Oscars: The January Bake-Off is the Next Step in the Visual Effects Race

variety.com:

Carolyn Giardina The visual effects Oscar race was narrowed down to 10 shortlisted movies in mid-December. And next, branch members will be invited to attend or view online its “bake-off” – a sort of show-and-tell scheduled for Jan.

11, during which contenders will present clips and discuss their work before the branch votes on which five films will earn VFX nominations.

Sometimes the bake-offs serve to confirm what had already attracted branch members. For instance, two years ago, “Avatar: The Way of Water” went into the bake-off as the clear favorite and to no one’s surprise it was nominated for and went on to win the category Oscar.

Last year was an example of how this showcase could change the race. As December of 2023 began, “The Creator” was the presumed frontrunner, but the team behind “Godzilla Minus One” — a movie that few had seen before it came out during that month — charmed branch voters with their stories of how they innovated to make their VFX-driven movie with an overall budget of just $15 million.