Creo has announced the launch of Sony Future Filmmaker Awards, a major new annual awards program for short films. Sponsored by Sony and free to enter, the Awards set out to elevate original voices from around the globe with a fresh perspective on storytelling.

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 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.

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 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.

Filmmaker
The Filmmaker competition comprises three categories — Fiction, Non-Fiction and Environment. The Environment category is run in association with Sony Pictures Television’s “Picture This” initiative, which champions creativity that communicates a positive future for the planet.

● 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

● 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.
● 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.
● The category winner additionally receives $2,500 (USD) and a range of Sony’s Digital Imaging equipment.