24th Annual Visual Effects Society Awards Nominations

Yesterday, January 13, the Visual Effects Society (VES) announced the nominations for the 2026 edition of the awards that recognizes outstanding visual effects artistry and in innovation in features, animation, television, commercials, games and new media, and the VFX supervisors, VFX producers and hands-on Artists who bring this work to life.

Nominees were selected by VES members worldwide over the weekend via the Society’s Global Nomination Event, which hosted 46 in-person and 14 virtual judging panels. The 60 peer-led judging panels in seven worldwide regions – Asia, Europe, India, Oceania, and three in North America – show the Society’s global reach and engagement.

Avatar: Fire and Ash is this year’s most-nominated project with ten nominations, including in the key category of Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature. Among animated contenders, there is a three-way tie for top nominations with KPop Demon Hunters, Elio and Zootopia 2 each receiving five nominations.

As previously announced this year’s special honorees will include film producer Jerry Bruckheimer receiving the VES Lifetime Achievement Award, and Wētā Workshop co-founder and Chief Creative Officer Sir Richard Taylor receiving the VES Visionary Award.

The VES awards gala will be held on February 25 at The Beverly HIlton in Los Angeles with comedy duo Randy and Jason Sklar (the Sklar Brothers) hosting for the second consecutive year.

The Nominations

Live Action Feature Motion Picture (Photoreal Feature)

Outstanding Visual Effects
Avatar: Fire and Ash
F1
How to Train Your Dragon
Jurassic World: Rebirth
The Lost Bus

Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects
A House of Dynamite
After the Hunt
Dongji Rescue
Sinners
Warfare

Outstanding Character
A Minecraft Movie - Queen Malgosha
Avatar: Fire and Ash - Leader of the As Clan
Lilo and Stitch - Stitch
Superman - Krypto the Superdog

Outstanding Environment 
Avatar: Fire and Ash - Bridgehead Industrial City
The Gorge - The Bodyweb
The Lost Bus - Feather River Canyon by the Pulga Bridge
The Lost Bus - The Wildfires of Roe Road
Tron: Ares - Dillinger's Grid City

Outstanding Effects Simulations
Avatar: Fire and Ash - Simulating Pandora
The Lost Bus - Escape from Hell
Superman - Metropolis City Destruction
Together

Outstanding Composition and Lighting
Avatar: Fire and Ash - Bridgehead Industrial City
Avatar: Fire and Ash - The Wind Traders, Bridgehead, Rivers and Ocean
F1 - Modern Rance and POV Footage
Superman - Fights and Metropolis City Destruction

Animated Motion Pictures

Outstanding Animation
Elio
In Your Dreams
KPop Demon Hunters
The Bad Guys 2
Zootopia 2

Outstanding Character
Elio - Giordon
Elio - Ooooo the Liquid Supercomputer
KPop Demon Hunters - Rumi
Zootopia 2 - Dary De'Snake

Outstanding Environment 
Elio - The Communiverse
KPop Demon Hunters - Seoul
The Bad Guys 2 - Cairo City
Zootopia 2 - Marsh Market

Outstanding Effects Simulations
In Your Dreams
KPop Demon Hunters
The Bad Guys 2
Zootopia 2

Mix Categories

Outstanding CG Cinematography
Avatar: Fire and Ash
KPop Demon Hunters
Tron: Ares
Zootopia 2

Outstanding Model in a Photoreal or Animated Project
Avatar: Fire and Ash - The Windtraders' Gondola
Mickey 17 - The Niflheim Spaceship
Superman - The Fortress of Solitude
Wicked: For Good - Bison

Emerging Technology Award
Avatar: Fire and Ash - Body Opt
Avatar: Fire and Ash - Kora Fire Toolset
Elio - Real-Time High Fidelity Animation System Using Signed Distance Functions
Mickey 17 - REVIZE
Win or Lose - Detached Facial Features

To check nominations for all categories go official site here.