Exciting news from the world of film: the judges of the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards 2026 have just been announced! This esteemed panel consists of leading voices in the industry, the creative minds behind acclaimed films such as Easy A (2010), The Wild Robot (2024), Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013) and Challengers (2024), among many others.
The jury will lend their expertise to select the best short films submitted across the five categories of the 2026 Sony Future Filmmaker Awards: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Animation, Student and Future Format.
Justin Chadwick, award-winning theater, television and film director and Chair of the Jury said:
“The shortlist last year brought together 30 exceptional filmmakers whose distinctive voices and compelling narratives earned them a place at the beating heart of Los Angeles’ creative community, giving them unprecedented access to how cinema is evolving in real time. We have a remarkable jury line-up this year, and I speak for us all when I say that we’re searching for films that challenge conventions, spark genuine emotion, and transform how audiences perceive the world around them. As we head into the 2026 edition, we’re eager to discover that kernel of originality and vision that elevates good filmmaking into something extraordinary. ”
The deadline is fast approaching - make sure to enter your short film before 16 December at 7AM CT.
The 2026 Judges
Justin Chadwick is an award-winning British theater, television and film director. He is best known for critically acclaimed films including the Academy Award®, BAFTA and Golden Globe-nominated Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013), the AFI and IFTA nominated The Other Boleyn Girl (2008); Tulip Fever (2017) and The First Grader (2010).
Will Gluck is a writer, director, and producer known for Easy A (2010), Friends with Benefits (2011), Annie (2014), Peter Rabbit (2018), Peter Rabbit 2 (2021) and a number of TV shows including ENCORE!, Chicago Party Aunt, Sneakerheads, Woke, The Michael J. Fox Show and more. Most recently, Will directed the smash-hit romcom Anyone But You (2023) for Sony starring Sydney Sweeney and Glenn Powell.
Rachel O'Connor is the President of Film and Television at Pascal Pictures, a production company based at Amazon Studios. O'Connor is a Producer on the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and starring Tom Holland, and Project Hail Mary, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and starring Ryan Gosling. Most recently, she was a Producer on Luca Guadagnino's Challengers, an Executive Producer on Spider-Man: No Way Home, Spider-Man: Far From Home, and a Co-Producer on Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Adam Rosette is a co-director at Sony Pictures Animation, currently working alongside director Tyree Dillihay on the upcoming original animated sports comedy GOAT from producer Stephen Curry's Unanimous Media. In 2023, Rosette joined Sony Pictures Animation as the head of story on GOAT, before being promoted to co-director on the project.
Learn more about the acclaimed jury panel and their impressive backgrounds.