Rookie Awards 2019
Started in 2010, this is our biggest annual contest. It's open to young creatives in visual effects, animation, games, virtual reality, motion graphics and 3d visualisation. There is simply no better way to launch your career and start sharing your amazing work online.
Major
Autodesk
Autodesk is a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. Customers across the manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, and media and entertainment industries—including the last 22 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects—use Autodesk software to design, visualize, and simulate their ideas before they’re ever built or created. From blockbuster visual effects and buildings that create their own energy to electric cars and the batteries that power them, the work of our 3D software customers is everywhere you look.
Platinum
Blackmagic Design
Blackmagic Design has grown rapidly to become one of the world’s leading innovators and manufacturers of creative video technology. And that’s because its philosophy is refreshing and simple – to help true creativity blossom.
Blackmagic Design’s founders have had a long history in post-production editing and engineering. With extensive experiences in high-end telecine, film and post, harnessed with a real passion for perfection, Blackmagic Design set out to change the industry forever.
Epic Games
Epic Games’ Unreal Engine technology brings high-quality games to PC, console, mobile, VR and AR platforms. Developers also use Unreal to create photorealistic visualizations, interactive product designs, films, virtual productions, mixed reality TV broadcasts and animated entertainment.
Shutterstock
Shutterstock is a leading global technology company offering a creative platform for high-quality assets, tools and services, powering the creative process. Shutterstock serves marketing agencies, media organizations, production companies around the world. Working with its growing community of over 250,000 contributors, Shutterstock adds hundreds of thousands of images each week, and currently has more than 150 million images and more than 8 million video clips available.
Substance by Adobe
Substance, an Adobe company, is the industry standard for texturing and material authoring. Substance develops the new generation of 3D texturing software: Substance Painter, Substance Designer and Substance Alchemist. With most AAA game studios using these tools, Substance has become the industry standard for creating next-generation PBR (Physically Based Rendering) assets. These tools are also rapidly expanding to the VFX/Film and Design industries.
Unity
Unity is the world’s leading platform for creating and operating real-time 3D (RT3D) content. Creators, ranging from game developers to artists, architects, automotive designers, filmmakers, and others, use Unity to make their imaginations come to life. Unity’s platform provides a comprehensive set of software solutions to create, run and monetize interactive, real-time 2D and 3D content for mobile phones, tablets, PCs, consoles, and augmented and virtual reality devices. The company’s 1,800+ person research and development team keeps Unity at the forefront of development by working alongside partners to ensure optimized support for the latest releases and platforms. Apps developed by Unity creators were downloaded more than five billion times per month in 2020.
Gold
Chaos
Chaos is a world leader in computer graphics technology, empowering artists and designers to create photorealistic imagery and animation across all creative industries. Chaos develops 3D rendering and simulation software that is used daily by top design studios, architectural firms, advertising agencies, and visual effects companies around the globe. In 2017, the firm’s physically based renderer, V-Ray, was honored with an Academy Award for its role in the widespread adoption of ray-traced rendering for motion pictures. Today, the company’s advancements in ray tracing, cloud rendering, and real-time visualization are shaping the future of design communication and storytelling. Founded in 1997, Chaos is privately owned with offices in Sofia, Prague, Seoul, Tokyo, and Los Angeles. For more information visit chaosgroup.com.
Foundry
Foundry designs creative software technologies used to deliver award-winning visual effects and 3D content for the design, visualization and entertainment industries. Foundry’s software advances the art and technology of visual experience in partnership with creative leaders across the globe. It enables clients like Pixar, Mercedes-Benz, ILM, Weta Digital, The Moving Picture Company and Sony Pictures Imageworks to turn incredible ideas into reality by solving complex creative challenges.
Pixologic
Founded in 1997, Pixologic Incorporated develops and markets innovative software tools for the film and video, games, graphic design and illustration markets. ZBrush is a graphics application aimed at simplifying the science behind generating computer graphics. ZBrush appeals to a wide audience by providing empowering tools that give users intuitive and visual control over the digital images they create. By providing a unique synthesis of 2D and 3D capabilities in a single stand-alone tool, ZBrush collapses economic and ease-of-use barriers to creating stunning images.
SideFX
SideFX is a world leader in the development of 3D animation and visual effects software for use in film, commercials and video games. SideFX’s Academy Award-winning Houdini software utilizes a node-based procedural approach which provides digital artists with an unprecedented level of power, flexibility and control.
Houdini’s comprehensive feature set includes modelling, rigging, animation, particle effects, dynamics, compositing, integrated rendering, and more. Houdini is available for the Mac OS X, Linux and Windows operating systems.
Wacom
Inspired by natural human abilities to create, our patented pen and touch input technology allows freedom of expression, inspired creativity, and drastic improvements in productivity, control and comfort. From product development and graphic design to the media and entertainment sectors, Wacom facilitates the work of individuals and workgroups with truly natural ways to work with digital content.
At Wacom, we believe that technology should be easy to use and simple to understand. With products that rely on human intuition and natural movement, we strive to bring people and technology closer together.
Yellowdog
YellowDog is the ultimate Cloud Render solution. It gives studios and artists on-demand access to industry-leading computing power.
YellowDog supports cloud rendering for CPU and GPU pipelines with unrivalled scale, speed, and service.
Silver
3D Artist
3D Artist is an authoritative and well-respected source of inspiration for those working or aspiring to be working in the CGI industry. Every product in the 3D Artist portfolio features guides for awe-inspiring images, interviews and career advice from industry insiders and behind-the-scenes access on major 3D projects. 3D Artist covers all software and disciplines.
3D World
3D World is a magazine and website published by Future plc whose main focus is 3D animation, visual effects, videogame design, illustration and architectural visualisation.
3dtotal
3dtotal was founded in 1999 as a simple 3d resource website. Over the following years the site evolved into one of the world’s premier CG art websites, offering a variety of training products, an inspirational gallery, free texture libraries and hundreds of free tutorials on a variety of subjects. To this day 3dtotal continues to promote talented artists around the world and share insightful tutorials on a growing number of topics but has also established itself as one of the most exciting art book publishers in the world today, working with incredibly talented artists from a range of professional creative fields.
80.lv
80.lv is a media resource for game developers and 3d artists. The website covers a wide range of topics, from 3d modelling, material creation, to VFX production and environment design.
Over the years it became one of the best sources for 3d-related news and exclusive interviews with industry professionals.
AWN
Animation World Network is the largest animation-related publishing group on the Internet, providing readers from over 151 countries with a wide range of interesting, relevant and helpful information pertaining to all aspects of animation.
Covering areas as diverse as animator profiles, independent film distribution, commercial studio activities, licensing, CGI and other animation technologies, as well as in-depth coverage of current events in all fields of animation, AWN gives its readers an easy to navigate, visually and intellectually creative mechanism to electronically access a wealth of information previously unavailable anywhere in the world.
Animal Logic
Animal Logic is an independent Australian company that has been at the forefront of producing award-winning design, animation and visual effects for over 25 years. With creative studios in Sydney and Vancouver and offices for the company’s development arm, Animal Logic Entertainment, in Sydney and Los Angeles, Animal Logic continues to forge new partnerships
and collaborations with leading studios and filmmakers to develop and produce stories that resonate with a global audience.
Axis Studios
Axis is a multi award winning animation and VFX studio.
We’ve built a global reputation for creating commissioned and original entertainment experiences in Film, Television, Games and Theme Parks.
Axis Studios is building on our track record of creating narratively compelling work in animated entertainment & VFX, to originate and deliver groundbreaking content of the highest quality that engages audiences worldwide.
BVN
BVN is an architecture studio with origins in Australia. Our 90-year-old heritage has allowed us to create a broad portfolio of built work internationally. We value design, diversity and innovation.
CG Cookie
We create brilliant training for animation artists and game developers. With streaming videos made by a team of VFX and game addicts, we teach 3D based on open-source software Blender, and game development based on Unity. Our goal is to teach digital art the right way: focusing on WHY rather than just showing HOW.
With tutors who are not anonymous droids but real humans who respond to emails and say hi via live stream, and an incredibly supportive global community of 1000s of artists working towards their dreams, CG Cookie is the most fun alternative to a traditional art school (minus the tuition loans).
CG Record
Managed by CG Record Media, CG Record is a website for Computer Graphics Artist. We publish news about CG software and put a spotlight a CG work.
CVDVFX
CVD VFX is an award-winning, full-service visual effects studio based in North Vancouver. Focusing on compositing and industry-leading stylization, our studio is recognized for consistently and professionally delivering the highest quality in VFX.
Some recent credits include Game over, man! | 12 Strong | Dirk Gently s2 | Fargo s3 | Dark Matter s3 | Lemony Snickets: A series of Unfortunate Events | The Shack | Mass Effect: Andromeda | Anthem
DNEG
We are DNEG, one of the world’s leading visual effects (VFX) and animation companies for the creation of feature film, television, and multiplatform content. DNEG employs more than 10,000 people with worldwide offices and studios across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Electric Theatre Collective
Electric Theatre Collective is a visual effects company with a difference: we are a young collective of artists and makers with a point of view and we pride ourselves on our new ideas, creativity and above all, people. Since setting up shop in Soho in 2011, London, Electric Theatre has established itself as a leading post house. Fast Forward to 2015 and a handpicked team of talent crossed the Atlantic and landed in Los Angeles to launch our stateside venture.
Image Engine
Image Engine is a visual effects studio based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Founded in 1995, the studio specializes in character/creature design and animation, digital environments, VFX supervision, and concept art among other services.
Monolith Productions
Monolith Productions – From the moment we plugged in our first PC in October ’94, Monolith has been obsessed with combining stunning visuals, inventive narratives and cutting-edge technology to bring a distinctive gaming experience to both PC and console. Starting with our first PC game, the terrifying, first-person action game Blood, straight through to our latest release, third-person action game Middle-earth: Shadow of War, our passion for storytelling and dedication to creating unique gaming experiences continues to drive us to bring immersive gaming experiences to our fans.
NetherRealm Studios
The creative team that brought the Mortal Kombat franchise to life is now NetherRealm Studios, part of the Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment family. With over 20 years of creation under our belts, NetherRealm’s mission remains the same; to create cutting-edge entertainment and deliver industry-leading tech, game art and overall gaming experiences. NetherRealm Studios is a collaborative and creative environment, constantly striving to up the ante on what is possible in interactive entertainment.
Ninja Theory
Ninja Theory Ltd. was formed in 2004 by four partners, including current Directors Nina Kristensen (Chief Development Director), Tameem Antoniades (Chief Creative Director) and Jez San OBE (Non-Executive Director). The studio pride themselves on striving for the highest production values and continually pushing the boundaries of technology, art and design to create evermore exciting video game experiences.
The BAFTA award-winning developer of Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, Disney Infinity 3.0, DmC: Devil May Cry, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West and Heavenly Sword.
Polygon Pictures
Founded in July 1983, PPI is one of the largest digital animation studios in Japan and produces cutting-edge entertainment content in keeping with our mission is to do what no other has done, in unparalleled quality, for the world to see and enjoy.
Rodeo FX
Rodeo FX is renowned for its groundbreaking and award-winning visual imagery for Feature Films, Television Series and Commercials. Our state of the art facilities in Montreal, Quebec, Los Angeles and Munich house a collective of world-class VFX artists who combine their talent, imagination and technological innovation to create outstanding Visual Effects.
Since its inception in 2006, our team strive to discover new and innovative ways to deliver inspiring work. With experienced artistry, we take great pride in working collaboratively in order to help convey a director’s vision.
Sarofsky
Established in 2009, Sarofsky specializes in design-driven production, working with a broad range of clients in the advertising, broadcast, network, film and entertainment industries. Their artists use design, animation, visual effects, computer graphics, editorial and live action to collaborate with clients, from concept to delivery, producing work that is visceral, innovative and diverse. Sarofsky produces work that crosses all platforms, including commercials, television and film main title sequences, UI and HUD design animating and implementation, special sequences, short and long format social media content and assets for AR and VR.
Weta FX
Wētā FX is the standard-bearer for creativity and innovation in visual effects and animation, attracting talent, partners, and clients that seek to push what is possible in pursuit of their artistic vision. Based in Wellington, with offices in Vancouver and Melbourne, they are roughly 1,500 of the most ambitious artists, engineers, and executives you’re likely to meet.
Over the last 30 years, Wētā FX’s ground-breaking work has earned them six visual effects Academy Awards®, twelve Academy Sci-Tech Awards, and six visual effects BAFTA Awards, in addition to the 34 Visual Effects Society Awards awarded by their peers. They are known for performance-driven animated characters such as Neytiri, Gollum, Kong and Caesar, as well as the worlds they create, including Pandora, Middle-earth and countless others. Most recently, Wētā FX’s work on Avatar: The Way of Water amazed audiences with never-seen-before innovations in water, facial performance, and real-time depth compositing.