In the entertainment industry, breaking a record is an irrefutable measure of success. True to form, the world’s best-selling video game recently snatched a title previously held by The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Last week, A Minecraft Movie officially became the highest-grossing video game movie adaptation on opening weekend when it raked in $157 million in box office revenue.
At Vancouver Film School, we have even more reason to celebrate. 12 VFS alumni (and counting!) were credited on this blockbuster smash hit, working in a variety of creative roles to help bring the film to the big screen. We were even able to interview alum Hassam Jafri, a Senior Texture Artist on the film!
12 VFS alumni worked behind the scenes on A Minecraft Movie – one of 2025’s biggest hits.THE VFS ALUMNI BEHIND A MINECRAFT MOVIE
The Vancouver Film School alumni credited on the film are graduates of VFS’s 3D Animation & Visual Effects, Classical Animation, and Foundation Visual Art & Design programs:
- Pete McGowan – Head of Virtual Art Department
- Carlos Oceguera – Senior Animator
- Syed Hassam Hussain Jafri – Senior Texture Artist
- Stephan Skorepa – Senior Texture Artist
- Frank Akrong – Senior Compositor
- Daphne De Jesus – Senior Compositor
- Thomas Thistlethwaite – Animator
- Renette Bariso – Modeler
- Rob Fitzsimmons – Environment Artist
- Brian Zheng – Asset Supervisor
- Kenny Poon – Compositor
- Morgan Emsley – Associate Production Coordinator
MINECRAFT’S LEGACY, FROM HIT GAME TO BLOCKBUSTER FILM
When Minecraft was first released into the world in 2011, no one could have anticipated how successful it would become. A simple premise and easily accessible gameplay made it an instant classic, forever cementing Minecraft as a household name in gaming. Over the past nearly 15 years, it has sold more than 300 million copies, won numerous awards including a BAFTA, and earned multiple esteemed titles including most-played game globally and most-watched game on YouTube.
Flash forward to 2025, where Warner Bros.’ Minecraft video game adaptation has proven a success of equal measure. Starring Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers, and Sebastian Hansen and directed by Jared Hess, the film follows four misfits who, after being pulled through a portal into a familiar cubic world, must find their way home.
HASSAM JAFFRI MINECRAFT INTERVIEW
We were fortunate enough to connect with Hassam Jafri, a VFS 3D Animation & Visual Effects alum, on what it was like working on a blockbuster video game film, his time at Vancouver Film School, and beyond:
How did you land your role on A Minecraft Movie? What was it like working on this blockbuster film?
I had worked with Sony Imageworks before on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, so the timing was perfect. It was one of the best teams I have ever worked with during my career, and working on a game movie was one of the items left on my bucket list, so it was a dream come true!
What was a typical day like for you as a Senior Texture Artist?
I was assigned to paint and help design the look of one the most iconic characters of the game – Ghasts. I painted all variations, including full sets of hanging war buckets. It was a huge, huge challenge to nail the look because of the nature and form language of the show, so keeping it realistic and believable in a super-fast turnaround was not a task for everyone. I also painted the hogs, Woodland Mansion exterior, midport buildings, and loads of other small tasks.
Hassam’s diverse portfolio of work includes a variety of A-list projects, including Captain America: Brave New World.FAQ
1. What is A Minecraft Movie about?
A Minecraft Movie follows a group of unlikely heroes who are pulled into the blocky world of Minecraft and must navigate its dangers to find their way back to reality. The live-action film blends adventure, humor, and fan-favorite elements from the game.
2. How many VFS alumni worked on A Minecraft Movie and which programs are these Vancouver Film School graduates from?
12 VFS alumni contributed to the film in roles spanning animation, visual effects, production coordination, and more. The alumni credited on A Minecraft Movie are graduates of VFS’s 3D Animation & Visual Effects, Classical Animation, and Foundation Visual Art & Design programs.
3. Who is Hassam Jafri and what was his role on the film?
Hassam Jafri is a VFS alum and Senior Texture Artist who worked on designing some of the film’s most iconic creatures and environments, including the Ghasts and Woodland Mansion.
4. How did VFS help these alumni launch their careers?
VFS provides 1-year intensive training programs led by industry professionals, with a strong focus on current industry skills & knowledge, production pipelines, and portfolio development – giving graduates the competitive edge to find work on major studio productions.
5. How can I follow a similar career path?
Explore VFS’s website to learn more about their 15 creative programs and how you can start your journey toward working on blockbuster films like A Minecraft Movie.