The Visual Effects Society has announced Hiroyuki Sanada and Takashi Yamazaki as the recipients of its Award for Creative Excellence and Visionary Award.
At the 23rd VES Awards, which will take place Feb. 11 at the Beverly Hilton, the VES Board of Directors till honor Sanada and Yamazaki for their work on FX‘s Shōgun and Godzilla Minus One, respectively.
Sanada, who became the first Japanese actor to win a Primetime Emmy Award after producing and starring in Shōgun, will receive the Award for Creative Excellence, recognizing “exceptional roles in Japanese and Hong Kong action films and dramatic cinema for more than five decades, and his impact as a cultural ambassador for Japan.”
“Hiroyuki Sanada has been at the center point of compelling cinematic stories that use visual effects to enhance unforgettable storytelling for decades,” said VES Chair Kim Davidson. “As a longtime adviser for Hollywood films to ensure authentic depictions of Japanese history to serving as the creative force behind juggernaut drama Shōgun, Sanada’s work has left an indelible mark on the global cultural landscape. We are thrilled to honor him with the VES Award for Creative Excellence!”
The award goes to those who have made significant and lasting contributions to the art and science of visual effects and cinematic entertainment, with Guillermo del Toro, David Benioff & D.B. Weiss, Sheena Duggal, Robert Legato and William Shatner previously winning.
Yamazaki, who wrote and directed Godzilla Minus One, is being honored with the Visionary Award for his “consummate artistry, expansive storytelling and profound ability to use visual effects to bring his unique visions to life.”
“Takashi Yamazaki is a renowned talent in Japanese cinema, who accomplished a significant feat when he became only the second director to win an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, and in the process reinvigorated a legendary kaiju franchise,” said Davidson. “Yamazaki has been at the forefront in using visual effects to tell remarkable stories that transfix audiences and create unforgettable cinematic experiences. As a creative force who has made an indelible mark in the world of filmed entertainment, we are honored to award him with the prestigious VES Visionary Award.”
With previous recipients including Christopher Nolan, Ang Lee, Alfonso Cuarôn, J.J. Abrams and Roland Emmerich, the Visionary Award goes to those who uniquely and consistently employ the art and science of visual effects to foster imagination and ignite future discoveries by way of artistry, invention and groundbreaking work.
English (US) ·