Ara Khanikian

Ara Khanikian is a visual effects supervisor at Rodeo FX. His film credits include Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014), The Aeronauts (2019), and Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021). Much of his career has been associated with Rodeo FX in Montreal, where he advanced through roles in compositing and VFX supervision.

Over approximately ten years, he transitioned from compositing responsibilities to broader supervisory duties, collaborating with multiple studios, including Buzz Image and Hybride. As of 2023, he had accumulated around 15 years at Rodeo FX, reflecting a long-term commitment and leadership within the company. Khanikian took on the role of a VFX Supervisor for Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022).

In this capacity, he played a pivotal part in realising Middle-earth’s visuals—ranging from lush jungles to fantastical environments and creatures—in seasons 1 and 2 of the series. At the Visual Effects Society Awards, Khanikian was a winner in 2015 for Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal/Live Action Feature Motion Picture for Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014).

He was also nominated for a VES Award in 2020 for Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature for The Aeronauts (2019), and again in 2025 for Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022), specifically for Season 2, Episode 4 “Eldest” (2024). In terms of Primetime Emmy recognition, Khanikian has earned two nominations for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022) in the category Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Season or a Movie—first in 2023, and again in 2025.

From the Hollywood Professional Association Awards in the United States, he received a nomination in 2015 for Outstanding Visual Effects – Feature Film for Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014), and another nomination in 2020 for Outstanding Visual Effects – Theatrical Feature for The Aeronauts (2019). Lastly, he was nominated for a Gold Derby Film Award in 2015 under the Visual Effects category for Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014).