Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1542259
18 cgw o c t o b e r • n o v e m b e r • d e c e m b e r 2 0 2 5 OUTLOOK 2026 a s we look ahead to 2026, the entertainment industry contin- ues undergoing consolidation and transformation—and visual effects sit squarely at the center of this evolution. Today, visual effects is truly a global cra. From Hollywood to London, Mum- bai to Montreal, Sydney to Seoul, artists and technologists are joining forces across continents, using realtime tools and virtual production to create stunning imagery that transports audiences everywhere. As studios and streamers merge, the effects are felt everywhere: production pipelines are tightening, budgets are being restructured, and creative decisions are increasingly driven by data and efficiency. While these changes can streamline operations and concentrate the work among a smaller number of facilities and vendors, it has led to a redistribution of the global workforce. At the same time, AI is redefining how content can be produced. To expedite production, some rote tasks—such as compositing, ro- toscoping, and asset creation—are now being more efficiently han- dled by AI. VFX artists are innovating creative uses for AI, including building AI-powered workflows that offer new efficiencies and creative possibilities. Yet these advances also spark valid concerns about job displacement, authorship, and fair compensation for the artists whose imagination fuels these technologies. Despite these disruptions, there is tremendous promise ahead. Global demand for high-quality content continues to grow, and VFX remains indispensable to nearly every form of entertainment—from film and television to animation, gaming, and immersive experiences. Around the world, emerging markets are strengthening their produc- tion capabilities, creating a more interconnected and collaborative VFX ecosystem. To support practitioners of the cra, the Visual Effects Society (VES) continues to educate members and the industry on how AI can become a vital tool for artists to master, and how it can be the catalyst for advanced creative innovation in visual storytelling. VES is a global honorary society of top-tier VFX practitioners, and proudly supports more than 5,500 members in 50-plus countries with edu- cation, inspiration, and community. With 16 member sections around the globe, VES is a powerful convener for artists, producers, supervisors, and VFX practitioners worldwide. VES celebrates the most innovative visual effects work in the industry each year at the annual VES Awards, and helps nurture future generations of VFX practitioners. As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the world's stories will keep relying on the innovation, skill, and vision of the VFX community to bring imagination to life. VFX WILL BE AT THE HEART OF ENTERTAINMENT'S NEXT CHAPTER BY NANCY WARD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: VISUAL EFFECTS SOCIETY (VES)