23rd Annual VES Awards Nominees Highlight Excellence in Visual Effects

The Visual Effects Society (VES) has revealed the nominees for its 23rd Annual VES Awards, with animated films Ultraman: Rising and Transformers One securing two nominations each. These prestigious awards celebrate groundbreaking artistry and innovation in visual effects across various mediums, including film, television, and animation.

This year, Ultraman: Rising and Transformers One are both contenders for Outstanding Visual Effects in an Animated Feature, showcasing their technical brilliance and creative vision. The Ultraman: Rising team (Hayden Jones, Sean M. Murphy, Shannon Tindle, Mathieu Vig) also earned recognition for Outstanding Effects Simulations in an Animated Feature, highlighting the work of Goncalo Cabaca, Zheng Yong Oh, Nicholas Yoon Joo Kuang, and Praveen Boppana. Meanwhile, Transformers One (Frazer Churchill, Fiona Chilton, Josh Cooley, Stephen King) is also nominated for Outstanding Environment in an Animated Feature, with Alex Popescu, Geoffrey Lebreton, Ryan Kirby, and Hussein Nabeel receiving acclaim for their depiction of Iacon City.

In addition to recognizing individual projects, the VES will honor Hiroyuki Sanada, lead actor and producer of the Shōgun series, with the VES Award for Creative Excellence. Takashi Yamazaki, director of Godzilla Minus One, will receive the VES Visionary Award for his contributions to the field.

The VES Awards ceremony will take place on February 11 at the Beverly Hilton in California, continuing its tradition of spotlighting exceptional visual storytelling. With past winners like Alita: Battle Angel and nominees such as The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, this year’s awards promise to uphold the legacy of celebrating outstanding achievements in visual effects.