2026 COMPETITION LAUNCH

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – July 16, 2025: The 2026 edition of the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards is open for submissions and free for all to enter on sonyfuturefilmmakerawards.com.

Now in their fourth year, the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards celebrate the filmmakers shaping the cinematic landscape of tomorrow. Established by Creo in partnership with Sony, this annual program for short films provides emerging talent from across the world with the creative momentum to push forward their careers and the opportunity to embed themselves within a global filmmaking community.

The shortlisted filmmakers are flown to Los Angeles to take part in an exclusive industry program, running from June 8-11, 2026 at the Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City and culminating in a gala ceremony on June 11, 2026. Across four days of engaging and interactive sessions and masterclasses, shortlisted filmmakers are given backstage access through carefully curated screenings and workshops. Led by Sony Pictures executives, these sessions explore key facets of the industry; from production, to navigating talent deals, and the studio’s film acquisition process, through to working with publicists, cutting-edge technology demonstrations, animation techniques, and the art of soundtracking a story. The program is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to connect with industry leaders and fellow creators from around the world, becoming part of a dynamic network of international filmmakers. Set apart by this exceptional prize, the Awards help to inspire, equip, and empower the next generation of filmmakers at a pivotal moment in their careers.

Filmmakers are invited to submit their short films in four categories:

● The Fiction category seeks narrative-led entries that convey an original fictional story or event. Submissions must be between 5 and 20 minutes in length. The winner, chosen from a shortlist of 10 filmmakers, will receive Sony Digital Imaging equipment and a $5,000 (USD) cash prize.

● The Non-Fiction category is open to films between 5 and 20 minutes long which are predominantly factual in content. The winner, chosen from a shortlist of 10 filmmakers, will receive Sony Digital Imaging equipment and a $5,000 (USD) cash prize.

● The Animation category is open to 2 to 20-minute long animated films using all available techniques, including but not limited to stop-motion, motion graphics, computer animation, drawn-on-film, rotoscoping, and experimental animation. Selected from a shortlist of five filmmakers, the winner will receive Sony Digital Imaging equipment and a $5,000 (USD) cash prize.

● The Student category rewards filmmakers studying a film course at a registered institution at a diploma or degree level worldwide. Institutions that make up the shortlist are selected by continent to ensure a diverse range of global talent. Submissions must be between 5 and 20 minutes in length and can be of any genre. Selected from a shortlist of five filmmakers, the winner and their institution will each receive Sony Digital Imaging equipment.

The four category winners will be selected by a panel of industry leaders and revealed at the ceremony in Los Angeles on June 11, 2026.

Also returning to this year’s Awards is the Sustainability Prize, set up by Creo and Sony to spotlight a short film that creatively communicates how environment, accessibility, diversity, equality and inclusion can encourage us to act together to ensure a positive future for the planet. The winner receives a $5,000 (USD) cash prize, Sony Digital Imaging equipment and promotion across the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards channels and website.

NEW TO 2026

Future Format competition brief: Vertical
The Future Format competition challenges filmmakers to respond to a technical brief that explores the creative possibilities of bold and innovative storytelling. This year the competition returns with a new brief: entrants are invited to submit shorts created specifically for vertical viewing (9:16 aspect ratio). Submissions must be between 2 and 5 minutes in length, can be of any genre, and shot on any device. The winner will be invited to join the four-day workshop program in Los Angeles in June 2026 and receive a $2,500 (USD) cash prize and Sony Digital Imaging equipment.

The deadline for entries to the 2026 Awards is December 16, 2025 at 04:00 PM (GMT). For more information and to submit to the Awards, please visit sonyfuturefilmmakerawards.com.

NOTES TO EDITORS

For media inquiries, please contact:
Polly Brock, Hugo Ximenes – media@creoarts.com

Established by Creo and sponsored by Sony, the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards are a major annual awards program for short films devoted to supporting and elevating independent filmmakers and creators from across the globe. Set apart by an exceptional prize, the Awards provide successful filmmakers with invaluable opportunities in the form of a trip to Los Angeles and to the historic Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California, where they gain exclusive access to experts and unparalleled insight into the inner workings of the industry. Winners additionally receive cash prizes and a range of Sony Digital Imaging equipment. Free to enter, the Awards comprise four categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Student and Animation, and are judged by a panel of leading figures. By supporting talents in film, video and storytelling, the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards provide a gateway for the development of creative excellence. sonyfuturefilmmakerawards.com

Creo initiates and organizes events and programming across three key strands: photography, film and contemporary art. Since 2007 Creo’s mission has been to develop meaningful opportunities for creatives and to expand the reach of its cultural activities. Its flagship projects include the Sony World Photography Awards, Sony Future Filmmaker Awards, PHOTOFAIRS and Photo London. Working in partnership with Angus Montgomery Arts (AMA), Creo helps deliver the group’s ventures, comprising some of the world’s leading art fairs. Taking its name from the Latin for “I create,” it is in this spirit that Creo sets out to empower and give agency to creative voices. creoarts.com

Sony Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation and is responsible for the Entertainment, Technology & Services (ET&S) business. With the mission to “create the future of entertainment through the power of technology together with creators,” we aim to continue to deliver Kando* to people around the world. For more information, visit: www.sony.net.
*Kando is a Japanese word that roughly translates to the sense of awe and emotion you feel when experiencing something beautiful and amazing for the first time.