Today, the New York Section of the Visual Effects Society (VES), the industry’s professional global honorary society, announced the forthcoming recipients of its 10th Annual VES NY Awards. Vico Sharabani, Director, VFX Supervisor, and Founder of The-Artery, will receive the VES NY Empire Award, and Dr. Russ Andersson, Creator and Developer of Boris FX SynthEyes, will be honored with the VES NY Empire Technology Award.
The awards celebration will take place on June 27, 2024, at 230 Fifth (Rooftop Bar) in Manhattan.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the VES NY Empire Award recognizes individuals who have made significant and impactful contributions to visual effects artistry in film, animation, television, commercials, video games, and special venues throughout the greater New York area. The VES NY Empire Technology Award honors outstanding achievement in visual effects technological innovation. During the event, VES New York section members whose work in recent years has been recognized at the prestigious VES Awards will also be celebrated for their creative excellence.
Sharabani, Director, VFX Supervisor, and founder of The-Artery, will receive the prestigious 2024 Empire Award in recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to the advertising and film industry over the past 26 years. Sharabani’s impressive visual effects work spans dozens of films with renowned directors such as Wes Anderson, Stephen Soderbergh, and Noah Baumbach. His portfolio also includes high-profile commercials and experiential work for brands like Mercedes-Benz, Nike, and AT&T, along with iconic music videos for artists including Beyoncé, Coldplay, Nicki Minaj, Kanye West, and Bob Dylan. As one of the world's foremost Autodesk Flame® artists, Sharabani has mentored hundreds of emerging talents throughout his celebrated career in New York City.
Andersson is a distinguished computer scientist and expert in real-time computer vision and robotics. In 2003, Andersson began developing SynthEyes, an innovative 3D camera tracking software application that has made its mark on Hollywood blockbusters and renowned TV shows, including Black Panther, The Guardians of the Galaxy series, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Pan's Labyrinth, Lost, Stranger Things, and Game of Thrones. In 2023, Andersson and SynthEyes joined VFX software company Boris FX.
"As we celebrate the 10th Annual VES New York Awards, we are honored to bestow the VES NY Empire Award and VES NY Empire Tech Award to two prominent individuals whose work over the decades continues to elevate the art of visual effects storytelling and production,” said Jose Marin, VES New York Section Board Chairman. “Sharabani's creative vision and leadership consistently push the boundaries of what is possible in visual effects filmed entertainment, while Dr. Andersson’s pioneering software development of SynthEyes has revolutionized 3D camera tracking, enabling countless successful film and television productions.”
Previous recipients of the VES Empire Award include Randy Balsmeyer, award-winning title designer and visual effects supervisor; Darren Aronofsky, director and co-founder of Blue Sky Studios; Lesley Robson-Foster, acclaimed visual effects supervisor; and Ken Perlin, a pioneer in the field of graphics research.
10th Annual VES NY Celebration at a Glance:
- What: The 10th Annual VES NY Celebration
- When: Thursday, June 27, 2024 | 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
- Where: 230 Fifth (Rooftop Bar)
1150 Broadway (between 26th & 27th streets)
New York City, NY 10001
Cocktails and food will be served.
Tickets: Event celebration tickets are available as follows:
- Member Tickets: $55 (plus processing fee) [Head to VES website to activate member pricing.]
- Non-Member Tickets: $95 (plus processing fee) [Eventbrite]
For additional event registration information, contact nychair@vesglobal.org.
The 10th Annual VES NY Celebration is sponsored by Dell Technologies, SideFX and ActionVFX.
About the VES
The Visual Effects Society (VES) is a global professional honorary society and the entertainment industry’s only organization representing the full breadth of visual effects practitioners. VES’ nearly 5,000 members in more than 45 countries worldwide contribute to all areas of entertainment – film, television, commercials, animation, special venue, games and new media.
Additional information on the VES NY Section information is available here.
