Sony Future Filmmaker Awards

Sony Future Filmmaker Awards

The Sony Future Filmmaker Awards were announced last week. Organized by Creo and sponsored by Sony. Shortlisted filmmakers will be flown to California for two days of workshops, screenings, and panel discussions led by Sony Pictures executives and top experts in their fields.

Sony Future Filmmaker Awards
Sony Future Filmmaker Awards

The exceptional two-day program will cover various topics, from pitching to legal to working with talent agencies and using cutting-edge technologies, including animation and CGI.

The Sony Future Filmmaker Awards includes the following competitions and categories:

Filmmaker

The Filmmaker competition elevates original voices that bring a fresh perspective to storytelling.

  • Three categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction and Environment.
  • Entries must be between 5 to 20 minutes in length and can be shot on any device.
  • Shortlist of up to 15 filmmakers (maximum five per category).
  • Winners and shortlist all receive a trip to Los Angeles to take part in the Awards ceremony and two-day workshop program.
  • The three category winners additionally receive $5,000 (USD) and ​ an FX9 Cinema Line Camera (plus lens).

Student Filmmaker 

The Student Filmmaker competition rewards the talent soon set to shape the industry.

  • Two categories: Fiction and Non-Fiction.
  • Entrants must be studying a film course at a registered institution at a diploma or degree level worldwide.
  • Entries must be between 5 to 20 minutes in length and can be shot on any device.
  • Shortlist of up to 10 is selected (maximum five per category) to ensure representation for the different continents and a diverse range of global talent.
  • Winners and shortlist all receive a trip to Los Angeles to take part in the Awards ceremony and two-day workshop program.
  • The two category winners and their institutions additionally receive a range of Sony’s Digital Imaging equipment.

Future Format

The Future Format competition challenges filmmakers to respond to a new technical brief each year.
​​
​For 2023, submissions to be shot exclusively on a smartphone.

  • Entries must be between 2 to 5 minutes in length and can be shot on any smartphone.
  • Shortlist of up to five is selected.
  • Winner and shortlist all receive a trip to Los Angeles to take part in the Awards ceremony and two-day workshop program.
  • The category winner additionally receives $2,500 (USD) and a range of Sony’s Digital Imaging equipment.

The deadline for all entries is December 13, 2022, at 07:00 AM (CT). The two-day workshop program will take place at the Sony Pictures studio lot in Culver City, California on February 23rd and 24th, 2023. The jury panel for the inaugural edition will be announced in September 2022.

My daily shooter is Sony A1 with a vertical grip and various Sony lenses attached like the FE 20mm F1.8. Find more gear recommendations in our shop. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.