It was an IMATS to remember.

Four recent grads of the Makeup Design for Film & Television program at VFS were selected to take part in the Student Competition’s character/prosthetics category at the Vancouver International Makeup Artist Trade Show.

And when it came time to hand out the awards on Sunday, it was an unprecedented clean sweep – VFS alumni took first, second, and third place!

First place – Zoe (Wei-Ying) Cheng
Second place – Elisa Solomon
Third place – Jon Berezan

Competitors had to use prosthetics supplied by IMATS on the day – they only knew the theme (Grimm’s Fairy Tales) in advance, and could provide their own wigs, hairpieces, and costumes. They only had three hours from start to finish.

The judges (who only saw the results and didn’t know who they were voting for) included two Oscar winners in Howard Berger and Tami Lane, and two other incredibly accomplished makeup artists in Charles Porlier and Victoria Down.

“Both our students and alumni spent all weekend dazzling the professional makeup community with their amazing work,” said Head of Makeup Design for Film & Television Stan Edmonds. “It’s always exciting for us to show off what we can really do!”

But what tells the story better than pictures? Check out this slideshow for shots of the competition and to see the graduates’ amazing creations take shape!