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Jedi Academy 2026 - ILM London

Apply Now Apply Later Job ID 10148009 Location London, United Kingdom Business Industrial Light & Magic Date posted Apr. 08, 2026

Job Summary:

Launch your VFX career at ILM! We're seeking innovative entry-level artists and technicians eager to learn and collaborate on world-class material. Bring your creative talent and passion, and we'll provide the environment to help you thrive.
 

Position Summary
 

The London Jedi Academy offers a six-month paid placement to all eligible padawan. Jedi who successfully complete the program may be offered a Junior position within the studio. 

The Jedi Academy provides the opportunity for artists and technicians to learn from highly skilled talent in a variety of creative and technical disciplines. Jedi will be carefully placed into a discipline and will provide entry-level support to that team. The successful applicants will have the opportunity to gain experience in a live production environment through training, mentorship, and real shot-work assignments in a fast-paced and highly collaborative studio.
 

Primary Responsibilities

  • Assist Senior Artists, Supervisors, and Production teams by managing entry-targeted tasks and workflows.

  • Assist with data migration, ingesting assets, renaming and publishing.

  • Artist - Delivering simple assets/shot work to a good standard and on schedule.

  • Technology - work closely with production and software engineers to enable the success and efficiency of the production pipeline.

What are we looking for

  • Artist - A portfolio or reel showcasing artistic ability and potential in VFX.

  • Technology - A resume outlining your technical knowledge and language skills

  • Demonstrated interest and skills in a specific VFX discipline listed below

  • A genuine enthusiasm for the art and craft of visual effects.

  • Ability to work effectively within a team and communicate clearly.

  • Open to receiving mentorship and developing skills.

  • Understanding of VFX software and principles.

  • Logical thinking and the ability to break down complex tasks.

  • A growth mindset with a proactive interest in exploring emerging technologies.

2026 disciplines accepting applications

  • Animation 

  • Compositing 

  • Creature 

  • Crowd

  • Faceswap

  • FX 

  • Groom 

  • Layout 

  • Lighting 

  • Look Dev 

  • Modeling 

  • Mocap

  • Motion Editing 

  • Paint & Roto

  • Pipeline / Technical Assistants

  • PreVis

  • Realtime

  • Texture
     

London Jedi Academy Eligibility

  • Open to recent graduates (BA, BSc, MA, VFX short courses) 

  • OR those with up to 12 months of junior VFX/Animation industry experience.

  • Applications must be clearly tailored to a specific VFX discipline

  • Must have the right to work in the UK from September 2026 - March 2027 (ILM cannot provide relocation or sponsorship at this level).

  • Full-time employment availability from September 2026

Application Requirements

  • Submit a CV and cover letter (single file PDF preferred).

  • Include a reel or portfolio showcasing your work (artist only position).

  • In your cover letter, explain your passion for VFX and your chosen specialisation. Why do you want to join ILM and become a Jedi?

  • Please note, you can not edit your application material once submitted
     

Application Process

  • Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an in-person interview day at the ILM London studio in late May 2026. 

  • While we review you for your preferred discipline, our team may identify a fit in an alternative department. Should this opportunity arise, we will discuss the specific role with you in detail.

  • The six-month program begins in early Autumn 2026.

  • Please note that start dates for Technology positions may be adjusted to an earlier schedule depending on department needs.

  • Application Deadline: Monday, May 4th, 11.59 PM BST.
     

May the Force be with you!

This role is Hybrid, which means the employee will be required to work a minimum of 2 days on-site per week at a Company designated location, and occasionally from home.

JoinILM

About Industrial Light & Magic:

Founded in 1975 by George Lucas, ILM is the leading effects facility in the world, serving the motion picture, commercial production, and attraction industries. ILM has created visual effects for over 325 feature films and has played a key role in seven of the top 10 worldwide box-office hits of all time and has contributed to 25 of the top 50. ILM has set the standard for visual effects, creating some of the most stunning images in the history of film. At the forefront of the digital revolution, the company continues to break new ground in visual effects, VR, AR, and Immersive Cinema.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with ILM (UK) Ltd., which is part of a business we call Industrial Light & Magic.

ILM (UK) Ltd. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, colour, religion or belief, sex, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, disability or pregnancy or maternity. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.

Apply Now Apply Later

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