The 7th Annual VES Awards recognizes outstanding visual effects in over a dozen categories of film, animation, television, commercials and video games.
Filmmakers, producers and guests joined more 1100 professionals from the visual effects industry for the gala.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button took home four awards—Including Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects Driven Motion Picture. The Dark Knight and Wall-E took home three awards each.
Honorees
Highlights
Winners and Nominees
Below is the complete list of Winners and Nominees for the 7th Annual VES Awards. A sortable list for ALL years of VES Award winners / nominees can be found on the Previous VES Awards page. All archival viewing materials are cleared for viewing by logged-in VES members behind the VES website firewall. For more information, please review the VES Awards Rules & Procedures, Section 14: Ownership & Clearances here.
Please click on the category to reveal the winners and nominees
Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects-Driven Feature Motion Picture
This award is to honor the overall achievement of the visual effects within
a live action motion picture where the visual effects are a visible, essential,
and integral part of the story and play a principal and active role in
the motion picture. A rule of thumb for defining whether a motion picture
would be considered effects-driven would be to ask if the story could be
told without the active participation of the VFX (including Special Effects).
On the whole, the VFX in an effects-driven film would be easily identifiable
by the viewing public and professionals working in the VFX field.
Fully animated films are not eligible in this category.
Cloverfield | |||
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Hellboy 2 - The Golden Army | |||
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Ironman | |||
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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button | Winner | ||
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Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Feature Motion Picture
This award is to honor the overall achievement of the visual effects within a live action motion picture where the visual effects play a supporting, minor or background role in the telling of the story. Supporting visual effects, when taken as a whole, may help create the setting, environment, or mood of an entire film, but are generally intended to be subtle or invisible to the lay viewer. They do not consist of a significant number of CG characters, science fiction or fantasy elements, and other highly visible effects that one would expect to see in a visual effects-driven or “tent pole” film.
Effects-driven films may not enter their “invisible” effects in this category, and animated films are not eligible.
Changeling | Winner | ||
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Eagle Eye | |||
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Nim′s Island | |||
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Synecdoche, New York | |||
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Valkyrie | |||
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Outstanding Visual Effects in a Broadcast Miniseries, Movie, or Special
This award is to honor the overall achievement of the visual effects within a single episode of an effects-driven miniseries, made-for-television movie or special that was broadcast and delivered via over-the-air, pay/basic cable, or satellite transmissions to homes. A rule of thumb for defining whether a program would be considered effects-driven would be to ask if the story could be told without the active participation of the VFX (including Special Effects).
Dr. Who - The Next Doctor - Cyber King | |||
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Generation Kill - Episode 2 | |||
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John Adams - Join Or Die | Winner | ||
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KnightRider - Prometheus | |||
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Outstanding Visual Effects in a Broadcast Series
This award is to honor the achievement of the visual effects within a single episode of a series where the visual effects are a visible, essential, and integral part of the story and play a principal and active role in the show. A rule of thumb for defining whether a series would be considered effects-driven would be to ask if the story could be told without the active participation of the VFX (including Special Effects)
Battlestar Gallactica Season Four - BSG Space Battle | Winner | ||
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Ghost Whisperer - Ghost In The Machine | |||
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Heroes - The Second Coming | |||
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Sarah Connor Chronicles - Episode 108 | |||
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Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Broadcast Program
This award is to honor the overall achievement of the visual effects that play a supporting or background role within a single episode of a broadcast series, miniseries, made-for-television movie, or special wherein the visual effects are not necessarily essential to the telling of the story in the way that the effects of an effects-driven broadcast program are. Supporting visual effects, when taken as a whole, may help create the setting, environment, or mood of an entire program, and are generally intended to be invisible to the lay viewer. They do not consist of a significant number of CG characters, science fiction or fantasy elements, and other highly visible effects that one would expect to see in a visual effectsdriven broadcast program.
Fringe - Episode 101 - Pilot | Winner | ||
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Jericho - Episode 7 - Patriots & Tyrants | |||
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Life - Frozen Solid | |||
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Pushing Daisies - The Legend of Merle McQuoddy | |||
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Best Single Visual Effect of the Year
Best Single Visual Effect of the Year
Cloverfield - Statue of Liberty Crash and Woolworth Tower Collapse | |||
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Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - Valley Destruction | |||
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Iron Man | |||
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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Benjamin’s Secret | Winner | ||
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The Day The Earth Stood Still - Newborn Klaatu | |||
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Outstanding Visual Effects in a Commercial
Outstanding Visual Effects in a Commercial
Bacardi - Sundance | Winner | ||
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Coke - It’s Mine | |||
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FedEx - Pigeon | |||
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Monster Stork - Stork | |||
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Outstanding Visual Effects in a Special Venue Project
The award is to honor the overall achievement of the visual effects within an entire Special Venue project. Special Venues are defined as installations specifically set up to project large-format films (e.g. IMAX or OMNIMAX theaters), theme park theaters that may include a motion-based ride, museums, World Fairs, and similar venues.
To be eligible, a Special Venue project must have been exhibited publicly:
- In a commercial venue for a paid admission, which may include the general admission to a theme park or special venue theater;
- For a minimum period of one week on a regular daily schedule; and
- Premiered in the current awards year in a Special Venue theater as defined above.
The following are not eligible in this category, regardless of the material’s original capture format:
- Special purpose events such as trade shows and conventions;
- Video material generally referred to as “pre-show” material;
- Repurposed films, i.e. projects initially intended for the theatrical market but which have been blown up for exhibition in large-format Special Venue theaters;
- Projects that were created as conventional 2D theatrical presentations but have been repurposed to stereographic 3D;
- Any 2D or stereographic 3D feature motion picture that either premiered first, or simultaneously, in any regular movie theater or in any broadcast medium;
- Any project that runs for an equal or greater amount of time in any regular movie theater or in any broadcast medium; and
- Movies intended for simultaneous distribution in both Special Venue and normal movie theaters. The intent of this category is to honor those projects made specifically for the Special Venue market.
Grand Canyon Adventure - River At Risk - Main Title Sequence | Winner | ||
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Outstanding Animation in an Animated Feature Motion Picture
This award is to honor the overall achievement of the animation within an entire animated motion picture. The animation may be created by traditional cel animation, computer animation, and/or stop motion, as long as it meets the definitions of Animation and Animated Project as stated in the Appendix of this Rules & Procedures. The vocal performance of characters may be taken into consideration along with the visual qualities in evaluating the overall effectiveness of the animation.Title sequences are not eligible in this category
Bolt - The Chase | |||
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Kung Fu Panda - Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting: The Animation of Kung Fu Panda | |||
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Roadside Romeo | |||
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Wall-E | Winner | ||
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Waltz With Bashir | |||
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Outstanding Animated Character in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture
This award is to honor the overall achievement in a single animated character in a live action motion picture. The character may have been created by any technique or combination of techniques, including animatronics, as long as it meets the definition of Animation as stated in the Glossary of these Rules & Procedures.
Title sequences are not eligible in this category.
Hellboy II The Golden Army - Elemental Sequence | |||
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Iron Man | |||
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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – Benjamin Button | Winner | ||
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The Spiderwick Chronicles - Hogsqueal | |||
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Outstanding Real Time Visuals in a Video Game
Outstanding Real Time Visuals in a Video Game
Crysis Warhead | Winner | ||
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Dead Space | |||
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Need For Speed Undercover - Xbox 360 | |||
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Outstanding Animated Character in an Animated Feature Motion Picture
This award is to honor the overall achievement in a single animated character in an animated motion picture. The character may have been created by any technique or combination of techniques, including animatronics, as long as it meets the definition of Animation as stated in the Glossary.
Title sequences are not eligible in this category.
BOLT - Various Sequences - Bolt | |||
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BOLT - Various Sequences - Rhino | |||
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Kung Fu Panda - This Kung Fu Stuff is Hard Work- The Animation of Po | |||
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Wall-E – Wall-E and Eve Truck Sequence | Winner | ||
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Outstanding Pre-Rendered Visuals In A Video Game
Outstanding Pre-Rendered Visuals In A Video Game
Command and Conquer - Red Alert 3 - Chrono-Lab, Empire and Allied Scenes | |||
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Need For Speed Undercover - Cinematics | |||
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World of Warcraft – Wrath of the Lich King – Intro Cinematic | Winner | ||
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Outstanding Animated Character in a Live Action Broadcast Program or Commercial
Outstanding Animated Character in a Live Action Broadcast Program or Commercial
Bacardi - Sundance | |||
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Brains Dance | Winner | ||
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Coke - Stewie | |||
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Outstanding Created Environment in a Broadcast Program or Commercial
This award is to honor the overall achievement of a single created environment in a live action broadcast program that best creates an illusion of setting for the story being told. Created environments are defined as either completely artificial environments, or the enhancement of an existing practical set location through the addition of elements not present during photography. The environment may occur more than once in the project and under different conditions, but must be the same environment, created by the exact same team.
This category judges not only the techniques for creating the environment, but also their integration with any practical plate photography. Before & Afters must show the integration of the multiple elements used to create the environment.
Stereo extractions of environments that do not contain any other significant enhancements, or fully animated productions, are not eligible in this category. For practical purposes, the environment should be a single setting within the story, and not, for example, all locations within an entire city.
Adams - Join or Die - Episode 1 - The Boston Harbor | Winner | ||
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AUDI - Living Room - Living Room | |||
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Heroes - Tokyo | |||
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Wrigley’s - Fruit Shredder | |||
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Outstanding Matte Paintings in a Feature Motion Picture
Outstanding Matte Paintings in a Feature Motion Picture
Changeling - 1928 Downtown L.A. | Winner | ||
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Indiana Jones and The Kingdome of the Crystal Skull | |||
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Speed Racer - Overall Matte Painting Presentation | |||
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Synedoche, New York - Matte Paintings | |||
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Outstanding Effects Animation in an Animated Feature Motion Picture
This award is to honor the overall achievement of the effects animation within an entire animated motion picture. Effects animation constitutes any dynamic elements that are not characters, set pieces, or what would be considered a matte painting or background. These effects may include water, splashes, smoke, fire, other naturally occurring elements including dust and other particulates, as well as those animated using procedural techniques or dynamic simulations. The effects may or may not be photorealistic and they may interact with, or be part of the characters, set elements and matte paintings with which they coexist
BOLT - Various Sequences | |||
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Madagascar Escape 2 Africa - Effects in Africa | |||
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WALL-E - Effects in WALL-E | Winner | ||
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Outstanding Matte Paintings in a Broadcast Program or Commercial
Outstanding Matte Paintings in a Broadcast Program or Commercial
Doctor Who - Series 4 - Silence in the Library | Winner | ||
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Generation Kill - Episode 2 | |||
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Merlin The Mark Of Nimueh Series 1 - The Mark of Nimueh | |||
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Outstanding Models and Miniatures in a Feature Motion Picture
Outstanding Models and Miniatures in a Feature Motion Picture
Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull | |||
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Iron Man - Suit Up Machine | |||
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My Darling of the Mountains - Hot Springs | |||
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The Dark Knight - Garbage Truck Crash Models and Miniatures | Winner | ||
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Outstanding Models and Miniatures in a Broadcast Program or Commercial
Outstanding Models and Miniatures in a Broadcast Program or Commercial
New Balance - Anthem | Winner | ||
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Outstanding Created Environment in a Feature Motion Picture
Outstanding Created Environment in a Feature Motion Picture
Cloverfield - Brooklyn Bridge Sequence | |||
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Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - Temple Heart | |||
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Synedoche, New York - Created Environment | |||
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The Dark Knight - IMAX Gotham City Scapes | Winner | ||
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The Mummy - Tomb of the Dragon Emperor - Avalanche Sequence | |||
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Outstanding Compositing in a Feature Motion Picture
This award is to honor outstanding achievement in compositing multiple elements into a final visual effect shot or group of shots in a live action feature motion picture. This category is for a body of work created for a single motion picture by an individual artist or team of artists.
Multiple entries from the same project are eligible provided the compositing teams are 100% different and the shots being submitted are completelydifferent. Title sequences are eligible as long as:
- They are submitted in textless form in order not to conflict with any other awards rule; and
- They are part of the storytelling and are not a specially designed separate animated title sequence in a live action project.
Animated films are not eligible in this category.
Iron Man – Head Under Display - HUD Compositing | |||
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Quantum Of Solace - Sienna Chase and Fight Sequence | |||
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The Chronicles of Narnia, Prince Caspian | |||
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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Benjamin Comes Together | Winner | ||
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Outstanding Compositing in a Broadcast Program or Commercial
This award is to honor outstanding achievement in compositing multiple elements into a final visual effect shot or group of shots in a single live action episode of a broadcast program or commercial. This category is for a body of work created for a single broadcast episode by an individual artist or team of artists. Multiple sequences may be entered from the same episode or series provided the compositing teams are 100% different and the shots being submitted are completely different.
Animated programs or main title sequences are not eligible in this category.
Coke - It’s Mine - Balloons | |||
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Fedex PIGEON - Pigeon | |||
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John Adams - Join or Die - Episode 1 - The Boston Harbor | Winner | ||
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Time Sculpture | |||
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Outstanding Special Effects in a Feature Motion Picture
Outstanding Special Effects in a Feature Motion Picture
The Dark Knight - Overall | Winner | ||
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Outstanding Visual Effects in a Student Project
Outstanding Visual Effects in a Student Project
Hangar Number Five - Robot Attack | |||
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La Main Des Maitres - Revolution | |||
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Plastic - Transformation Sequence | Winner | ||
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