It’s been seven years since the last Star Wars film, Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, and in our cover feature on The Mandalorian and Grogu producer/director/writer Jon Favreau explains why turning the VFX up a notch was his main mission. Back on Earth, we check in on Buzz Lightyear’s progress with an animated leap over another seven-year gap into Toy Story 5, pushed to the technical-creative limits by Pixar Animation, which first brought Woody, Buzz and Jessie to life 31 years ago. In a most unusual modern ‘sequel,’ we explore how technology and art joined forces to inspire the Andy Serkis-directed reimagination of the 1954 animated classic Animal Farm.
Our annual Emmy Awards Preview spotlights some of the strong contenders for the coveted VFX Emmy, and features VFX supervisors offering highlights that illustrate why their shows are in the running for the top award in TV VFX. Elsewhere, we examine how today’s hybrid DP blends traditional cinematography with virtual technology, how both virtual humans and creatures are reaching new levels of realism and emotional nuance, and how machine learning is accelerating real-time workflows, expanding creative choices.
We also celebrate this year’s VES honorees with in-depth profiles of Wētā Workshop Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer Sir Richard Taylor, recipient of the 2026 VES Visionary Award, and legendary film producer Jerry Bruckheimer, recipient of the 2026 VES Lifetime Achievement Award.
Now dive in and meet the innovators pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling.
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.
