The Visual Effects Society (VES) has announced new categories and released its updated rules & procedures (R&Ps) for the 25th Annual VES Awards. Taking place on February 17, 2027 at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, the VES Awards honors VFX artisans around the world, recognizing outstanding creative work, technological innovation, and pioneering leadership. Submissions will open on September 15, 2026, with a final deadline of October 31, 2026.
This year, VES is introducing a new category for Outstanding Visual Effects in a Short Project. This category covers both photoreal and animated projects–including narrative short films, documentary shorts, music videos, native social media content, and experimental films–up to 45 minutes in length. The addition of this category reflects today’s evolving media landscape and the growing sophistication of social media content. It also provides an opportunity for visual effects artists working outside of traditional film and TV episodics to have their work recognized.
Highlighting the integral role of practical visual effects within the VFX community, VES has renamed and expanded the category of Outstanding Special (Practical) Effects in a Photoreal Project, now becoming Outstanding In-Camera Effects in a Photoreal Project. This category honors artistry achieved through physical, optical, or mechanical techniques and captured by a camera–from pyrotechnics, miniatures, and animatronics to special makeup effects, forced perspective sets, and other practical crafts. Its expanded scope celebrates the ingenuity of the artists whose real-world creations remain fundamental to visual effects storytelling.
“Visual effects artists are creating extraordinary work across more formats, platforms, and production methods than ever before. As we approach the 25th Annual VES Awards, it is important that our categories continue to evolve alongside the work itself,” shared Lopsie Schwartz, chair of the VES Awards Committee. “These changes recognize outstanding visual effects across a broader range of formats and production methods while preserving the meaningful, competitive distinction of a VES Award. We’re especially excited to recognize the extraordinary range of artistry and innovation emerging in short form work through the new Outstanding Visual Effects in a Short Project category.”
Additionally, to honor the highest standards of craft, VES is establishing separate award categories for animation and photoreal projects, honoring the unique creative discipline of each format. As a result, what was previously one category for Outstanding CG Cinematography has now been replaced by two new categories: Outstanding CG Cinematography in a Photoreal Project and Outstanding CG Cinematography in an Animated Project. This shift honors the unique creative disciplines of each format and ensures that lighting, layout, previs, and digital camera teams are evaluated alongside directly comparable work.
Animated categories have also been updated this year to be more inclusive of episodic projects, with category titles changing from “Animated Feature” to “Animated Project.” This will allow space for animated series to compete alongside other animation projects whereas previously, animated series were either ineligible or had to compete against photoreal projects.
Another expansion this year is in the Simulation categories, which have been renamed to “Procedural Effects,” now recognizing visual effects artistry achieved through a wider range of system-driven processes.
For additional updates to this year’s VES Awards categories, please view the full rules & procedures here.
Important dates for the 25th Annual VES Awards are as follows:
Submissions Open: September 15, 2026
Final Submission Deadline: October 31, 2026
Global Nomination Event (VES members only): January 16, 2027
Nominations Announced: January 19, 2027
Online View & Vote (VES members only): January 25 – February 7, 2027
25th Annual VES Awards Gala: February 17, 2027
Additional important details
Eligible projects: Must have been released between January 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026 (The Student Award eligibility dates are October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026)
Entry fee: The submission fee for the VES Awards is $460.00 per entry ($25.00 for the Student Award category)
The full list of categories for 25th Annual VES Awards is as follows:
General Categories
Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature
Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature
Outstanding Animation in an Animated Project
Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode
Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode
Outstanding Visual Arts in a Real-Time Project
Outstanding Visual Effects in a Commercial
Outstanding Visual Effects in a Special Venue Project
Outstanding Visual Effects in a Short Project
Outstanding In-Camera Effects in a Photoreal Project
Specific Arts Categories:
Outstanding Character in a Photoreal Feature
Outstanding Character in an Animated Project
Outstanding Character in a Photoreal Project
Outstanding Environment in a Photoreal Feature
Outstanding Environment in an Animated Project
Outstanding Environment in a Photoreal Project
Outstanding CG Cinematography in a Photoreal Project
Outstanding CG Cinematography in an Animated Project
Outstanding Model in a Photoreal or Animated Project
Outstanding Procedural Effects in a Photoreal Project
Outstanding Procedural Effects in an Animated Project
Outstanding Compositing & Lighting in a Photoreal Feature
Outstanding Compositing & Lighting in a Photoreal Project
Special Categories:
Emerging Technology Award
Outstanding Visual Effects in a Student Project
