistic lighting.

The Computer Animation Festival jury selected from a record 905 submissions for exemplary use of computer-generated imagery and animation, and compelling storytelling. With show categories ranging from animation to research, this year’s submissions originate from countries across the globe including France, Germany, Japan, Poland, South Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. SIGGRAPH 2007 also marks the first time filmmakers were able to submit high definition video to the selection jury, which greatly increased the jury’s ability to appreciate the intricacy of each film.

In a legendary time of heroes, the mighty warrior “Beowulf” battles the demon Grendel and incurs the hellish wrath of the beast‘s ruthlessly seductive mother. Their epic clash forges the timeless legend of “Beowulf”. “Beowulf” stars Ray Winstone in the title role and Anthony Hopkins as the corrupt King Hrothgar; as well as John Malkovich, Robin Wright Penn, Brendan Gleeson, Crispin Glover, Alison Lohman and Angelina Jolie as Grendel‘s mother. Paramount Pictures, in association with Shangri-La Entertainment, presents an ImageMovers Production of a Robert Zemeckis film, “Beowulf”. The film is executive produced by Martin Shafer, Roger Avary and Neil Gaiman. Screenplay is by Neil Gaiman and Roger Avary, Produced by Steve Starkey, Robert Zemeckis and Jack Rapke. The film is directed by Robert Zemeckis.