Creativity on show – top animation, gaming, graphics, and film conferences to attend in 2022

It has been two very long years since a lot of folks last attended an in-person conference and, quite frankly, we’re keeping our fingers and toes crossed that 2022 will be different. While some conferences will still be held online, other organizers hope to get the chance to bring the best minds in the animation, film, gaming and graphics industries together to network, learn, share their experiences and collaborate.

Here are a few of the festivals and conferences taking place this year that we think are worth attending (whether in person or online):

Tricky Women/Tricky Realities 2022
When: March 9th – 13th
Where: Vienna, Austria

Tricky Women/Tricky Realities is typically held around International Women’s Day, which is fitting because the event focuses on animated films made by women. This year, the festival will take place in a hybrid form, with film programs, lectures, and artist talks presented in the cinema, as well as online. As part of the event, there is an international competition with prizes worth €21 000 up for grabs.

Game Developers Conference (GDC)
When: March 21st – 25th
Where: San Francisco, USA 

After two years of being hosted exclusively online, GDC is hoping to drag us away from our computers by returning to its regular format and schedule in 2022. GDC celebrates every aspect of game development, bringing the global game development community together to share ideas, solve problems, and shape the future of the industry. At the GDC Expo, attendees can discover disruptive technologies and novel development tools, like BaSix. 

We’ll be hosting a booth at GDC this year so be sure to come say “hi” if you’re attending! Keep an eye out on LinkedIn or Twitter for more from us on the conference.

NAB Show
When: April 23rd – 27th
Where: Las Vegas, USA

Described as an event where content comes to life, NAB Show is back this year after the event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021. In April, content creators, streamers, and podcasters will assemble in Las Vegas to learn, network, and find out what they need to do to entertain modern audiences. With more than 90,000 media professionals expected to attend, the opportunities to discover new technologies, gain knowledge, and make new connections are endless at NAB Show. 

Annecy
When: June 13th – 18th
Where: Annecy, France 

The Annecy International Animation Film Festival has been around since the 1960s and, every year, this event seeks to inspire the world of animation by highlighting the industry’s creative talent and showcasing the richness this sector has to offer. From exclusive sessions showcasing the latest animated works to presentations of current and future trends. One highlight of the festival is the Mifa market, which serves as a professional meeting place and learning space for everyone and anyone working in the animation industry.

Develop:Brighton
When: July 12th – 14th
Where: Brighton, England

Develop:Brighton has been running since 2006 and it is the only event in the UK that brings the entire game-making industry together. In 2022, the event will look at some “hot topics” in the industry like monetization, funding, ethical working practices, and the Metaverse. The conference will also offer deep-dives into successful games and studios, case studies, as well as practical, vocational content so that attendees have the chance to “skill-up”.

We attended Develop:Brighton in 2021, where we got the opportunity to interact with developers and animators and find out what they thought of our BaSix system. Read this blog post to find out more about our experience. 

SIGGRAPH 2022
When: August 8th -11th
Where: Vancouver, Canada

SIGGRAPH 2022 is a premier computer graphics and interactive techniques conference. This year, the event will take place in person in Vancouver but it will also be streamed virtually. The event content, which includes both invited or submitted work, is selected by industry experts who aim to bring together a diverse, global community of innovators to showcase the latest and greatest technologies and applications. 

International Broadcast Conference (IBC)
When: September 9th – 12th
Where: Amsterdam, Netherlands

We’ve attended this event for a few years, and it’s one you don’t want to miss. A media, entertainment and technology show, the conference demonstrates the most state-of-the-art media technology and provides great networking opportunities for media professionals involved in content creation, management, and delivery.

SIGGRAPH ASIA
When: December 6th – 9th
Where: Daegu, Korea

This annual event rotates around the Asian region and attracts some of the most respected technical and creative talent from across the globe with a passion for research, science, art, animation, gaming, interactivity, education, and emerging technologies. Attendees are invited to submit their best works and creative innovations to be featured as part of the event’s various conference programs.

Will you be attending any of these conferences in 2022? Any others you think we should add to the list? Let us know via LinkedIn or Twitter.