The Academy Award for Best Visual Effects at the 97th Oscars was awarded to Dune: Part Two, recognizing the exceptional work of Paul Lambert, Stephen James, Rhys Salcombe, and Gerd Nefzer. The film, directed by Denis Villeneuve, was praised for its groundbreaking VFX, which played a crucial role in bringing the vast and intricate world of Arrakis to life.
In his acceptance speech, Paul Lambert expressed gratitude to the Academy and acknowledged the contributions of Brice Parker, Jason Garber, the film’s cast and crew, and leading VFX studios, including DNEG, Wylie Co., Rodeo FX and Territory Studio. He also thanked director Denis Villeneuve for his vision.
Stephen James dedicated the award to Linda and extended his appreciation to the team at DNEG. Gerd Nefzer, speaking in German, thanked Villeneuve, his family, and his father-in-law Karl, who introduced him to the industry 38 years ago.
Other Nominees for Best Visual Effects:
- Alien: Romulus – Eric Barba, Nelson Sepulveda-Fauser, Daniel Macarin, and Shane Mahan
- Better Man – Luke Millar, David Clayton, Keith Herft, and Peter Stubbs
- Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes – Erik Winquist, Stephen Unterfranz, Paul Story, and Rodney Burke
- Wicked – Pablo Helman, Jonathan Fawkner, David Shirk, and Paul Corbould
With its stunning visual effects, Dune: Part Two continues to set new standards in cinematic world-building, solidifying its place as a landmark achievement in modern filmmaking.
