Category: Movies/TV

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.

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 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.

The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards, held on February 22 in London, saw a mix of industry veterans and rising stars take home the night’s most coveted trophies. One Battle After Another emerged as the biggest winner, sweeping both creative and technical categories under the direction of Paul Thomas Anderson.

Here’s a breakdown of the major categories and winners:

Best Film & Director

• Best Film: One Battle After Another
• Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another

Acting Awards

• Best Leading Actor: Robert Aramayo – I Swear
• Best Leading Actress: Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
• Best Supporting Actor: Sean Penn – One Battle After Another
• Best Supporting Actress: Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners
• EE Rising Star Award (public-voted): Robert Aramayo

Screenplay & Writing

• Original Screenplay: Sinners – Ryan Coogler
• Adapted Screenplay: One Battle After Another

Craft & Technical Awards

• Cinematography: One Battle After Another
• Editing: One Battle After Another
• Original Score: Sinners
• Sound: F1
• Casting: I Swear

Design & Production

• Production Design: Frankenstein
• Costume Design: Frankenstein
• Makeup & Hair: Frankenstein
• Visual Effects: Avatar: Fire and Ash

British & International Film

• Outstanding British Film: Hamnet
• Film Not in the English Language: Sentimental Value
• Best Animated Film: Zootropolis 2
• Best Children’s & Family Film: Boong
• Best Documentary: Mr. Nobody Against Putin
• Outstanding British Debut: My Father’s Shadow – Akinola Davies Jr & Wale Davies
• British Short Film: This Is Endometriosis
• British Short Animation: Two Black Boys in Paradise

Special Honors

• Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema: Clare Binns
• BAFTA Fellowship: Dame Donna Langley

With multiple wins in both creative and technical categories, One Battle After Another is now a clear frontrunner for the 2026 Oscars, while emerging talents like Robert Aramayo continue to make their mark on international cinema.

Cameras are officially rolling on Wednesday Season 3 in Ireland, marking the next phase of one of Netflix’s most valuable global franchises. Production has commenced this week, with principal photography underway across Irish locations that previously helped redefine the show’s gothic visual identity.

For a series that quickly became a cultural force, the start of filming is more than routine industry news. It signals expansion.

After relocating production to Ireland in Season 2, the series has kept the country as its long-term creative base. The decision is strategic. Ireland’s atmospheric landscapes enhance the show’s dark tone, while its historic architecture naturally aligns with Nevermore’s gothic aesthetic. The country also offers large-scale studio infrastructure capable of supporting an effects-heavy production.

Over time, Ireland has evolved into part of the show’s visual DNA. The fog, forests, and brooding estates elevate the tone without relying excessively on digital environments. Maintaining the same production base also suggests creative stability. Season 3 is building on a world that already feels defined rather than reinventing it.

A 2026 production start indicates a lengthy shoot ahead. Given the scale of the series; elaborate set design, creature effects, stunt choreography, and complex post-production layering, a 2027 release window appears likely. Netflix has not announced an official premiere date, but the beginning of filming confirms that development is well advanced and that the franchise remains a priority within the company’s global slate.

While no formal casting announcement has accompanied the production update, core members are widely expected to return, including Jenna Ortega, whose performance transformed Wednesday Addams into a generational anti-hero. Ortega’s portrayal, emotionally restrained, razor-sharp, and psychologically layered became central to the show’s breakout success. Season 3 now carries the responsibility of evolving that character without softening her defining traits.

When Wednesday debuted, it functioned as more than a reboot. It repositioned the Addams Family mythology for streaming-era audiences; stylized, culturally resonant, and narratively ambitious. The series balanced gothic horror, satire, teen mystery, and character-driven drama with surprising precision.

Season 3 represents a critical phase in that evolution. The mystery framework must continue to expand without becoming repetitive. The world may need to stretch beyond Nevermore while maintaining tonal consistency. The mythology must deepen without losing accessibility.

Nevermore’s gates are open again. And this time, expectations are even higher.

Nollywood’s historical renaissance is showing no signs of slowing down. With large-scale productions increasingly revisiting Nigeria’s pre-colonial and early colonial past, a new epic is now commanding attention: King Kosoko: The Battle for Lagos.

Set for release in 2026, the film dramatizes the turbulent reign of Oba Kosoko, who ruled Lagos between 1845 and 1851. His leadership unfolded during one of the most decisive moments in the city’s history; a period marked by political rivalry, resistance, and eventual confrontation with British colonial forces.

Historically, Oba Kosoko’s reign was defined by internal succession disputes and mounting tensions with the British, who sought to expand their influence along the West African coast.

The 1851 bombardment; often linked to what is known as the “Salt Water War” (Ogun Olomiro), became a turning point in Lagos history. The confrontation ultimately paved the way for increased British intervention and would later influence the eventual annexation of Lagos in 1861.

By bringing this chapter to the screen, the filmmakers are revisiting a defining moment in Nigeria’s historical trajectory, one that continues to spark scholarly and cultural discussion.

Award-winning actor Femi Adebayo leads the project in the title role. Known for his commanding screen presence and emotional range, Femi Adebayo’s casting signals the scale and seriousness of the production.

Early promotional materials suggest a performance grounded in authority and intensity; a portrayal likely to balance royal dignity with political defiance.

Joining him is a heavyweight ensemble cast that reflects Nollywood’s upper tier:

• Jide Kosoko
• Femi Branch
• Faithia Williams
• Gabriel Afolayan
• Odunlade Adekola (in a key supporting role)

The film is directed by Adebayo Tijani, a filmmaker associated with large-scale Yoruba historical storytelling. His previous works include Jagun Jagun and Olori Ogun, both noted for elaborate costuming, stylized battle sequences, and strong cultural detailing.

Producers Ayo Ajayi and Segun Olojo Kosoko are attached to the project, with the latter’s surname drawing attention due to its historic ties to the Kosoko lineage; a detail that has fueled conversations about authenticity and cultural consultation.

King Kosoko: The Battle for Lagos arrives amid a renewed appetite for Nigerian historical epics. Films like Jagun Jagun and Lisabi: A Legend Is Born have demonstrated that audiences are eager for stories rooted in indigenous history, folklore, and resistance narratives.

This resurgence marks an important evolution in Nollywood’s storytelling identity. For decades, contemporary dramas and comedies dominated the industry. Now, filmmakers are investing in: Cultural reclamation, Pre-colonial political narratives, Traditional aesthetics and language and Higher production value

For Nollywood, it represents something bigger: a growing confidence in telling African stories with epic scale and historical depth.

If executed with the care and ambition suggested by its early details, King Kosoko: The Battle for Lagos could become one of 2026’s defining Nigerian films.

Streamdorm will continue to update this story as trailers, confirmed release dates, and additional production details emerge.

Eric Dane reportedly completed filming his scenes for Season 3 of Euphoria before his death on Thursday, February 19, 2026. He was 53.

Multiple outlets have confirmed that the actor had wrapped production on the upcoming season of the HBO drama prior to his passing, meaning audiences will see his final performance when the new season premieres.

Dane, widely known for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy, played Cal Jacobs on Euphoria;  the complex and deeply flawed father of Nate Jacobs. His portrayal of Cal was one of the show’s most layered performances, exploring themes of repression, masculinity, and identity across the series’ first two seasons.

Nearly a year before his death, Dane publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons. Despite his diagnosis, he continued working, determined to fulfill his professional commitments.

Eric Dane, Grey’s Anatomy Star, Dies at 53 After Battle With ALS

Season 3 of Euphoria is scheduled to premiere in April 2026. HBO and members of the cast and crew have since paid tribute to Dane, describing him as a dedicated actor and a generous collaborator whose presence shaped the tone of the series.

His appearance in the forthcoming season will now stand as a final chapter in a career that spanned television, film, and stage and one last performance for fans who followed his journey from Grey’s Anatomy to Euphoria.

American actor Eric Dane, widely known for his role as Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy, has died at the age of 53 following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

According to multiple international reports, Dane passed away on February 19, 2026, nearly a year after publicly revealing his ALS diagnosis. His family confirmed that he died surrounded by loved ones.

Dane announced in April 2025 that he had been diagnosed with ALS; a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. The condition gradually weakens muscles and affects voluntary movements, including walking, speaking, swallowing, and breathing. There is currently no known cure.

Best known for his breakout role on Grey’s Anatomy, Dane joined the long-running ABC medical drama in 2006 and quickly became a fan favourite for his charismatic portrayal of the confident plastic surgeon, earning the nickname “McSteamy.” He remained on the series until 2012 and reprised the role in later appearances.

Beyond Grey’s Anatomy, Dane built a diverse career in both television and film. He starred as Cal Jacobs in the HBO drama Euphoria, appearing alongside a new generation of actors and introducing himself to younger audiences. His film credits include roles in X‑Men: The Last Stand and Marley & Me.

Following news of his death, tributes poured in from colleagues and fans across the entertainment industry, with many remembering him as a talented performer and devoted family man.

ALS, sometimes referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a fatal condition that progressively destroys nerve cells responsible for muscle movement. While treatments can help manage symptoms, the disease continues to worsen over time.

Dane is survived by his wife and children.

His passing marks the loss of a television icon whose impact on medical drama and contemporary television spanned nearly two decades.

May his soul rest in peace.