Sony Future Filmmaker Awards

The 2026 competition is now closed.
 

The Sony Future Filmmaker Awards celebrate the filmmakers shaping the cinematic landscape of tomorrow. Free to enter and aimed at independent filmmakers worldwide, the program consists of five categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Animation, Student, and Future Format.
 

The shortlisted filmmakers from the Fiction, Non-Fiction, Animation, Student categories and the Future Format category winner are flown to Los Angeles for an industry-immersive program. 
 

  • Fiction and Non-Fiction categories award a winner and a shortlist of up to 10.
  • Animation and Student categories award a winner and a shortlist of up to 5.
  • Future Format category awards a winner and up to 4 commended entries.
     

For more information on category descriptions and this year's brief for Future Format, please refer to the entry boxes at the bottom of this page.

Prizes
Category Winners Shortlist Commended
Flights & Accommodation x x
Ceremony x x
On-site workshop program x x
Camera plus lens x
Certificate x x x
Trophy x
Cash prizes x
Online promotion x x x

Check our Rules for full prize information.

If you’re shortlisted or commended:

​You will need to submit a high-resolution file for screening and distribution purposes with the following specifications:

  • A high-resolution version with a minimum resolution of 1080 pixels ProRes HQ MOV and a minimum of 24 frames per second
  • Your audio mix and stems as separate files
  • Clean versions of your film and separate SRT files containing English subtitles
  • Separated graphics
  • A 30 to 60-second trailer of your film
  • If your film is shortlisted or commended, you agree clips from your films will be used for PR and marketing purposes
  • You’ll also be asked to submit 3 to 5 high-res stills, a film poster, your portrait (all images will need to be 300ppi at 3508 pixels on the longest side). Additionally you’ll need to provide a synopsis, a biography plus a list of cast and crew

Entry requirements

Fiction / Non-Fiction / Animation / Student

  • Videos can be shot on any kind of device or camera
  • The length of your video must be the same as stated in the category description
  • One submission per person per category
  • Please make sure your submission is in English (or includes English subtitles)
  • Audio is delivered as mono/stereo and not 5.1 surround sound
  • You must own full copyright of your entry
  • Entries can be produced from January 1 2024 to December 16 2025
  • Please refer to category descriptions for specific entry requirements

Future Format

  • Films must be designed for vertical viewing (9:16 aspect ratio)

  • Your video must be between 2 to 5 minutes, including credits

  • Entries can be shot on any device – creativity in vertical storytelling is the focus

  • One submission per person

  • Please make sure your submission is in English (or includes English subtitles)

  • Audio is delivered as mono/stereo and not 5.1 surround sound

  • You must own full copyright of your entry

  • Entries can be produced from January 1 2024 to December 16 2025

Future Format submissions must not include:

  • Repurposed horizontal content without clear vertical intent

  • Social-media-style videos (e.g., TikTok edits, vlogs, trends)

  • Commercials, trailers, or branded content

Before you enter, please make sure you have:

  • A description of your submission (add this to the ‘series description’ field)

  • A link to your short film on an online screener, for example a Vimeo or YouTube URL, that is 1080 pixels ProRes HQ MOV. The link must remain active until July 31 2026 or your submission risks disqualification

  • Submissions entered as files / downloads will be disqualified

  • A JPEG that illustrates your project

  • The image used needs to be:

    • JPEG format
    • Quality 10 or above
    • Between 1 to 5MB each
    • Set to sRGB color mode