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Immotion continues to push boundaries in the world of virtual reality storytelling. Known for creating immersive VR experiences that blend cutting-edge technology with compelling narratives, Immotion has solidified its reputation as a pioneer in this evolving medium.
Immotion wins the Prestigious 2026 Lumiere Award for “Dolphins of the Reef”, earning recognition for Best Use of Virtual Reality. This accolade highlights Immotion’s exceptional ability to harness VR technology to create deeply engaging and visually stunning content.
The Lumiere Awards, presented by the Advanced Imaging Society, are highly respected for honoring creative and technical excellence in cinematic technology. These awards celebrate innovation across diverse categories including film, episodic content, VR experiences, and production technologies. Winning a Lumiere Award places Immotion among the leaders shaping the future of immersive media and cinematic storytelling.
The Lumiere Awards, presented by the Advanced Imaging Society, are a standard for excellence in film technology. Created to honor innovative achievements, these awards celebrate the combination of imagination and technical advancement that pushes the limits of storytelling.
The Lumiere Awards were established over ten years ago with the goal of recognizing advancements that revolutionize visual storytelling. The Advanced Imaging Society created this platform to showcase contributions from both established studios and up-and-coming creators who utilize new imaging technologies. The awards focus not only on artistic merit but also on technological breakthroughs that redefine audience immersion.
The Lumiere Awards encompass a wide range of fields within cinematic technology, including:
The Lumiere Awards serve as a spotlight on emerging technologies shaping the future of media:
This commitment to showcasing diverse aspects of cinematic technology places the Lumiere Awards at the center of ongoing transformation in entertainment media. Immotion’s win for Dolphins of the Reef exemplifies how VR continues to expand storytelling horizons recognized by this prestigious institution.
Immotion’s Dolphins of the Reef VR experience is a remarkable example of how underwater cinematography and immersive storytelling come together to create an engaging virtual reality environment. This VR film takes viewers beneath the ocean’s surface, offering an intimate look into vibrant reef ecosystems where dolphins interact with their surroundings in natural, fluid motion.
Here are the key elements that define the Dolphins of the Reef VR experience:
This combination of breathtaking visuals, advanced technology, and meaningful messaging sets Dolphins of the Reef apart as more than just entertainment. It shows how virtual reality can be used for impactful education while pushing creative boundaries in cinematic technology.
Immotion’s leadership team marked a significant milestone at the 16th Annual Lumiere Awards ceremony held at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Rod Findley, Immotion CEO, and Ken Musen, Vice President of Content, proudly accepted the prestigious 2026 Lumiere Award for Dolphins of the Reef. Their presence underscored Immotion’s growing reputation as a trailblazer in immersive virtual reality storytelling.
The company’s achievements extend beyond this recent accolade. Immotion previously earned recognition for their Gorilla Trek VR experience, which won the 2023 Lumiere Award for Best Use of Virtual Reality. This earlier honor established a strong precedent for quality and innovation in immersive media.
Additional industry accolades include:
These awards highlight Immotion’s consistent ability to blend cutting-edge technology with compelling narratives that resonate with audiences and critics alike.
Rod Findley and Ken Musen continue to drive creative growth, expanding Immotion’s portfolio with projects like Dinosaur: Evolution and Polar Odyssey, showcased at major industry events such as IAAPA Expo 2025. The company’s track record demonstrates a commitment to pushing boundaries in virtual reality content, setting new benchmarks for immersive experiences.
Immotion’s journey reflects not only their technical expertise but also their dedication to storytelling that educates and inspires, solidifying their status as leaders in VR production.
The 2026 Lumiere Awards ceremony highlighted significant advancements in cinematic technology. These breakthroughs are redefining how stories are told and experienced, pushing boundaries in production technology awards.
Flawless AI received recognition for pioneering AI-driven assistive tools. Their technology streamlines post-production processes by automating complex visual effects and enhancing actor performances through sophisticated facial mapping and dialogue replacement. This innovation increases efficiency while maintaining high creative standards, proving indispensable for filmmakers working with tight schedules.
Conductor by CoreWeave earned accolades for its cloud optimization platform tailored to demanding visual effects pipelines. By harnessing scalable cloud computing resources, studios can render high-quality assets faster and more cost-effectively. This tool reduces hardware constraints and enables remote collaboration—critical factors in contemporary production environments.
The adoption of 6P Color, a full color range format, marks a leap forward in visual fidelity. This technology expands the palette available to filmmakers, delivering richer and more vibrant imagery on screen. It plays a key role in capturing subtle tonal variations necessary for immersive storytelling, particularly when paired with high dynamic range film content.
DisneyResearch|Studios introduced an artistically controllable machine learning stereo conversion toolset that transforms 2D footage into compelling 3D experiences. This approach preserves creative intent while adding depth perception seamlessly. It enriches audience engagement by making scenes visually more dynamic without the need for costly reshoots or specialized camera rigs.
These technological achievements, recognized alongside Immotion’s VR win, showcase how innovation is integral to evolving cinematic art forms. Each contributes uniquely to elevating production quality and expanding storytelling possibilities across traditional and immersive media formats.
The 2026 Advanced Imaging Society Awards recognized outstanding achievements across a diverse range of cinematic categories. The ceremony highlighted projects that demonstrate a blend of artistic creativity and cutting-edge technological innovation.
The ceremony also spotlighted episodic content with awards to:
Audio and visual technical achievements received recognition as well:
These awards demonstrate the Advanced Imaging Society’s commitment to celebrating not only creative storytelling but also the technical mastery that elevates cinematic experiences. By acknowledging both narrative excellence and technological breakthroughs, the ceremony fosters an environment where filmmakers are encouraged to innovate across all aspects of production.
Virtual reality (VR) is changing how environmental education and advocacy reach people. With its immersive qualities, VR can transport users into ecosystems that are otherwise inaccessible, creating a deep connection to the fragility and beauty of nature. This level of engagement goes beyond traditional media by making conservation issues real and emotionally impactful.
Companies like Immotion are leading the way in this field, using immersive storytelling to create VR experiences that do more than just entertain—they also educate and inspire action. Their work with conservation-focused VR experiences sets industry standards for combining scientific accuracy with compelling narratives.
Here are some key features that make VR an effective tool for conservation storytelling:
The recent win of Immotion at the prestigious 2026 Lumiere Award for Dolphins of the Reef exemplifies this approach. The project combines breathtaking underwater cinematography with cutting-edge VR technology to immerse viewers in delicate reef ecosystems. The film’s narrative balances scientific education about marine biodiversity with emotional storytelling focused on ocean conservation challenges.
This model encourages other creators to elevate virtual reality beyond entertainment into a platform for meaningful environmental advocacy. As immersive technology evolves, conservation-focused VR experiences will likely become indispensable tools in raising awareness and motivating global stewardship efforts.
Immotion’s win of the prestigious 2026 Lumiere Award for Dolphins of the Reef firmly establishes the company as a leader in immersive media production. This accolade highlights Immotion’s commitment to pushing boundaries in virtual reality storytelling, blending cutting-edge technology with meaningful narratives. The impact of Lumiere Award win Immotion extends beyond recognition—it elevates their credibility and visibility within both creative and technical spheres.
Expect ripple effects on future virtual reality projects as this honor opens doors for new collaborations and partnerships. Industry peers, investors, and creative talents are more likely to engage with Immotion, confident in their ability to deliver innovative VR experiences that resonate emotionally and intellectually. The award affirms their position at the forefront of VR filmmaking, encouraging bold experimentation and sophisticated content development.
The Lumiere Awards continue to play a critical role in driving cinematic technology forward by celebrating achievements like those of Immotion. They inspire creators to explore untapped potentials in immersive media, fostering a culture where innovation meets artistry. This synergy propels the entire industry toward richer, more impactful storytelling that captivates audiences while advancing technological excellence.
Immotion’s win of the prestigious 2026 Lumiere Award for Best Use of Virtual Reality with ‘Dolphins of the Reef’ highlights their pioneering work in immersive VR storytelling and cements their reputation in advanced cinematic technology.
The Lumiere Awards, presented by the Advanced Imaging Society, recognize creative and technical excellence across film, episodic content, VR experiences, and production technology, spotlighting innovations in storytelling and immersive media technologies.
‘Dolphins of the Reef’ combines underwater cinematography with immersive VR technology to create an emotionally engaging experience that educates viewers about reef ecosystems and fosters awareness of ocean conservation efforts.
Immotion’s leadership team, including CEO Rod Findley and VP Content Ken Musen, celebrated previous accolades such as their 2023 Lumiere Award for ‘Gorilla Trek’ and recognition at the Los Angeles Film Awards and Poppy Jasper International Film Festival.
The ceremony recognized breakthroughs like AI-driven assistive filmmaking tools by Flawless AI, cloud optimization by Conductor by CoreWeave, DisneyResearch|Studios ML Stereo Conversion toolset, and full color range formats (6P Color) that enhance cinematic visuals.
Virtual reality is increasingly used to create immersive storytelling experiences that blend entertainment with meaningful conservation messages, with companies like Immotion setting benchmarks for impactful VR content focused on environmental awareness.
