Oscars 2025: Namit Malhotra’s DNEG Wins 7th Oscar For India As Dune: Part Two Triumphs In VFX

Last night in Los Angeles, the 97th Academy Awards® celebrated the brilliance of DNEG, a top-tier visual effects (VFX), animation, and creative technologies company. The company was awarded the Visual Effects Oscar® for its exceptional work on Dune: Part Two, marking a significant achievement in the industry. This latest victory is a testament to DNEG’s outstanding contributions to film, TV, and immersive content creation, highlighting its pivotal role in crafting visually stunning and technologically advanced narratives.

The accolade was received by DNEG VFX Supervisors Stephen James and Rhys Salcombe, alongside Production VFX Supervisor Paul Lambert and Special Effects Supervisor Gerd Nefzer. Their collaborative efforts have once again positioned DNEG at the forefront of the VFX domain, underlining its creative and technical prowess. This year's win adds to DNEG's impressive track record, bringing its total to eight Oscars® since 2011 for its unparalleled contributions to visual effects in cinema.

DNEG's success extends beyond this year's Oscars®, as evidenced by its recent triumph at the 2025 EE BAFTA Film Awards, where Dune: Part Two was awarded for Special Visual Effects. Furthermore, the company's work on the same film garnered four accolades at the 23rd Annual Visual Effects Society Awards, alongside recognition from the Critics Choice Award for Best Visual Effects, the Hollywood Creative Alliance Astra Awards, and the Saturn Awards. Such widespread acclaim throughout the 2025 awards season underscores DNEG's status as the preferred partner for filmmakers seeking cutting-edge visual effects and animation services.

Celebrating a Milestone Achievement

Namit Malhotra, DNEG Group Founder and CEO, expressed immense pride in the team’s latest Oscar® win, viewing it as a monumental milestone. Malhotra praised the collective effort and artistic vision that led to this accolade, thanking Denis Villeneuve, Paul Lambert, Greig Fraser, and the teams at Legendary and Warner Bros. for their collaboration. He also extended his gratitude to the thousands of DNEG artists, technicians, and support staff worldwide, whose dedication and talent were instrumental in achieving this honor.

Rhys Salcombe and Stephen James, VFX Supervisors for Dune: Part Two, shared their gratitude and excitement over the win. Salcombe highlighted the passion and effort that the global team invested in the project, acknowledging the strong competition they faced. James reflected on the collective achievement, stressing how the team's ability to push boundaries and connect with audiences led to their work being celebrated by the Academy.

DNEG: A Global Leader in Visual Effects

DNEG, with over 25 years of experience and a global presence, has set the industry standard for visual effects, animation, and creative technologies. Its contributions have not only earned it eight Academy Awards® for 'Best Visual Effects’ but also numerous BAFTA, Primetime EMMY®, and Visual Effects Society Awards. With offices and studios across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, DNEG continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in visual storytelling.

Looking ahead, DNEG has an exciting slate of projects, including Mickey 17 (Mar 2025), Eden (Apr 2025), Animal Friends (Oct 2025), Mortal Kombat 2 (Oct 2025), and Mercy (Jan 2026), among others. This diverse lineup showcases the company's versatility and commitment to delivering exceptional visual experiences across various genres and platforms.

In sum, DNEG's Oscar® win for Dune: Part Two not only celebrates the company's current achievements but also anticipates its future contributions to the world of visual effects and animation. As a leader in its field, DNEG continues to inspire and innovate, shaping the way stories are told on the big screen and beyond.