This edition spotlights the recent 24th Annual VES Awards Show. Congratulations to all our nominees, winners and honorees – and thank you to the worldwide VFX community whose talent, passion and support continue to inspire the VES and VFX Voice!
Our cover story leaps into Hoppers, Pixar’s new animated adventure that began life in 2D before evolving into a richly layered 3D experience. We also explore the expanded effects in Season 2 of Netflix’s live-action, sea-voyaging One Piece, from its stretch-powered hero to a fully CG character, a pair of towering giants and a massive sperm whale. In gaming, we introduce you to the evocative environmental art – and the compelling creative philosophy behind it – that elevates Ghost of Yōtei.
Elsewhere in this issue, we examine the intersection of science and art in creature animation, track the realities of time zone-crossing VFX pipelines on international co-productions, and convene renowned supervisors to discuss how three of the greatest VFX films of all-time pushed the art and craft to new heights. Our Spring special focus turns to VFX in India, and in honor of ILM’s 50th anniversary, we salute the Dykstraflex – the ingenious homemade motion control camera system that made the VFX in Star Wars possible. We also profile Framestore Lead Modeler Crystal Bretz and Intel Principal Engineer Attila T. Áfra.
Be sure to visit the VES Awards Show Photo Gallery, capturing the 2026 award winners, the celebration, and presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and the VES Visionary Award to Wētā Workshop Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer Sir Richard Taylor.
Dive in and meet the innovators and risk-takers who push the boundaries of what’s possible to advance the field of visual effects.
Kim Davidson, Chair, VES Board of Directors
Nancy Ward, VES Executive Director
P.S. You can continue to catch exclusive stories between issues only available at VFXVoice.com. You can also get VFX Voice and VES updates by following us on X at @VFXSociety and @vfx_society on Instagram.
