The nominees in 24 categories of film, animation, television, commercials, special venues and video games were chosen by VES members who viewed submissions at the FotoKem screening facilities in Burbank and New York, FotoKem’s Spy in San Francisco, and facilities in London, Sydney, Vancouver and Wellington. Winners will be announced Feb. 5 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Richard Edlund is  to receive the lifetime achievement award while Ang Lee is feted with the Visionary Award. 

MOVIES

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects-Driven Feature Motion Picture
"The Avengers"
"Battleship"
"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey"
"Life of Pi"
"Prometheus"

Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Feature Motion Picture
"Argo"
"Flight"
"The Impossible"
"Rust and Bone"
"Zero Dark Thirty"

Outstanding Animation in an Animated Feature Motion Picture
"Brave"
"Hotel Transylvania"
"ParaNorman"
"Rise of the Guardians"
"Wreck-It Ralph"

Outstanding Animated Character in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture
"The Avengers" – The Hulk
"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" – Goblin King
"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" – Gollum
"Life of Pi" – Richard Parker

Outstanding Animated Character in an Animated Feature Motion Picture
"Brave" – Argument
"Hotel Transylvania" – Dracula
"The Pirates: Band of Misfits!"
"Wreck-It Ralph" – Vanellope

Outstanding Created Environment in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture
"The Avengers" – Midtown Manhattan
"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" – Goblin Caverns
"Life of Pi" – Open Ocean
"Prometheus" – LV-233

Outstanding Created Environment in an Animated Feature Motion Picture
"Brave" – The Forest
"ParaNorman" – Main Street
"ParaNorman" – Graveyard"
"Rise of the Guardians" – The North Pole

Outstanding Virtual Cinematography in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture
"The Amazing Spider-Man"
"The Avengers" – Downtown Manhattan
"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey"
"Total Recall: Hover Car Chase"

Outstanding Models in a Feature Motion Picture
"The Avengers" – Helicarrier
"The Dark Knight Rises" – Airplane Heist
"The Impossible" – Orchid Hotel
"Men in Black 3" – Cape Canaveral/Apollo Launch

Outstanding FX Simulation Animation in an Animated Feature Motion Picture
"Brave"
"ParaNorman" – Angry Aggie Ink-Blot Electricity
"ParaNorman" – Practical Volumetrics"
"Rise of the Guardians" – Last Stand

Outstanding FX Simulation Animation in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture
"Battleship"
"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey"
"Life of Pi" – Ocean
"Life of Pi" – Storm of God

Outstanding Compositing in a Feature Motion Picture
"The Avengers" – Hulk Punch
"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey"
"Life of Pi" – Storm of God
"Prometheus" – Engineers & the Orrery

TELEVISION

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Broadcast Program
Game of Thrones: Volar Morghulis
Once Upon A Time: The Stranger
Falling Skies: Worlds Apart Curiosity
Munsters: Mockingbird Lane

Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Broadcast Program
"Hemingway & Gellhorn"
"Boardwalk Empire": Episode 308
"Men Who Built America": Episode 2
"Hell On Wheels": Blood Moon
"Hawaii Five-O": La O Na Makuahine

Outstanding Real-Time Visuals in a Video Game
Call of Duty: Black Ops II
Halo 4
Dirt Showdown
Forza Horizon
Dishonored

Outstanding Created Environment in a Commercial or Broadcast Program
Sinbad
Pyke
Call of Duty: Eclipse – Surprise
5 Gum RPM: Choose Your Energy

Outstanding Virtual Cinematography in a Commercial or Broadcast Program
Toyota: Real Deal
Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn
Call of Duty: Eclipse – Surprise
ZombiU

Outstanding FX and Simulation Animation in a Commercial or Broadcast Program
Nike: Biomorph
Last Resort: Captain
Guinness: Cloud
Nissan Altima: Wouldn't it be Cool

Outstanding Compositing in a Broadcast Program
"Hemingway & Gellhorn"
"Last Resort: Captain"
"White Walker Army"
"Hell On Wheels: Blood Moon"

Outstanding Compositing in a Commercial
Chevy 2012 Silverado
Norfolk Southern: City of Possibilities
Call of Duty: Eclipse – Surprise
Nike: Game On, World

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Special Venue Project
Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem
SeaWorld: Turtle Trek 3D/ 360
Earthquake: Evidence of a Restless Planet
The Ball Unleashed

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Student Project
Voile Noir
Globosome
Rollin' Safari
Natalis