Francois Chardavoine

Chief Technology Officer, Lucasfilm & ILM

As Chief Technology Officer, Francois leads all aspects of global studio and on-set technology for Lucasfilm and Industrial Light & Magic, setting strategic direction and driving technological innovation for the company.

With a degree in computer science engineering, Francois began his career working on industry-driven research for real-time collaboration through immersive displays and virtual reality. He later co-founded a company specializing in R&D consulting for emerging visual effects studios, before joining Sony Pictures Imageworks where he spent over a decade developing production technology that pushed the boundaries of visual storytelling.

Francois joined Lucasfilm and ILM in 2016, fulfilling a lifelong dream, and now has over 20 years of experience in VFX and animation. Throughout his career, he has championed advancements in visual effects that empower artists, impacting both the creative and technological sides of film production.

Francois is an active member of the VFX Branch of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences and serves on the Visual Effects Society Technology Committee.