Key Takeaways
- 79 Vancouver Film School alumni worked behind the scenes on major 2025 summer blockbuster movies across animation, visual effects, writing, production, and more.
- Films like record-breaker Lilo & Stitch, Final Destination: Bloodlines, and the highly-anticipated Superman featured VFS grads in key creative and technical roles.
- Vancouver Film School continues to be a pipeline to Hollywood, training industry-ready artists through production-focused creative industry programs.
Hollywood is officially in the heat of blockbuster season, and this summer’s proving to be one of the biggest yet! From ballerina assassins to dragons, zombies, and creatures from outer space, this summer’s films have provided non-stop spectacle.
Working behind the scenes to deliver these unforgettable films have been VFS’s talented alumni. To our current tally, 79 talented Vancouver Film School grads have been involved on many of this summer’s biggest blockbusters – from Lilo & Stitch to Superman.
The following report details the 8 films (for a total estimated global box office of $3.73 billion!) where our alumni have made their mark on the big screen this summer:
FINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINES (MAY 16)
It’s been 14 years since the Final Destination franchise graced the big screen, but with a worldwide gross of more than $285 million and an overwhelmingly positive 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s clear this was a film worth waiting for.
From Makeup Effects Coordinators to Second Unit Director, Grips, and even Head of Production at Pixomondo, this hit horror/thriller features 7 alumni from VFS’s 3D Animation & Visual Effects, Game Design, Writing for Film, Television & Games, and Makeup Design for Film & Television programs.
LILO & STITCH (MAY 23)
The most recent in Disney’s lineup of live-action remakes, Lilo & Stitch brought audiences to Hawaii for a faithful reimaging of the 2002 classic. While Chris Sanders reprised Stitch’s voice, newcomers like Zach Galifianakis and Billy Magnussen rounded out the cast for some comic relief.
An astounding 26 alumni worked on the film from our 3D Animation & Visual Effects, Film Production, Classical Animation, Foundation Visual Art & Design, and Digital Design programs in roles including Lead Compositor, Senior Animator, Sound Editor, and Lead Lighting TD.
26 VFS alumni worked on Lilo & Stitch, which dominated the box office with a global box office revenue of over $1 billion.MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING (MAY 23)
The unstoppable Ethan Hunt is at it again – seemingly for the final time. Delivering more of the high-risk stunts and special effects we’ve come to expect, and featuring one of the highest production budgets of all time, The Final Reckoning made efforts to tie the franchise together with flashbacks and meta-commentary.
7 VFS alumni contributed to this blockbuster in roles including Animation Lead, Lead Modeler, Creative Executive, and Previsualisation Artist. They graduated from VFS’s 3D Animation & Visual Effects, Film Production, Classical Animation, and Writing for Film, Television & Games programs.
BALLERINA (JUNE 6)
Set in the universe of John Wick – one of modern cinema’s most beloved film franchises – Ana de Armas conquered her first major lead action role as an assassin set on avenging her father. Ballerina also features the final on-screen performance of the late Lance Reddick.
10 VFS alumni from our 3D Animation & Visual Effects and Film Production programs worked on the film as Compositors, Animation/Lighting Leads, and in other various VFX roles.
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON (JUNE 13)
DreamWorks jumped on the live-action remake bandwagon this year with How to Train Your Dragon. Directed by former Disney animators Sanders & DeBlois (coincidentally the duo behind Lilo & Stitch), the film was well-received by audiences – receiving a 97% Popcornmeter rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
8 VFS alumni from two of VFS’s animation programs – 3D Animation & Visual Effects and Classical Animation – worked on the film in a variety of senior & supervisory animation roles.
JURASSIC WORLD: REBIRTH (JUNE 17)
Set 5 years after its predecessor, Jurassic World Dominion, Rebirth stars Hollywood’s highest-grossing actor Scarlett Johansson and Moonlight’s Mahershala Ali. Marketed as a ‘love letter’ to the OG Jurassic Park, the film blended nostalgia with a fresh, intriguing storyline.
From our 3D Animation & Visual Effects and Film Productions, 9 VFS alumni contributed as Compositors, an Effects Technical Director, and other various VFX roles.
Nearly 80 VFS alumni worked on many of this summer’s hit films, including Final Destination: Bloodlines, 28 Years Later, and Superman.28 YEARS LATER (JUNE 20)
It’s been 23 years (no, not 28!) since Danny Boyle’s cult hit 28 Days Later redefined zombie horror and helped launch the modern ‘infected’ genre. Now, Boyle returns to the big screen with a chilling new story that expands on the franchise, and features an impressive cast of Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes.
1 mighty VFS alum, Lorenzo Solari, worked as a Digital Matte Painter on the film. Lorenzo graduated from our Animation Concept Art program and has built an impressive CV that includes work on Fast X, John Wick: Chapter 4, Fallout, and other blockbuster hits.
SUPERMAN (JULY 11)
What better way to wrap up than with summer’s – and arguably one of 2025’s – most-anticipated films! Firmly grounded in modern society and driven by clear political undertones and intent, James Gunn’s Superman pitted our hero against his arch nemesis, Lex Luthor, while staying true to the franchise’s ideals of hope and optimism.
11 VFS alumni from VFS’s 3D Animation & Visual Effects and Foundation Visual Art & Design programs were credited on the film, working as a Creature Technical Director, Senior Texture Artist, Lighting Technical Director, and various other animation roles.
VFS = YOUR PATH TO HOLLYWOOD
It’s no mystery what connects all 79 of these artists; each and every one of them trained for their industry careers at Vancouver Film School! If you’re an aspiring creative who’s looking to enter the entertainment industry, book an appointment with a VFS Advisor to discover our programs spanning Film, Animation, Games, & Creative Design.
A Canadian film school with strong industry connections, our accelerated, production-focused curriculum trains you in a world-class production centre where you’ll spend one intensive year building an extensive career portfolio that will serve as your calling card to the industry.
Are you ready to be bold and start your next creative era?
FAQ
1. How many VFS alumni worked on blockbuster films in summer of 2025?
Current research reveals that 79 VFS graduates were credited across various production roles in hit summer films, including 28 Years Later, How to Train Your Dragon, and Superman.
2. Which VFS programs did these alumni graduate from ?
These alumni come from 9 of VFS’s programs: 3D Animation & Visual Effects, Film Production, Writing for Film, Television & Games, Classical Animation, Animation Concept Art, Makeup Design for Film & Television, Digital Design, Game Design, and Foundation Visual Art & Design.
3. What creative disciplines can I study at VFS?
VFS offers accelerated, production-focused diploma programs in Film, Animation, Game, and Creative Design. Book an appointment with an Advisor to learn more about how VFS’s 1-year programs offer real-world film industry experience in Canada.
4. What kind of careers can a VFS education lead to?
VFS grads work in Hollywood films, AAA games, major animation studios, and more – often within a year of graduating. Some even start their own companies, like Hootsuite!