Ozone is thrilled to announce our official involvement in Pixar’s RenderMan “First Contact” Art Challenge — a global creative competition that pushes the boundaries of storytelling and visual artistry. This year, Ozone’s own Founder and Head of Product, Rich Hurrey, will not only serve as a judge but will also be providing mentorship alongside our world-class rigging and character design team.
From concept to final render, the “First Contact” challenge invites artists to craft visually stunning scenes using industry-leading tools and assets — including those provided by Ozone. With our feature film–quality character rigging and deformation technology, we can’t wait to see how creators bring their extraterrestrial visions to life.
Why We’re Excited
For us, this is more than just a competition — it’s a chance to inspire and collaborate with artists worldwide, sharing expertise, pushing technical boundaries, and celebrating innovation in character-driven storytelling. Rich will join the panel at Pixar to help evaluate entries, ensuring creativity, technical execution, and emotional storytelling shine through every submission.
How to Join the Challenge
Whether you’re an experienced artist or new to the world of digital characters, this is your opportunity to work with assets from Pixar, Ozone, and other industry leaders — and get feedback from top professionals in the field.
👉 The challenge is open now through November 10, 2025. Winners will be announced on November 17, 2025.