Sony Future Filmmaker Awards

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.

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

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

Fiction

This category awards one winner and a shortlist of up to 10. Submissions must be between 5 to 20 minutes in length and be narrative-led to convey an original fictional story or event. Dramatized factual subjects should be entered into this category rather than Non-Fiction.

ENTER
Non-Fiction

This category awards one winner and a shortlist of up to 10. Submissions must be between 5 to 20 minutes in length and be predominantly factual in content. Archive footage, documentary footage, reenactments and animation are eligible, but dramatized factual subjects will not qualify and should be entered into another category.

ENTER
Animation

This category awards one winner and a shortlist of up to 5. Submissions must be between 2 to 20 minutes in length and include at least 75% of animated footage to qualify for this category.

ENTER
Student

The Student category rewards filmmakers studying a film course at a registered institution at a diploma or degree level worldwide. This category awards one winner and a shortlist of up to 5. Institutions that make up the shortlist are selected by continent to ensure a diverse range of global talent. Entries can be of any genre. Submissions must be between 5 to 20 minutes in length.

ENTER
Future Format

This year’s brief calls for films created specifically for vertical viewing (9:16 aspect ratio). The competition awards one winner and up to five commended entries. Entries can be shot on any device and can be of any genre. Submissions must be between 2 to 5 minutes in length

ENTER