The Sony Future Filmmaker Awards have formally opened entries for his or her 2026 version, inviting rising filmmakers from across the globe to submit their work totally free. Protecting 5 classes and providing winners an immersive business expertise in Los Angeles, this system continues to highlight the following technology of inventive voices.
The Sony Future Filmmaker Awards have fun impartial filmmakers shaping the cinematic panorama of tomorrow. Now in its fourth version (try the previous ones right here), the competitors welcomes entries till December 16, 2025, throughout 5 classes: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Animation, Scholar, and Future Format.
Chosen finalists can be flown to Los Angeles to attend the awards ceremony and take part in a bespoke four-day program at Sony Footage Studios in Culver Metropolis. This program contains workshops with Sony Footage executives, masterclasses, panel discussions, studio excursions, screenings, and Q&A periods.
Winners of the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards 2025, from left: Rossana Montoya, Fiction Winner; Hayder Hoozeer & Franz Böhm, Scholar Winners; José Navarro, Animation Winner; Juliet Klottrup, Non-Fiction Winner. Picture credit score: Creo / Sony
Classes and entry necessities
- Fiction: 5–20 minutes, narrative-led authentic story or occasion.
- Non-Fiction: 5–20 minutes, predominantly factual in content material.
- Animation: 2–20 minutes, minimal 75% animated.
- Scholar: 5–20 minutes, open to college students enrolled in greater schooling movie programs; shortlists are chosen by continent.
- Future Format: 2–5 minutes, designed for vertical (9:16) viewing, with creativity in vertical storytelling emphasised.
Entries might be shot on any system and have to be produced between January 1, 2024, and December 16, 2025. Every filmmaker might submit one entry per class. All non-English dialogue have to be subtitled in English.
Prizes
Winners obtain a mixture of alternatives and assets, together with:
- Flights and lodging in Los Angeles.
- Participation within the on-site business program.
- Sony digicam gear (one per successful movie).
- A $5,000 USD money prize for Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Animation winners.
- A $2,500 USD money prize for the Future Format winner.
- Certificates and trophies, together with world promotion of the movies.
Scholar winners additionally see their establishment awarded Sony digicam gear.
The Sony Future Filmmaker Awards 2026 at the moment are open for submission. Picture credit score: Sony
Cut-off date
The deadline for submissions is 07:00 AM CST, December 16, 2025. Entries should stay out there on-line till July 2026 to be thought of.
The Sony Future Filmmaker Awards proceed to offer a uncommon gateway into the movie business for rising skills, mixing recognition with direct entry to professionals at Sony Footage.
Are you planning to submit your movie to this yr’s competitors? Tell us within the feedback!
