Depending on your perspective, there are many ‘winners’ on Oscar night. From the nominated/winning talent vying for a gold trophy to the crews that worked tirelessly behind the scenes and even the audiences who uplift these remarkable films, we ALL reap the rewards of cinema’s most extravagant annual celebration.
This is especially true for Vancouver Film School’s alumni. At the 97th Academy Awards, 92 alumni were credited on Oscar-recognized films! Of this total, 52 were for films that were nominated, while 40 were for films that picked up at least one award. We hope these talented artists are as proud of their contributions as we are!
Vancouver Film School alumni were credited on many Oscar-winning films in 2025, including Dune: Part 2, Wicked, and The Brutalist. VFS ALUMNI AT THE 2025 OSCARS
The contributions made by Vancouver Film School graduates at the 2025 Academy Awards were out of this world (yes, that’s an Alien: Romulus reference). Here’s a breakdown of where our alumni made an impact:
- 30 VFS alumni were credited on Dune: Part Two which won Best Visual Effects and Best Sound.
- 1 mighty alum – Bryan Jones – worked as a Visual Effects Supervisor on The Substance, which unsurprisingly won Best Makeup & Hairstyling. Bryan also personally won a European Film Award, Indiana Film Journalists Award, and a Utah Film Critics Association Award for his work and was additionally nominated for a Critics Choice Award.
- Alien: Romulus, which was nominated for Best Visual Effects, featured the work of 8 talented VFS alumni.
- Other recognized films that featured the work of our graduates include Gladiator II, Inside Out 2, Oscar-winners The Brutalist & Wicked, and more.
These 92 alumni come from nearly ALL of VFS’s creative industry programs, including, Film Production, 3D Animation & Visual Effects, and Makeup Design for Film & Television.
A LOOK BACK AT THE 2025 OSARS
The 2025 Oscars aired this past Sunday, March 2, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Conan O’Brien took to the stage for his biggest role to-date: Host (how was this his first time!?) and in another first, there were NO live performances of the tracks nominated for Best Original Song! Instead, the ceremony focused on the songwriters behind the music. Additionally, new eligibility rules came into effect this year for the Best Picture category, requiring that films have a theatrical run lasting at least one week and meet enhanced representation and inclusion standards.
As anticipated, it was an evening to remember. While Adrian Brody picked up his second Oscar for The Brutalist, Zoe Saldaña and Kieran Culkin both won their first for Emilia Pérez and A Real Pain, respectively. And, in what was perhaps an unexpected turn, Anora took us by surprise as they scooped up award after award, including Best Picture, Best Directing, and Best Lead Actress (Demi Moore’s snub was very reminiscent of Bette Davis’ infamous snub for What Ever Happened to Baby Jane!). Director Sean Baker also set a new record, winning four individual Oscars in a single evening.
But arguably the biggest highlight of the night was the star-studded Wicked medley, with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo delivering breathtaking, jaw-dropping performances. The number was so powerful that it received a standing ovation.
Watch a summary of the big winners at the 97th Academy Awards:
A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR VFS’S ALUMNI
The only thing that shines brighter than an Oscar is the future of these 92 talented alumni. We’re so proud of this VFS alumni success and can’t wait to see what’s coming next for each and every one of you!
If you’re feeling inspired and looking to be a fully trained artist who’s ready for a film industry career and to work on Oscar-worthy films, visit www.vfs.edu to get started and apply. Our accelerated, production-focused programs span all corners of the creative industries, offering limitless potential to aspiring creatives in their career journeys.
And, while you’re at it, take a look at what else our alumni have been up to, including our recent Digital Design students’ work for Invictus Games and Film Production alumni Nicole Ratcliffe’s work as an Editor on Netflix’s Virgin River.
FAQ
1. How many Vancouver Film School alumni worked on 2025 Oscar films?
At the 97th Academy Awards, 92 VFS alumni were credited on Oscar-recognized films – 52 on nominated films and 40 on films that won at least one award.
2. What was the impact of Vancouver Film School alumni at the 97th Academy Awards?
VFS alumni contributed to several films:
- Alien: Romulus (10 alumni)
- Better Man (6 alumni)
- Dune: Part Two (30 alumni)
- Gladiator II (4 alumni)
- Inside Out 2 (5 alumni)
- Nickel Boys (1 alum)
- The Apprentice (2 alumni)
- The Brutalist (1 alumni)
- The Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (17 alumni)
- The Six Triple Eight (3 alumni)
- The Substance (1 alum)
- The Wild Robot (3 alumni)
- Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (1 alum)
- Wicked (8 alumni)
3. Where can I learn more about Vancouver Film School’s programs and alumni success stories?
You can explore detailed information on Vancouver Film School’s programs & creative industry training by visiting at www.vfs.edu and learn more about other VFS alumni success on THE BLOG at www.vfs.edu/the-blog.