Author: Stephen Ibrahim

The 24th Annual Visual Effects Society (VES) Awards took place on February 25, 2026, in Los Angeles, celebrating excellence in visual effects across film, television, animation, commercials, games, and immersive experiences.

Widely regarded as one of the most prestigious honors in the global VFX industry, the VES Awards recognize the artists and technical teams behind some of the year’s most visually ambitious productions. This year’s ceremony reflected the expanding scope of visual storytelling from blockbuster cinema to streaming series, animated features, and real-time interactive media.

Below is the full list of major winners from the 2026 ceremony.

Feature Film Categories

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature 

Winner: Avatar: Fire and Ash

Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature

Winner: Sinners

Outstanding Animation in an Animated Feature

Winner: KPop Demon Hunters

Television & Episodic

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode

Winner: Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age — “The Big Freeze”

Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode

Winner: The Residence — “The Fall of the House of Usher”

Real-Time, Commercial & Special Venue

Outstanding Visual Arts in a Real-Time Project

Winner: Ghost of Yōtei

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Commercial

Winner: BMW — “Heart of Joy | Meet Okto the Octopus”

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Special Venue Project

Winner: Sphere presentation of The Wizard of Oz

Character Awards

Outstanding Character in a Photoreal Feature

Winner: Avatar: Fire and Ash — Varang, Leader of the Ash Clan

Outstanding Character in an Animated Feature

Winner: KPop Demon Hunters — Rumi

Outstanding Character in an Episodic or Real-Time Project

Winner: IT: Welcome to Derry — The Pickle Monster

Environment Awards

Outstanding Environment in a Photoreal Feature

Winner: Avatar: Fire and Ash — Bridgehead Industrial City

Outstanding Environment in an Animated Feature

Winner: Zootopia 2 — Marsh Market

Outstanding Environment in an Episodic or Real-Time Project

Winner: Andor — The Senate District

Technical Achievement Categories

Outstanding CG Cinematography

Winner: Avatar: Fire and Ash

Outstanding Model in a Photoreal or Animated Project

Winner: Avatar: Fire and Ash — The Windtraders’ Gondola

Outstanding Effects Simulations in a Photoreal Feature

Winner: Avatar: Fire and Ash

Outstanding Effects Simulations in an Animated Feature

Winner: KPop Demon Hunters

Outstanding Special (Practical) Effects in a Photoreal Project

Winner: Andor — “Who Are You?”

Outstanding Compositing & Lighting in a Commercial

Winner: BMW — “Heart of Joy | Meet Okto the Octopus”

Emerging Technology Award

Winner: Avatar: Fire and Ash — Kora Fire Toolset

Special Honors

The ceremony also recognized long-standing contributions to the craft:

VES Lifetime Achievement Award

Winner: Jerry Bruckheimer

Visionary Award

Winner: Richard Taylor

The 24th Annual Visual Effects Society (VES) Awards delivered a clear frontrunner for this year’s awards season conversation. Avatar: Fire and Ash, directed by James Cameron, emerged as the night’s biggest winner, taking home seven awards and reaffirming the franchise’s technical supremacy in modern cinema.

Nigerian music star Tiwa Savage has officially unveiled the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation, a new initiative focused on empowering emerging African creatives through access, mentorship, and world-class music education.

The announcement was made via her official Instagram handle, where she described the move as a full-circle moment after years of building an international career. “After years of building globally… It’s time to build at home,” she wrote.

According to the foundation’s introduction, the initiative is dedicated to supporting emerging and underrepresented creatives across the continent. The goal is to equip young artists with the skills, industry knowledge, confidence, and professional networks needed to thrive in today’s competitive music landscape.

As part of its launch, the foundation is partnering with Berklee College of Music in the United States for a four-day intensive programme. The programme will provide selected participants with hands-on training in songwriting, performance, music production, and the business side of music.

Tiwa Savage teased that further announcements are expected, urging followers to stay tuned for a major update. With anticipation building around the initiative, more details regarding application processes, programme structure, and long-term plans are likely to be revealed soon.

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The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has officially revealed its nominees for the Class of 2026, setting up one of the most stylistically diverse ballots in recent memory.

From classic rock and heavy metal to R&B, hip-hop, and global pop, this year’s list reflects the institution’s ongoing evolution and its widening definition of what “rock and roll” represents.

Inductees will be announced in April 2026, with the official ceremony scheduled for later in the year.

The Full List of 2026 Nominees

The artists nominated for induction are:

The Black Crowes
Jeff Buckley
Mariah Carey
Phil Collins
Melissa Etheridge
Lauryn Hill
Billy Idol
INXS
Iron Maiden
Joy Division / New Order
New Edition
Oasis
P!nk
Sade
Shakira
Luther Vandross
Wu-Tang Clan

The Rock Hall has increasingly embraced a broader interpretation of its mission, inducting artists across genres beyond traditional rock. The 2026 ballot continues that trajectory.

Hip-hop’s influence is represented by Wu-Tang Clan and Lauryn Hill. R&B and soul appear through Mariah Carey, Luther Vandross, Sade, and New Edition. Meanwhile, rock traditionalists will point to Iron Maiden, Oasis, The Black Crowes, and Billy Idol.

Jeff Buckley’s nomination underscores the Hall’s recognition of short but culturally significant careers, while Joy Division/New Order represents one of the most influential transitions in alternative music history from post-punk to synth-driven new wave.

The inclusion of Shakira highlights the growing acknowledgment of global pop influence, while Sade’s nomination carries particular resonance across the UK, US, and Africa. For Nigerian audiences, Sade remains one of the most internationally successful artists of Nigerian heritage.

Artists become eligible for nomination 25 years after the release of their first commercial recording. From this ballot, a select number will be voted into the Class of 2026.

The final inductees will be announced in April 2026, followed by a ceremony later in the year.

The Nigeria film industry achieved a major global milestone with The Black Book  in 2023. Directed, produced, and co-written by Editi Effiong under Anakle Films, this crime thriller became the first Nigerian movie to reach No. 3 on Netflix’s worldwide film charts. It amassed over 20 million views in its opening weeks, appearing in the Top 10 in more than 69 countries.

The story centers on Paul Edima (played by Richard Mofe-Damijo), a former government hitman now living as a deacon. When his son is framed for a kidnapping and murdered by a corrupt police gang to cover up high-level corruption, Paul returns to his violent past to seek justice and revenge. The narrative explores themes of police brutality, government corruption, redemption, and the fight for justice in contemporary Nigeria.

The cast featured Nollywood veterans including Richard Mofe-Damijo in the lead, alongside Ade Laoye, Sam Dede, Shaffy Bello, Alex Usifo, Olumide Oworu, Kelechi Udegbe, Iretiola Doyle, Femi Branch, and Taiwo Ajai-Lycett. Made on a budget of approximately $1 million considered substantial for a Nigerian production; the film emphasized high production values, including Panavision lenses, to meet international standards.

With international partnerships, a broadened cast, and a deeper narrative arc, Old Scores signals a bold evolution not just for the franchise, but for Nollywood’s positioning on the world stage.

The Black Book 2: Old Scores, announced by Anakle Films in February 2026, Editi Effiong returns as writer and director. The project partners with Emmy-nominated producer Nicky Weinstock (known for Apple TV+’s Severance) through his Invention Studios, alongside producer Mimi Bartels. Principal photography has wrapped according to reports, and the film is in post-production, with a theatrical release planned in Nigerian cinemas. However, no exact date or streaming details have been confirmed. 

The cast announcement revealed a stacked ensemble blending returning stars and new additions:

• Richard Mofe-Damijo (returning as Paul Edima)
• Kate Henshaw
• Bright Okpocha (Basketmouth)
• Shaffy Bello (returning)
• Alex Usifo (returning)
• William Benson
• Masami Kosaka
• Rick Kiesewetter
• Soibifaa Dokubo
• Mallum Arik
• Sola Fosudo
• Ejike Asiegbu
• Bob-Manuel Udokwu
• Emeka Okoye
• And others including Chidi Ajufo, Awe Ayobami, and more.

Production scaled up significantly, involving a 300-strong crew from Nigeria, the US, UK, China, Japan, and beyond, marking one of the largest Nigerian productions to date and aiming for even greater global impact.

A reboot of the iconic sci-fi series The X-Files is officially moving forward at Hulu, with filmmaker Ryan Coogler attached to write and direct the pilot episode, marking his first television directing credit, while also serving as an executive producer.

The project has now taken a major step forward with the casting of Danielle Deadwyler as one of its two central leads.

The series is being produced by 20th Television, which controls the franchise rights, alongside Coogler’s production company Proximity Media. Original creator Chris Carter remains attached as an executive producer, maintaining a creative bridge to the original franchise.

The X-Files debuted in 1993 and became one of television’s most influential sci-fi dramas, blending paranormal investigations with government conspiracy. The series followed FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as they explored unexplained phenomena across the United States.

The upcoming reboot is expected to reimagine the core premise for a new generation, centering on two contrasting FBI agents investigating mysterious and unexplainable cases. While specific character details remain under wraps, reports indicate Deadwyler will portray one half of the investigative duo. Casting for the second lead has yet to be announced.

Danielle Deadwyler has steadily built a reputation as one of the most compelling dramatic performers of her generation. She received widespread acclaim for her performance in Till and has appeared in projects including The Piano Lesson, Carry-On, and I Saw the TV Glow.

Ryan Coogler, best known for directing Black Panther and Creed, has steadily expanded his presence in television production in recent years. His involvement signals a prestige approach to the reboot, positioning it as a serious creative reworking rather than a simple continuation.

He will serve as executive producer alongside his Proximity Media partners, while Carter is attached in a non-writing executive producer capacity, maintaining a connective thread to the original franchise.

The series will be showrun by Jennifer Yale, whose credits include work on See, Legion, Dexter: New Blood, and The Copenhagen Test. Yale’s experience in serialized genre storytelling provides experienced television oversight to balance Coogler’s feature-film background.

Meanwhile, Carter’s continued executive producer role ensures continuity with the franchise’s mythology, though he is not expected to be involved in day-to-day writing.

When The X-Files first premiered in 1993, it became one of television’s most influential sci-fi dramas. The series ran for nine seasons before concluding in 2002, later returning for revival seasons between 2016 and 2018. It reshaped genre television, blending paranormal investigations with government conspiracy arcs and philosophical debates about belief, truth, and institutional secrecy.

Original stars like Gillian Anderson, who portrayed Dana Scully, have previously expressed conditional openness to revisiting the universe under the right creative circumstances. However, no legacy casting has been confirmed for the reboot.

MGM+ has officially renewed Robin Hood for Season 2, according to a report by Variety. Like its debut installment, the upcoming season will consist of 10 episodes.

The renewal comes as the series continues to position itself as one of MGM+’s flagship historical dramas, blending political tension, romance, and war-time trauma into a darker, character-driven interpretation of the Robin Hood myth.

Season 2 is expected to expand beyond the forests of Nottingham, widening its political landscape and deepening the ideological battle at the heart of the story. If Season 1 focused on Robin’s return from war and his awakening to corruption at home, the next chapter appears set to explore the cost of rebellion both personally and nationally.

The series follows a young, hardened Robin who returns to England disillusioned, only to find his homeland gripped by tyranny. As resistance forms, the line between hero and outlaw continues to blur.

Jack Patten leads the series as Robin, with Lauren McQueen portraying Marian. Sean Bean co-stars as the Sheriff of Nottingham, adding gravitas to the show’s central conflict.

Showrunner John Glenn is set to return for Season 2, maintaining continuity in tone and storytelling as the drama scales up.

Robin Hood has stood out for its grounded, politically charged approach. Rather than leaning heavily on folklore spectacle, the series frames its story through power struggles, loyalty, and moral ambiguity.

By sticking to a 10-episode structure again, MGM+ appears committed to a tight, cinematic format rather than stretching the narrative thin.

An official premiere date for Season 2 has not yet been announced, but production is expected to begin later this year.

Nollywood actor Ray Emodi has announced a major career shift, revealing that he is stepping away from acting to focus fully on music.

In a video shared on his social media platforms, the actor addressed fans directly, stating that while he appreciates the support he has received from movie lovers over the years, his creative direction is changing.

“I love every Nollywood fan, but I’m going to make music for the dance floor. I want to make music for people that are knacking. We’re working on my EP,” he said.

The announcement has sparked widespread reactions across social media, with many fans expressing surprise at what appears to be a complete transition from film to music even though he has been dropping clips of him singing on his social media handles. 

Ray Emodi, who has built a reputation as one of Nollywood’s charismatic leading men in recent years, suggested that the decision was not made lightly. According to him, his family does not support the move. He explained that his family has a reputation to protect and certain expectations, which makes the switch even more complicated.

While he did not confirm an official release date for the EP, he stated that work is already in progress. As of now, no tracklist or collaborators have been publicly announced.

The actor’s pivot reflects a broader trend of entertainers exploring multiple creative lanes, though it remains unclear whether this is a permanent exit from film or a temporary break to focus on music. Emodi did not explicitly state that he would never return to acting, but his comments suggest a serious commitment to his new path.

For now, fans await further details on the EP and what his sound will ultimately deliver. Whether the transition will reshape his public image or expand his fanbase. 

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Nollywood is once again preparing for a deeply emotional cinematic moment. Kilanko: The Invisible Child, the latest project from actor turned producer Rotimi Salami, is set to hit Nigerian cinemas this March and it carries more weight than a typical film release.

Beyond its storyline, Kilanko stands as one of the final directorial works of Allwell Ademola, whose passing in late 2025 sent shockwaves through the industry. Although she passed away before the film’s release, Kilanko now serves as a posthumous showcase of her artistry. It reminds Nollywood and its audiences of the power a director has in giving stories life, and it reveals  her place as one of the industry’s talents. Beyond this single film, her work continues to influence emerging filmmakers who aspire to combine commercial appeal with meaningful narratives.

In the broader context of Nigerian cinema, Allwell Ademola’s legacy is about showing the value of perspective and empathy. Her final directorial effort ensures that, even in absence, her voice continues to resonate not just in the themes she explored, but in the standard of storytelling she leaves behind.

While official plot details remain guarded, Kilanko: The Invisible Child has been described as an emotional drama exploring hidden pain, sacred sacrifice, and maternal resilience. The title alone suggests a narrative centered on a child overlooked by society; physically present, yet emotionally unseen.

Early descriptions from the production team hint at themes that resonate strongly within Nigerian communities: neglect, family bonds, and the quiet strength of mothers who endure more than they reveal. If executed with depth, the film could join the growing class of socially reflective Nollywood dramas that prioritize storytelling over spectacle.

The film brings together respected Nollywood veterans, including:

• Saidi Balogun
• Ibrahim Chatta
• Biola Adebayo
• Saka Oyetoro

With Rotimi Salami also appearing on screen, the ensemble suggests a production rooted in performance-driven storytelling. 

For Salami, this project represents another step in his evolution from actor to full-fledged producer. In recent years, Nollywood has seen a wave of performers stepping behind the camera to control narrative direction and production quality. Kilanko appears to sit firmly within that shift.

The emotional core of this release lies in its direction. Allwell Ademola was widely respected for her ability to craft intimate, character-focused stories. Her involvement elevates Kilanko beyond commercial expectations; it becomes a preservation of artistic legacy.

For an industry still experiencing the loss of influential creatives, the film offers audiences a chance to witness one of her final creative visions on the big screen.

Kilanko: The Invisible Child is scheduled to premiere on March 1, 2026, before opening nationwide in Nigerian cinemas on March 6, 2026.

The March window positions it strategically outside the heavy December blockbuster season, giving it space to breathe and potentially build word of mouth momentum.

If early anticipation translates into box office interest, Kilanko could become one of the more emotionally discussed Nollywood releases of the first quarter of 2026.

More than a decade after their historic first encounter, boxing legends Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao have officially announced a professional rematch, reigniting one of the biggest rivalries in modern boxing history.

The two icons, now aged 48 and 47 respectively, confirmed that they will meet again on September 19, 2026, in Las Vegas. The fight is scheduled to take place at Sphere, the technologically advanced venue that has quickly become one of the most talked-about arenas in the United States. Organizers are already positioning the bout as potentially the most expensive fight ever staged, citing expected global streaming numbers, sponsorship deals, and gate revenue.

The rematch will be streamed worldwide on Netflix, marking another major step in the platform’s expansion into live sports broadcasting. Industry analysts believe the global reach of the streaming giant could significantly surpass traditional pay-per-view models, opening the door for record-breaking viewership figures.

Their first bout in 2015, famously dubbed “The Fight of the Century,” generated over $600 million in total revenue and remains one of the highest-grossing fights in boxing history. Mayweather won that contest via unanimous decision, maintaining his undefeated professional record. However, the fight drew criticism at the time from some fans who felt it came several years after both fighters were at their peak.

This second meeting carries a different narrative. Both men have remained visible in the sport; Mayweather through high-profile exhibition bouts and Pacquiao through intermittent returns to competitive boxing and public life in the Philippines. The rematch now appears driven as much by legacy and spectacle as by competition.

Promoters have yet to release full details regarding purse splits, undercard matchups, or ticket pricing, but early projections suggest the event could challenge or even surpass previous financial records set by their first encounter.

With two Hall of Fame careers already secured, the rematch between Mayweather and Pacquiao is shaping up to be less about proving greatness and more about delivering one final global boxing event of historic commercial scale.

Veteran American actor Robert Carradine has died at the age of 71, his family confirmed on February 23, 2026.

Carradine was best known for his role as the socially awkward but determined Lewis Skolnick in the 1984 cult comedy Revenge of the Nerds, a performance that turned him into a pop culture icon of the 1980s. Decades later, he introduced himself to a new generation as Sam McGuire, the supportive father in Disney Channel’s hit series Lizzie McGuire.

His family said he had been living with bipolar disorder for nearly two decades. In a statement, they described him as a deeply creative spirit who remained resilient despite personal struggles, and they expressed hope that sharing his story would help reduce stigma surrounding mental health conversations.

Born into the legendary Carradine acting family, Robert was the son of actor John Carradine and part of a Hollywood dynasty that includes brothers David and Keith Carradine. Over a career spanning more than five decades, he built a resume that stretched far beyond his most famous roles.

In the early 1970s, he appeared in notable films such as The Cowboys alongside John Wayne and Martin Scorsese’s crime drama Mean Streets. Though often associated with comedy because of Revenge of the Nerds, Carradine demonstrated versatility across genres, working steadily in television and film throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.

His portrayal of Lewis Skolnick became a defining character of its era; emblematic of underdog triumph and campus comedy culture. Meanwhile, his role in Lizzie McGuire secured his place in millennial childhood nostalgia, portraying a grounded, humorous father figure in one of Disney Channel’s most beloved early-2000s series.

Tributes from colleagues and fans have begun pouring in across social media, with many remembering his warmth, wit, and lasting cultural impact.

Robert Carradine leaves behind a body of work that bridged generations, from cult comedy classic to family television staple. 

May his soul rest in peace.