Ep 6: “SIGGRAPH Asia 2022” feat. Dan Sarto | Computer Animation Chair

Welcome back to the Digital Doha Podcast, our Qatar-based interview series exploring the cutting-edge of emerging media happening in Doha and the greater Middle East. Hosted by Spencer Striker, PhD Digital Media Professor at Northwestern Qatar, and creator of the award-winning History Adventures digital learning series.  

For the sixth episode, we are excited to bring you exclusive coverage of SIGGRAPH Asia 2022, the world’s leading conference on computer graphics and interactive media, which took place in Daegu, South Korea, December 6-9. Celebrating the theme ‘Colorful World’, the finest minds redefining the future of cutting-edge technologies gathered to inspire an audience of thousands from around the world.

Today’s guest, Dan Sarto, is Program Chair of SIGGRAPH Asia’s Computer Animation Festival. From short films to scientific visualizations to AI-enhanced deepfakes, this year’s festival showcased an expansive and compelling program, including entertaining and thought-provoking world-class CG animation. 

Dan Sarto is a world-renowned expert on computer animation and founder of the Animation World Network - AWN.com - one of the largest, most respected sources for animation news on the Internet. Now in his 21st year, Dan and AWN have stayed true to their passion to provide a cohesive assembly of the best animation, visual effects and related resources that exist today, in an interactive and enjoyable environment.

We hope you enjoy our special event coverage of SIGGRAPH Asia 2022, and our conversation with Dan Sarto, Computer Animation Chair, and one of the world’s leading authorities on the cutting edge of emerging media techniques in computer animation. 

• Hosted by: Spencer Striker, PhD

• Special Guest: Dan Sarto

• NU-Q Research & Production Assistants: Shaikha Alkubaisi; Ayah Mohamedain; Samson Mbogo; Laiba Mubashar; Xingyu Qin; and Tasmia Belal. 

• Emerging Media Research Team: Venus Jin, PhD; Greg Bergida, PhD; John Pavlik, PhD, Justin Gengler, PhD; Farina Amir; and Christopher Fwalanga

• Artwork: Fernanda Jimenez

• Music and Sound Effects: Courtesy of Epidemic Music

Official links for SIGGRAPH Asia 2022 & Special Guest, Dan Sarto

• https://sa2022.siggraph.org/en/

  • SIGGRAPH Asia 2022 Official Website

• https://youtu.be/GcwMaL5RXPw

  • Dr. Striker’s favorite film of the festival: Crush On by SHU-YU CHU

• https://sa2022.siggraph.org/en/full-program/?filter1=sstype106&date=all

  • Computer Animation, Full Program

• https://www.awn.com/users/dan-sarto 

  • Dan Sarto | Animation World Network

Official website and social media links for the Digital Doha Podcast

• https://www.qatarpodcasts.com/digital-doha

• https://www.facebook.com/DigitalDoha

• https://www.instagram.com/digitaldoha

• https://twitter.com/doha_digital

The Digital Doha Podcast is supported by funding from the Qatar National Research Foundation, Grant ID #: NPRP12S-0227-190165