‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ and ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Dominate at VFX Society Awards

"Avatar: Fire and Ash" and "KPop Demon Hunters" dominated the 24th Visual Effects Society Awards on February 25, 2026, with the former winning the top honor for outstanding visual effects in a photoreal feature while the latter made significant impact in the animated categories. "Avatar: Fire and Ash" was the clear standout of the evening, receiving 10 nominations and ultimately taking home seven awards, including the prestigious award for outstanding character in a photoreal feature for Varang, portrayed by Oona Chaplin. The film also earned recognition for outstanding CG cinematography and the coveted Emerging Technology Award, which was given to the Kora Fire Toolset for its innovative contributions to visual effects creation. James Cameron's sequel continued the franchise's legacy of pushing the boundaries of cinematic technology and visual storytelling. Meanwhile, "KPop Demon Hunters" emerged as a formidable contender in the animated feature categories, demonstrating the growing influence of Korean pop culture in global entertainment. The animated series, which blends KPop elements with supernatural action, showcased the expanding diversity of visual effects beyond traditional Hollywood productions. The recognition at the Visual Effects Society Awards highlights the increasing internationalization of the industry and the rising quality of non-English language productions in the VFX space.