Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony Awards ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect personal preferences for any individual contender. As other formal (and informal) polls suggest, competitions are fluid and subject to change based on buzz and events. Predictions are updated every Thursday.
Explore Awards Circuit Predictions PagesOscars | Emmys | Grammys | Tonys
Best Visual Effects Commentary (Updated Dec. 18, 2024): Variety exclusively reported the internal top 20 finalists shared among the branch members. The branch didn’t fall in line for artificial intelligence and de-aging with Sony Pictures’ “Here” or the sandy effects of Warner Bros’ “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.” Instead, they opted for the grim reality of Alex Garland’s “Civil War” and the devastating tornados of Lee Isaac Chung’s “Twisters.”
This could be a tight race between “Dune: Part Two,” “Gladiator II” and “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” This is also where “Wicked” can show its strength in the crafts categories.
The Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee determined the shortlist. All members of the Visual Effects Branch will be invited to view excerpts and interviews with the artists from each shortlisted film on Jan. 11. Branch members will vote to nominate five films for final Oscar consideration.
The 97th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 2. All movie listings, titles, distributors, and credited artisans are not final and are subject to change.
More Information (Oscars: Visual Effects)
About the Academy Awards
The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, is Hollywood’s most prestigious artistic award in the film industry. Since 1927, nominees and winners have been selected by members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). Nineteen branches are represented within the nearly 11,000-person membership. The branches are actors, animators, associates, casting directors, cinematographers, costume designers, directors, documentary, executives, film editors, makeup and hairstylists, marketing and public relations, members-at-large, members-at-large (artists’ representatives), music, producers, production design, short films, sound, visual effects and writers.