The New York Section of the Visual Effects Society (VES), the industry’s professional global honourary society has announced the forthcoming recipients of its 10th Annual VES NY Awards. The-Artery director, VFX supervisor, and founder Vico Sharabani will receive the VES NY Empire Award, and Boris FX SynthEyes creator and developer Dr Russ Andersson will be honoured with the VES NY Empire Technology Award. The awards celebration will take place on 27 June 2024, at 230 Fifth (Rooftop Bar) in Manhattan.
The VES NY Empire Award recognises 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 honours outstanding achievement in visual effects technological innovation. During the event, VES New York section members whose work in recent years has been recognised at the prestigious VES Awards will also be celebrated for their creative excellence.
“As we celebrate the 10th Annual VES New York Awards, we are honoured 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 VES New York Section board chairman Jose Marin. “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 revolutionised 3D camera tracking, enabling countless successful film and television productions.”
Sharabani will receive the 2024 Empire Award in recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to the advertising and film industry over the past 26 years. His 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 computer scientist and expert in real-time computer vision and robotics. In 2003, Andersson began developing SynthEyes, a 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.
Previous recipients of the VES Empire Award include award-winning title designer and visual effects supervisor Randy Balsmeyer; Blue Sky Studios director and co-founder Darren Aronofsky; acclaimed visual effects supervisor Lesley Robson-Foster; and a pioneer in the field of graphics research Ken Perlin.