In a landmark move, the Academy Color Encoding System (ACES)—the bedrock color management standard for film and television—has officially transitioned to the Academy Software Foundation (ASWF) as an incubated open-source project. Developed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences over the past decade, ACES supports color fidelity from on-set capture through post-production and archiving, used in titles such as Captain America: Brave New World, The Wild Robot, and Wicked
This transition, effective August 6, 2025, positions ACES within a more collaborative, open governance framework—standardizing its evolution and enabling alignment with other critical open-source tools like OpenColorIO, OpenEXR, and MaterialX
Key industry figures voiced their support: Annie Chang (VP of Creative Technologies at NBCUniversal and ACES Project Co-chair) called it “a foundational part of modern motion picture workflows,” made even stronger through ASWF’s open platform. Meanwhile, Rob Bredow (SVP of Creative Innovation at Lucasfilm and ASWF Chair) praised it as fulfilling the academy’s goal for accessible, collaborative tools.
David Morin, ASWF’s Executive Director, emphasized the shift’s potential to increase developer participation and project sustainability
Going forward, ACES will be steered by a Technical Steering Committee composed of legacy leadership and new contributors, ensuring continuity while embracing broader community involvement.
This announcement was a highlight of ASWF’s Open Source Days 2025, featuring key sessions on ACES’s integration into modern workflows and collaborative development opportunities.
Why It Matters for AVGC & XR Creatives
| Strategic Benefit | Impact |
|---|---|
| Governance & Longevity | ASWF’s open model ensures ACES remains robust and community-driven long-term. |
| Enhanced Toolchain Synergy | ACES can now collaborate more closely with other key open-source assets like OpenColorIO and MaterialX. |
| Creative Consistency | Standardized color workflows maintain artistic vision across diverse platforms and formats. |
| Inclusive Innovation | With broader access and open contribution, smaller studios and independent creators can actively shape ACES’s future. |
