Oscar Visual Effects Nominations feature two IMTA alum's films!

The films under consideration for Achievement in Visual Effects by The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences have been announced and two IMTA alumni have films that made the cut! Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and Superman Returns may be battling it out as possible trophy contenders for Best Visual Effects at next year's Oscar ceremony.

This summer's blockbuster hit Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest features two IMTA actors, Americus Abesamis and Neil Panlasigui. Americus was featured as a Native Throne Guard next to Capt. Jack Sparrow (played by Johnny Depp). Americus Abesamis is an IMTA Alumni of 1999 and 2000. Since competing at IMTA, he has been featured in numerous films, TV shows, commercials, music videos, theme parks, promos, print jobs. Neil played the native child who meets Sparrow trying to escape.

Superman Returns stars IMTA alum Brandon Routh in the title role of the mega-hit film. Brandon competed at the 1999 IMTA New York Convention. He impressed several agents, made contacts and relocated to Los Angeles. He signed with Kazarian/Spencer & Associates, who represented him when he was cast as Superman after an exhaustive world-wide search.

Both films will move to the next step in the nominations process, which takes place on January 17th. The Academy will be viewing 15 minute clips from each of the short-listed films, with the top three honored with Oscar nominations on January 23. The Oscars will air live on February 25, 2007.