Visual effects are as much a part of today's cinematic landscape as the cast, score, and story itself. With that in mind, we take a look at the nominees for the 2016 Visual Effects Society (VES) Awards which were released today. There's little surprise that Star Wars: The Force Awakens leads the list of feature film nominations, but the fact that The Peanuts Movie is the top animated nominee was a bit unexpected. On the television landscape, HBO's Game of Thrones looks to be poised for a big night of wins.

The VES Awards seek to recognize outstanding visual effects artistry and innovation in film, animation, television, commercials and video games each year, as well as the crew that makes it all possible. In addition to the long list of awards categories, the Lifetime Achievement Award will be also presented to award-winning director-producer Sir Ridley Scott.


The 2016 VES Awards will be held on February 2nd at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Here's a look at some of the 14th Annual VES Awards 23 categories and their nominees:

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature

  • Furious 7
  • San Andreas
  • Star Wars: The Force Awakens
  • Mad Max: Fury Road
  • The Martian

Outstanding Animated Performance in a Photoreal Feature

  • Star Wars: The Force Awakens; Maz
  • The Revenant; The Bear
  • Avengers: Age of Ultron; Hulk
  • Chappie; Chappie

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode

  • Nezlamna; Sea Dogfight
  • Childhood's End; Night Three
  • Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell; Arabella
  • The Strain; Identity
  • Game of Thrones; The Dance of Dragons

Image via Netflix[/caption]

Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode

  • Vikings; To the Gates
  • Black Sails; XVIII
  • Penny Dreadful; And They Were Enemies
  • Daredevil; Speak of the Devil
  • Agent Carter; Now Is Not the End

Outstanding Visual Effects in an Animated Feature

  • The Peanuts Movie
  • Inside Out
  • Anomalisa
  • Hotel Transylvania 2
  • The Good Dinosaur

Outstanding Animated Performance in an Animated Feature

  • The Peanuts Movie; Snoopy
  • The Peanuts Movie; Charlie Brown
  • Inside Out; Joy
  • The Good Dinosaur; Spot

Outstanding Compositing in a Photoreal Feature

  • San Andreas; Los Angeles Destruction
  • Star Wars: The Force Awakens
  • Tomorrowland
  • Mad Max: Fury Road
  • The Revenant; Bear Attack

Image via Warner Bros.[/caption]

Outstanding Effects Simulations in a Photoreal Feature

  • Mad Max: Fury Road; Toxic Storm
  • Avengers: Age of Ultron; Hulk vs Hulkbuster
  • San Andreas; Hoover Dam / San Francisco Tsunami
  • San Andreas; Los Angels Destruction
  • Star Wars: The Force Awakens; Starkiller Base

Outstanding Effects Simulations in an Animated Feature

  • Inside Out
  • The Peanuts Movie
  • The Good Dinosaur
  • Home