Hold onto your seats, because the 24th VES Awards just shook up the visual effects world! James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash dominated the night with four wins, but here’s where it gets controversial: despite its 10 nominations, it didn’t sweep every category it entered. Apple Original Films’ F1 swooped in to claim the Outstanding Compositing & Lighting award, proving that even the biggest blockbusters can’t claim it all. And this is the part most people miss: Avatar wasn’t just competing against others—it was competing against itself in two categories! Talk about a high-stakes showdown.
Hosted by the Sklar Brothers and set to a classic rock soundtrack, the ceremony kicked off with Zootopia 2 snagging the first award for Outstanding Environment in an Animated Feature. Fun fact: Zootopia 2 is now the highest-grossing Hollywood film in history, raking in over $1.47 billion worldwide. But here’s a bold question: does box office success always translate to awards glory? Share your thoughts in the comments!
In a surprising twist, The Wizard of Oz at Sphere—a film originally released in 1939—won the 2026 VES Award for Outstanding Visual Effects in a Special Venue Project. Yes, you read that right. A nearly century-old movie is still making waves in the VFX world. And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just about cutting-edge tech—it’s about timeless storytelling.
On the TV front, Disney+’s Andor led with two wins, including Outstanding Environment and Practical Effects. Meanwhile, The Last of Us took home the trophy for Compositing and Lighting in an episode. But here’s where it gets controversial: Andor’s wins came despite the show wrapping up last year. Does that make its victories more impressive or less relevant? Let’s debate!
BMW also stole the spotlight with two wins for its commercial “Heart of Joy: Meet Okto the Octopus.” But here’s a thought-provoking question: should commercials even compete in the same league as feature films and TV shows? Or do they deserve their own category entirely?
The ceremony’s In Memoriam segment honored VES legends like Roger Allers, Greg Cannom, and Vince Zampella, reminding us of the giants whose shoulders we stand on. And this year’s special honorees? Jerry Bruckheimer and Richard Taylor, who received the VES Lifetime Achievement Award and Visionary Award, respectively. But here’s where it gets controversial: with only five VES winners matching the Oscars’ FX category since 2013, are these awards truly predictive of Academy glory?
Below is the full list of 2026 VES winners and nominees. But before you dive in, ask yourself: what makes a visual effect truly outstanding? Is it innovation, emotional impact, or something else entirely? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments!
