SIGGRAPH 2011 is tantalizingly close. The 38th international conference and exhibition on computer graphics and interactive technologies will be held outside of the US for the first time — in Vancouver!

Vancouver Film School is happy to welcome the many experts, students, and fans of digital art and media who will be taking over the city from Sunday, August 7 to Thursday, August 11.

We’ll be at the exhibition hall inside the Vancouver Convention Centre, showcasing amazing student work and alumni successes, and offering a chance to meet our Instructors and Admissions Advisors. You’ll also be able to engage with the students and grads responsible for some incredible reels and films.

We’re especially looking forward to the many student-only events at VFS with representatives from industry-leading companies. Here’s a quick look at next week’s excitement:

MONDAY
On Monday we’ll hear from Pixologic’s 3D Application Engineer, Paul Gaboury, as he shares information about ZBrush and the techniques used by today’s leading artists. Digital Character Animation Senior Instructor Greg Berridge will also be speaking at the SIGGRAPH exhibition hall.

TUESDAY
Tuesday features a presentation by 3D Animation & Visual Effects grad Ali Aboud, as well as special talks by Industrial Light & Magic’s Senior Recruiter Sarah Alvarado and Rhythm & Hues’ Lighting Technical Director Jun Watanabe.

WEDNESDAY
Wednesday kicks off with a presentation from 3D grad Karem Yamin, whose work you may have noticed spanning the Cambie Street bridge (more to come on that!). Digital Design instructor Kai Pedersen will speak at Pixar’s exhibition booth, and we’ll also welcome back 3D grad Lino DiSalvo – now a Supervising Animator at Walt Disney Animation Studios – for a speaking engagement.

THURSDAY
SIGGRAPH events go out with a bang on Thursday, as VFS partners The Foundry hosts MARI info sessions and Animal Logic recruiter Krista Jordan visits students for a presentation on how to get hired.

That evening, we’ll also be hosting a special Animation & Visual Effects alumni mixer, welcoming back graduates from the department’s amazing 15-year history. If you’re a grad from 3D Animation & Visual Effects, Classical Animation, Digital Character Animation — or earlier programs like 2D, Alias, Houdini, Digipen, and Maya — and you want to reconnect with fellow alumni, you can RSVP online to attend.

There’s much more happening all week, including visits from Zoic and Weta Digital, and chances to grab some exclusive passes to VFS-hosted events from our booth at SIGGRAPH.

We’ll be blogging like crazy to keep up, so stay tuned!