The Program of FMX 2025 is currently in the making and will be published early next year.
PROGRAM CHAIR
FMX is happy to announce as Program Chair a true master in VFX and virtual production: Paul Debevec, Chief Research Officer at Netflix’s Eyeline Studios in Los Angeles.
Paul Debevec has accomplished pioneering achievements in virtual production. He will support the FMX team with ideas and inspiration to address the challenges that are currently changing the dynamics of the creative industries.
Groundbreaking pioneering work in the field of image-based lighting
Paul Debevec received degrees in Computer Engineering and Mathematics from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1992 and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley in 1996.
He is the Chief Research Officer at Netflix’s Eyeline Studios, overseeing R&D for visual effects and virtual production with computer vision, graphics, and machine learning. In 2002, Paul's Light Stage 3 system pioneered the virtual production technique of surrounding actors with color LEDs to display images of virtual environments for lighting-accurate compositing.
Paul’s techniques for photogrammetry, HDR imaging, image-based lighting, and photoreal digital actors have been used to create
key visual effects sequences in "Matrix", "Spider-Man 2", "Benjamin Button", "Avatar", "Gravity", "Oblivion", "Maleficent",
"Furious 7", "Blade Runner: 2049", "Gemini Man", "Free Guy", and numerous video games.
Two Oscars and an Emmy
Paul's work in technology for visual effects and virtual production has been recognized with two Academy Awards
for Scientific and Technical Achievement, the Progress Medal from the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers,
and in 2022, the Charles F. Jenkins Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award.
Paul is a Governor of the Visual Effects Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences,
a Fellow of the Visual Effects Society, and an Adjunct Research Professor at the University of Southern California.
"It is a thrill and an honor to be the Program Chair for FMX 2025! I first experienced the magic of the FMX in the year 2000 and was greatly impressed by how it placed the year's greatest work in animation, visual effects, art, and technology on a collision course to inspire and influence each other. And while FMX has evolved and grown, it keeps the same spirit of the pioneering community which gathers each year for the next edition. As the pace of change accelerates faster than ever across every aspect of cinema, games, and art, FMX will be where this rhythm drives a burgeoning symphony of expression and innovation. I hope you will add your voice to the chorus, and let us know which part you would like to play!"
PAUL DEBEVEC, FMX PROGRAM CHAIR"We are honoured that the Master of Light himself, Dr Paul Debevec, has agreed to be our Program Chair for FMX 2025. He has been instrumental in creating an entire discipline of image capture and image making, with rigorous and wide-ranging applications throughout Visual Effects, Virtual Production and beyond. Paul’s network spans academia and industry at the highest level and we are excited to have his invaluable guidance. On top of that, he’s a really nice guy!"
DR JAN PINKAVA, FMX CONFERENCE CHAIR