The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored 15 scientific and technical achievements at its annual Scientific and Technical Awards ceremony on April 28, 2026, at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles — among them one that is of particular pride for our research group.
Andrea Weidlich, alumna and former member of our research group at the Institute of Visual Computing & Human-Centered Technology at TU Wien, received a Technical Achievement Award for her research on layered materials and for the implementation of layering operators and BSDFs (Bidirectional Scattering Distribution Functions) in Wētā FX's Manuka renderer.
Groundbreaking Research for the Film Industry
As the Academy noted in its official citation, Weidlich's research and the methods she developed have significantly influenced the entire visual effects field, enabling Wētā FX to set new standards in photorealism. The layered material system in the Manuka renderer has been used in all Wētā productions since 2014 (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes), including the Avengers: Endgame, Avatar, and Superman films.
Andrea Weidlich studied and completed her PhD at TU Wien, where she began her scientific career in our research group. Her dissertation focused on the computer simulation of pseudochromatic colour effects in gemstones. After positions in the automotive industry and at Weta Digital/Wētā FX, she now works as Principal Researcher at NVIDIA.
A Role Model for Future Generations
On the occasion of the award, Weidlich emphasized that her work has always been aimed at giving artists the tools to express themselves freely — without having to think about the underlying technology. She also expressed her hope that the award would inspire women and girls to pursue computer science and computer graphics: "I hope it shows women and girls that [gender] is really not an issue, but they can totally do it."
We warmly congratulate Andrea Weidlich on this extraordinary recognition and are proud to count her as an alumna of our research group!
Further information on this year's Scientific and Technical Awards: https://press.oscars.org/news/15-scientific-and-technical-achievements-be-honored-academy-awardsr
