Annual VES Awards: Avatar and KPop Demon Hunters Big winners. February 26, 2026 The Visual Effects Society's (VES) 24th Annual VES Awards ceremony was held in Los Angeles, featuring 25 categories across film, television, technology, gaming, special venue and student projects. The biggest winner was Avatar: Fire and Ash, which took home seven awards, including the top prize for Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature. Additional wins included Outstanding Character in a Photoreal Feature for Varang, Outstanding CG Cinematography and the Emerging Technology Award for the Kora Fire Toolset. In the animation categories, KPop Demon Hunters led the night with three awards, including the top prize of Outstanding Animation in an Animated Feature, and Outstanding Character in an Animated Feature for Rumi. Rounding out the top category wins, Sinners won the award for Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature, Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age won for Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode, and BMW's Heart of Joy: Meet Okto the Octopus won for Outstanding Visual Effects in a Commercial. Additional winners at the 24th Annual VES Awards included the video game Ghost of Yōtei (Outstanding Visual Arts in a Real-Time Project), Andor (Outstanding Special (Practical) Effects in a Photoreal Project) and Azimuth (Outstanding Visual Effects in a Student Project). This year's VES Awards hosts were comedy duo Randy and Jason Sklar, returning to this role for the second consecutive year. Acclaimed film producer Jerry Bruckheimer was honored with the VES Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by his longtime collaborator, F1: The Movie director Joseph Kosinski. Weta Workshop co-founder and chief creative officer Richard Taylor received this year's VES Visionary Award. In his acceptance speech, Bruckheimer addressed the artists in the room, saying: "You create the magic. You create the things that people go to theaters for. You're the people that we dream about when we go to the movies, when we go into that dark space in the theater, and the work that you do is truly phenomenal." Here is the full list of winners for the 24th Annual VES Awards: OUTSTANDING VISUAL EFFECTS IN A PHOTOREAL FEATURE Avatar: Fire and Ash Richard Baneham Peter Litvack Eric Saindon Nicky Muir Steve Ingram OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING VISUAL EFFECTS IN A PHOTOREAL FEATURE Michael Ralla James Alexander Nick Marshall Espen Nordahl Donnie Dean OUTSTANDING ANIMATION IN AN ANIMATED FEATURE KPop Demon Hunters Joshua Beveridge Jacky Priddle Benjamin Hendricks Clara Chan OUTSTANDING VISUAL EFFECTS IN A PHOTOREAL EPISODE Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age; "The Big Freeze" Russell Dodgson Tracey Gibbons François Dumoulin Gavin McKenzie OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING VISUAL EFFECTS IN A PHOTOREAL EPISODE The Residence; "The Fall of the House of Usher" Seth Hill Tesa Kubicek John Nelson Gabriel Vargas OUTSTANDING VISUAL ARTS IN A REAL-TIME PROJECT Ghost of Yōtei Jason Connell Matt Vainio Joanna Wang Jasmin Patry OUTSTANDING VISUAL EFFECTS IN A COMMERCIAL BMW; "Heart of Joy | Meet Okto the Octopus" Tom Raynor Helen Tang Jack Harris Alex Kulikov OUTSTANDING VISUAL EFFECTS IN A SPECIAL VENUE PROJECT The Wizard of Oz at Sphere Ben Grossmann Tamara Watts Kent Dr. Irfan Essa Matt Dougan Glenn Derry OUTSTANDING CHARACTER IN A PHOTOREAL FEATURE Avatar: Fire and Ash; Varang: Leader of the Ash Clan Stephen Clee Stuart Adcock Keven Norris Joseph Kim OUTSTANDING CHARACTER IN AN ANIMATED FEATURE KPop Demon Hunters; Rumi Sophia (Seung Hee) Lee Andrea Matamoros Marc Souliere Joshua Beveridge OUTSTANDING CHARACTER IN AN EPISODIC, COMMERCIAL, GAME CINEMATIC, OR REAL-TIME PROJECT IT: Welcome to Derry; "The Thing in the Dark;" The Pickle Monster Philip Harris-Genois Pierric Danjou Chloé Ostiguy Jonathan Bourdua OUTSTANDING ENVIRONMENT IN A PHOTOREAL FEATURE Avatar: Fire and Ash; Bridgehead Industrial City Gianluca Pizzaia Steve Bevins Dziga Kaiser Zsolt Máté OUTSTANDING ENVIRONMENT IN AN ANIMATED FEATURE Zootopia 2; Marsh Market Limei Z. Hshieh Alexander Nicholas Whang Joshua Fry Ryan DeYoung OUTSTANDING ENVIRONMENT IN AN EPISODIC, COMMERCIAL, GAME CINEMATIC, OR REAL-TIME PROJECT Andor; "Welcome to the Rebellion;" The Senate District John O'Connell Falk Boje Hasan Ilhan Kevin George OUTSTANDING CG CINEMATOGRAPHY Avatar: Fire and Ash Steve Deane A.J. Briones Zachary Brake Andrew Moffett OUTSTANDING MODEL IN A PHOTOREAL OR ANIMATED PROJECT Avatar: Fire and Ash; The Windtraders' Gondola Michael Smale Sam Sharplin Joe W. Churchill Jacqi Dillon OUTSTANDING EFFECTS SIMULATIONS IN A PHOTOREAL FEATURE Avatar: Fire and Ash; Simulating Pandora Nicholas James Illingworth Sarah C. Farmer James Robinson Ryan Bowden OUTSTANDING EFFECTS SIMULATIONS IN AN ANIMATED FEATURE KPop Demon Hunters Filippo Maccari Nikolaos Finizio Daniel La Chapelle Srdjan Milosevic OUTSTANDING EFFECTS SIMULATIONS IN AN EPISODE, COMMERCIAL, GAME CINEMATIC, OR REAL-TIME PROJECT Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age; The Big Freeze Edward Ferrysienanda Kevin Christensen Guy Schuleman Kevin Tarpinian OUTSTANDING COMPOSITING & LIGHTING IN A FEATURE F1: The Movie; Modern Race and POV Footage Hugo Gauvreau Chris Davies Raushan Raj Amaury Rospars OUTSTANDING COMPOSITING & LIGHTING IN AN EPISODE The Last of Us; "Through the Valley;" A Storm of Ice, Fire and Flesh Tobias Wiesner Mark Julien Owen Longstaff Brendan Naylor OUTSTANDING COMPOSITING & LIGHTING IN A COMMERCIAL BMW; "Heart of Joy | Meet Okto the Octopus" Alex Kulikov Jack Harris Adam Chabane Nicola Borsari OUTSTANDING SPECIAL (PRACTICAL) EFFECTS IN A PHOTOREAL PROJECT Andor; "Who Are You?" Luke Murphy Dean Ford Jody Eltham Darrell Guyon EMERGING TECHNOLOGY AWARD Avatar: Fire and Ash; Kora Fire Toolset Alexey Dmitrievich Stomakhin John Edholm Murali Ramachari Aleksandr Isakov OUTSTANDING VISUAL EFFECTS IN A STUDENT PROJECT Thomas Teisseire Cassandre Cinier Martin Bluy Mathis Giraudeau

Wētā Workshop contributes over 300 models and dioramas for Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi. From a towering 15-meter (409-foot) Shastasaurus to tiny 8 mm (one-third-inch) bees, Wētā Workshop has brought to life more than 300 hyperrealistic models and dioramas for Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, which opened its doors to the public in the latter half of November. The museum is a new scientific and educational institution which showcases the history of the natural world, from the universe's beginning to the present day. Wētā Workshop contributed as part of a wider project team, working closely with Alec Fitout and Miral, who have been instrumental in driving the fit out and delivery of the museum. Wētā Workshop Co-CEO and Chief Operating Officer David Wilks said, "This extraordinary museum stands as a testament to the vision and dedication of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, whose leadership and commitment to arts and entertainment continue to shape the region's cultural landscape." "The project was a great opportunity to showcase our creative and technical artistry for Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi. We're seeing growing investment in cultural experiences like this across the Emirates, and it's exciting to be a part of that journey," Wilks added. In addition to the exhibits inside the museum, Wētā Workshop also created around 150 bronze sculptures of fauna native to the Arabian Peninsula in the museum's Wadi (gardens), which are free for visitors to explore. Wētā Workshop Art Director Jane Wenley said, "The team employed a wide suite of skills and techniques including 3D modeling, hand sculpting, and advanced printing to create exhibits with lifelike textures and dynamic movement. "Guided by leading experts, we ensured every exhibit was scientifically accurate and visually inspiring. We hope that visitors experience both the wonder and authenticity of the natural world as they explore the galleries." Wētā Workshop also led the creative design for the displays of countless fossils, minerals and other specimens throughout the museum. Judith Mcalester, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi Project Manager, said, "Each exhibit in Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi is designed to bring the story of the natural world to life, from the birth of the universe to the rich biodiversity we live with and are part of." "Using a combination of real specimens, historic objects, world-class hyperrealistic Wētā models and digital content, the museum becomes a fully immersive, sensory experience. At this museum, we hope visitors not only discover how life has evolved but also feel inspired to protect the world that continues to evolve around us," Mcalester added. The museum's galleries and research facilities span an area of 35,000 square meters (376,736 square feet), and includes spaces for temporary exhibitions and education. It is part of the Saadiyat Cultural District, and joins the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi. This project builds on Wētā Workshop's growing footprint in the Middle East, following their work on the Alif Mobility Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai which is now a permanent exhibition.

Neal Stephenson and Weta Workshop's new project is... something? Neal Stephenson, author of Snow Crash, and coiner of the word "metaverse," is about to launch a blockchain-based metaverse project. Stephenson is one of the cofounders of Lamina1. The company's about page says that "its vision is to realize an open, decentralized, and interconnected online world that fosters freedom, privacy, and prosperity for all." Lamina1 and special effects powerhouse Weta Workshop collaborated to develop Artefact. "Stephenson and the Wētā team will begin engaging a global community of creators and fans on the Lamina1 platform this fall, inviting them to unravel the lore behind a mysterious set of 'Artefacts' that will build upon the themes and lore from Stephenson's critically-acclaimed catalog of work. Next, the superfan will take on the new role of creator, utilizing their discoveries to contribute directly to the expansion of the universe." The teaser video and project page describe a world where warring AI superpowers have plunged humanity into another dark age, with surviving humans choosing sides: "[T]hose who 'Took the Buyout' and those who rejected networked systems, vowing to live unmediated by machine influence." So, it's a sci-fi metaverse RPG with NFTs, I guess? Can the man who came up with the metaverse be the one to make it work? Let's hope it turns out better than Clang, which I am still mad about.