The Sony Future Filmmaker Awards is a major new annual awards program for short films devoted to supporting and elevating independent filmmakers and creators from across the globe. All shortlisted entrants will be flown to Los Angeles for a two-day workshop at Sony Pictures. Cash prizes are as much as $5000, plus Sony Cinema equipment will be awarded. Read on about this great (and free) opportunity for filmmakers.
Sony Future Filmmaker Awards
The Sony Future Filmmaker Awards is a major new annual awards program for short films devoted to supporting and elevating independent filmmakers and creators from across the globe. Even though the award program is called Future Filmmaker, there are three competitions, each with several categories. There is one competition for current filmmakers, one for student filmmakers, and one called Future Format. There are monetary and equipment prizes for winners in each category, and all shortlisted entrants will be flown to Los Angeles for a two-day workshop on filmmaking. Cash prizes are as much as $5000, plus Sony Cinema equipment (including the Sony FX9) will be awarded. The two-day workshop will be taught by Sony executives and leading filmmakers. The workshop will cover various topics including pitching, legal, working with talent agencies, cutting-edge technologies, animation, and CGI.
The competitions
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. A Shortlist of up to 10 is selected (maximum of five per category) to ensure representation of 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 must be shot exclusively on a smartphone. Entries must be between 2 to 5 minutes in length and can be shot on any smartphone. A 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.
Prizes and awards
Thirty shortlisted filmmakers will be selected and flown to Los Angeles for the Awards ceremony, taking place on February 22, 2023, in the Cary Grant Theatre at the historic Sony Pictures studio lot in Culver City, California. Winners from six categories – including the Environment and Future Format – will be announced on the night and rewarded with cash prizes and a range of Sony’s Digital Imaging equipment. Winners will be selected by a panel of leading figures chaired by award-winning theatre, television, and film director Justin Chadwick.
L.A filmmaking workshops by Sony Pictures
Following the Awards night, all 30 winners and shortlist will attend two days of workshops, screenings, and panel discussions led by Sony Pictures executives and top experts in their fields. The exceptional two-day program will cover a wide range of topics from pitching to legal, to working with talent agencies and using cutting-edge technologies including animation and CGI. This invaluable opportunity supports filmmakers’ career progression by providing them with exclusive access and unparalleled insight into the inner workings of the industry.
Free to participate
Free to enter, the deadline for all entries is December 13, 2022, at 0700 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. More details here.
Final thoughts
Although this article sounds like a plain press release, it truly presents a solid opportunity for junior filmmakers. Apart from the cash prizes, the main reward here is the workshops at Sony in Culver City L.A, which can open new gateways and establish connections as well. Moreover, it’s totally free to participate. So what’re you waiting for?
Product List
Here’re the products mentioned in the article, and the links to purchase them from authorized dealers.
- Sony FX3 Full-Frame Cinema Camera
- BUY the Y.M.CINEMA 65 – A Gift for Filmmakers
