VES Awards 2025: A Night Filled with Surprises and Victories
The 23rd Visual Effects Society (VES) Awards took place on a Tuesday evening, hosted at the prestigious Beverly Hilton. The ceremony, known for celebrating the best in visual effects across various mediums, was filled with both surprises and triumphs.
The Curious Case of ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’
The night belonged mostly to The Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, but in a unexpected twist. The film garnered the marquee prize for Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature. However, this victory was solitary, as the franchise’s entry ultimately yielded only one win out of six nominations.
Dune: Part Two and The Wild Robot Shine Bright
Two films{}, Dune: Part Two and The Wild Robot, emerged as the bigger winners of the evening, both taking home four awards each.
Dune: Part Two entered the night with a commanding seven nominations. Meanwhile, The Wild Robot was on a winning streak, following its triumph at the recent Annie Awards.
Which Film Will Secure the Oscar?
The recent VES Awards could offer some insight into which film might take home the Visual Effects Oscar next month. However, the history between the VES and Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hasn’t always aligned. Only five VES marquee winners since 2013 have gone on to win the FX Oscar.
Last year, this trend continued when The Creator won the VES Award but Godzilla Minus Zero emerged victorious in the Academy Awards.
This year, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Dune: Part Two, Alien: Romulus, Better Man, and Wicked are competing for the Visual Effects Oscar. The Wild Robot, on the other hand, is nominated for Animated Feature.
Other Notable Winners
A24’s Civil War claimed victory in the Supporting VFX category. Meanwhile, Paramount’s Better Man secured the award for Character in a Photoreal Feature, honoring the CGI chimp portraying Robbie Williams in the musical biopic.
20th Century Studios’ Alien: Romulus shone bright by taking the VES Award for Outstanding Model for its Renaissance Space Station.
TV and Commercials Make a Splash
The TV category saw a fierce competition, with Disney+’s The Penguin and FX’s Shōgun leading all TV programs, each tying for three awards despite starting with four nominations.
Shōgun kicked off the night by winning the first trophy for Outstanding Environment in an Episode, Commercial, Game Cinematic, or Real-Time Project. The series later clinched an Effects Simulations win and rounded out the night with the award for Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode.
The Penguin also made a strong showing, securing Supporting Visual Effects and winning Compositing in an Episode and Special (Practical) Effects in a Photoreal Project.
Prestigious Career Awards Handed Out
The ceremony included special honorees who were recognized for their significant contributions to the field of visual effects. FX actor-producer Hiroyuki Sanada received the VES Award for Creative Excellence, an accolade presented by Keanu Reeves, who praised the community’s remarkable work.
Dr. Jacquelyn Ford Morie was awarded the VES Georges Méliès Award, celebrating her pioneering work in VR/immersive technology. Additionally, Takashi Yamazaki, a director and VFX supervisor, was honored with the VES Visionary Award.
Hosts Make their Debut
The Sklar Brothers made their hosting debut for the VES Awards, bringing an engaging style and energy to the evening. The ceremony opened with a heartfelt tribute to first responders who risked their lives during the recent Los Angeles wildfires.
Complete List of Award Winners
OUTSTANDING VISUAL EFFECTS IN A PHOTOREAL FEATURE
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Erik Winquist, Julia Neighly, Paul Story, Danielle Immerman, Rodney Burke
OUTSTANDING VISUAL EFFECTS IN AN ANIMATED FEATURE
The Wild Robot
Chris Sanders, Jeff Hermann, Jeff Budsberg, Jacob Hjort Jensen
OUTSTANDING VISUAL EFFECTS IN A PHOTOREAL EPISODE
Shōgun; Anjin
Michael Cliett, Melody Mead, Philip Engström, Ed Bruce, Cameron Waldbauer
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING VISUAL EFFECTS IN A PHOTOREAL FEATURE
Civil War
David Simpson, Michelle Rose, Freddy Salazar, Chris Zeh, J.D. Schwalm
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING VISUAL EFFECTS IN A PHOTOREAL EPISODE
The Penguin; Bliss
Johnny Han, Michelle Rose, Goran Pavles, Ed Bruce, Devin Maggio
OUTSTANDING CHARACTER IN AN ANIMATED FEATURE
The Wild Robot; Roz
Fabio Lignini, Yukinori Inagaki, Owen Demers, Hyun Huh
OUTSTANDING CHARACTER IN AN EPISODE, COMMERCIAL, GAME CINEMATIC, OR REAL-TIME PROJECT
Ronja the Robber’s Daughter; Vildvittran the Queen Harpy
Nicklas Andersson, David Allan, Gustav Åhren, Niklas Wallén
OUTSTANDING CHARACTER IN A PHOTOREAL FEATURE
Better Man; Robbie Williams
Milton Ramirez, Andrea Merlo, Seoungseok Charlie Kim, Eteuati Tem
OUTSTANDING EFFECTS SIMULATIONS IN A PHOTOREAL FEATURE
Dune: Part Two; Atomic Explosions and Wormriding
Nicholas Papworth, Sandy la Tourelle, Lisa Nolan, Christopher Phillips
OUTSTANDING EFFECTS SIMULATIONS IN AN ANIMATED FEATURE
The Wild Robot
Derek Cheung, Michael Losure, David Chow, Nyoung Kim
OUTSTANDING EFFECTS SIMULATIONS IN AN EPISODE, COMMERCIAL, GAME CINEMATIC, OR REAL-TIME PROJECT
Shōgun; Broken to the Fist; Landslide
Dominic Tiedeken, Heinrich Löwe, Charles Guerton, Timmy Lundin
OUTSTANDING COMPOSITING & LIGHTING IN A FEATURE
Dune: Part Two; Wormriding, Geidi Prime, and the Final Battle
Christopher Rickard, Francesco Dell’Anna, Paul Chapman, Ryan Wing
OUTSTANDING COMPOSITING & LIGHTING IN A COMMERCIAL
Coca-Cola; The Heroes
Ryan Knowles, Alex Gabucci, Jack Powell, Dan Yarcigi
OUTSTANDING COMPOSITING & LIGHTING IN AN EPISODE
The Penguin; After Hours
Jonas Stuckenbrock, Karen Chang, Eugene Bondar, Miky Girón
OUTSTANDING SPECIAL (PRACTICAL) EFFECTS IN A PHOTOREAL PROJECT
The Penguin; Safe Guns
Devin Maggio, Johnny Han, Cory Candrilli, Alexandre Prod’homme
OUTSTANDING MODEL IN A PHOTOREAL OR ANIMATED PROJECT
Alien: Romulus; Renaissance Space Station
Waldemar Bartkowiak, Trevor Wide, Matt Middleton, Ben Shearman
OUTSTANDING VISUAL EFFECTS IN A STUDENT PROJECT
Pittura (entry from ARTFX – Schools of Digital Arts)
Lauriol Adam, Lassère Titouan, Vivenza Rémi, Marre Helloïs
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY AWARD
Here; Neural Performance Toolset
Jo Plaete, Oriel Frigo, Tomas Koutsky, Matteo Oliviero Dancy
OUTSTANDING CG CINEMATOGRAPHY
Dune: Part Two; Arrakis
Greig Fraser, Xin Steve Guo, Sandra Murta, Ben Wiggs
OUTSTANDING VISUAL EFFECTS IN A SPECIAL VENUE PROJECT
D23; Real-Time Rocket
Evan Goldberg, Alyssa Finley, Jason Breneman, Alice Taylor
OUTSTANDING VISUAL EFFECTS IN A REAL-TIME PROJECT
Star Wars Outlaws
Stephen Hawes, Lionel Le Dain, Benedikt Podlesnigg, Bogdan Draghici
OUTSTANDING VISUAL EFFECTS IN A COMMERCIAL
Coca-Cola; The Heroes
Greg McKneally, Antonia Vlasto, Ryan Knowles, Fabrice Fiteni
OUTSTANDING ENVIRONMENT IN A PHOTOREAL FEATURE
Dune: Part Two; The Arrakeen Basin
Daniel Rhein, Daniel Anton Fernandez, Marc James Austin, Christopher Anciaume
OUTSTANDING ENVIRONMENT IN AN ANIMATED FEATURE
The Wild Robot; The Forest
John Wake, He Jung Park, Woojin Choi, Shane Glading
OUTSTANDING ENVIRONMENT IN AN EPISODE, COMMERCIAL, GAME CINEMATIC, OR REAL-TIME PROJECT
Shōgun; Osaka
Manuel Martinez, Phil Hannigan, Keith Malone, Francesco Corvino, Peter Stubbs
Conclusion
The VES Awards 2025 demonstrated the incredible innovation and skill within the visual effects industry. The Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes was a notable winner, but Dune: Part Two and The Wild Robot also made impressive strides. As the industry eagerly awaits the Oscars next month, these achievements set a high bar for excellence.
Whether you’re a fan of blockbusters, animated features, or behind-the-scenes creativity in TV and commercials, the VES Awards provide a thrilling glimpse into the cutting edge of visual storytelling.
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