FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | IMAGE ENGINE | FEBRUARY 2, 2010  |  The Oscars

Image Engine, the lead VFX studio to work on District 9, celebrates the announcement today from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences that District 9 is one of the three nominees for Achievement in Visual Effects at the 82nd Academy Awards®.

In a tough race against this year’s VFX-laden features, District 9 fought off competition from 2012, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Terminator: Salvation & Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen to stand against Avatar & Star Trek at the awards ceremony on March 7th.

Company CEO, Greg Holmes, commented today: “This is a great opportunity to thank Neill Blomkamp for his confidence in choosing a Vancouver company, and Image Engine in particular, to take on the most challenging aspects of his vision. Neill’s faith along with the support that he received from Peter Jackson, Wingnut Films and Sony Pictures, allowed Image Engine’s team to rise to the occasion. It’s great that this nomination gives everybody in the team at Image Engine a feeling of pride and satisfaction. Everybody’s mother will be proud.”

The selection was made after the shortlisted candidates showcased their work at the annual VFX ‘bakeoff’ at the academy on January 21st.

The 82nd Academy Awards nominations were announced today, Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 5 a.m. PST. The ceremony takes place on March 7th 2010.