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The fourth edition of the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards received submissions from more than 8,400 filmmakers representing 162 countries and territories around the world.

The 2026 shortlist spans continents and perspectives across the five categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Animation, Student and Future Format. All the shortlisted filmmakers and winner of Future Format are invited to a four-day program and flown to Los Angeles to participate in interactive sessions and masterclasses led by Sony Pictures executives.

The winners of the Fiction, Non-Fiction, Animation and Student categories will be announced on June 11, during a glamorous Awards ceremony at the historic Sony Pictures Studios.

Today, we have also revealed the winner and four commended entries of Future Format, a category that challenges filmmakers to respond to a technical brief exploring the creative possibilities of bold and innovative storytelling. This year, entrants were invited to submit shorts created specifically for vertical viewing (9:16 aspect ratio). Congratulations to Innocent Yama Lamido (Nigeria) for Creating Without Permission. As part of his prize, Lamido receives Sony Digital Imaging equipment and is invited to join the program at Sony Pictures Studios in June.