The deadline for all entries is December 13, 2022, at 7:00 AM CST.
World Photography Organisation Creo has announced the inaugural edition of Sony Future Filmmaker Awards, a new annual awards programme for short films sponsored by Sony.
The awards aims to elevate original voices from around the globe with a fresh perspective on storytelling.
Thirty shortlisted filmmakers will be selected and flown to Los Angeles for the awards ceremony, taking place on February 22, 2023, in the Cary Grant Theatre at the Sony Pictures studio lot in Culver City, California. Winners from six categories – including the Environment and Future Format – will be announced on the night and rewarded with cash prizes and a range of Sony’s Digital Imaging equipment. Winners will be selected by a panel of leading figures chaired by award-winning theatre, television and film director Justin Chadwick.
Following the presentation of the awards, all 30 winners and shortlist members will participate in two days of workshops, screenings, and panel discussions conducted by Sony Pictures executives and leading experts in their disciplines.
The two-day programme will cover a variety of themes, including pitching, legal issues, working with talent agencies, and leveraging cutting-edge technology such as animation and CGI. This programme helps filmmakers advance their careers by giving them unprecedented access and unparalleled insight into the inner workings of the business.
Speaking about the awards, Justin Chadwick said: “We are in a moment of great change in the film industry: where studios are looking for original new voices that can cut through the noise and find new ways of communicating with audiences. With the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards, we are looking for the next generation of storytellers whose work can engage, inform, entertain and excite. If you have something to say and you want your voice to be heard, we want to hear it.”
Kenji Tanaka, Senior Vice President of Sony Corporation, added: “Sony’s Purpose is to ‘Fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology’. Working alongside our collaborators Creo to launch the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards, we are truly excited about what this new initiative offers to filmmakers, as it furthers our commitment to content creators and the stories they tell. From access to our world-class facilities and leading experts to the most advanced and innovative technology, we aim to break down all barriers to creativity and provide creators with the tools and the opportunities they need to propel them to the next level.”
Scott Gray, Founder and CEO of Creo, stated: “We are thrilled to launch the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards, with the aim of elevating and championing filmmakers from across the globe. The prize presents a unique opportunity to filmmakers and an exceptional boost to their professional development. This new initiative further builds on Creo’s strong track record of setting-up programmes to support and advance the careers of creatives and we are grateful to Sony for their sponsorship and to Justin Chadwick for his expert guidance as Jury Chair.”
The Sony Future Filmmaker Awards include the following competitions and categories: Filmmaker, Student Filmmaker and Future Format.
The Filmmaker competition elevates original voices that bring a fresh perspective to storytelling. The three winners receive $5,000, an FX9 Cinema Line Camera (plus lens), and are flown, along with the shortlist, to Los Angeles for a two-day workshop programme and a black-tie awards ceremony.
The Student Filmmaker competition rewards the talent soon to shape the industry. The two winners and their institutions receive a range of Sony camera equipment for filmmakers.
The Future Format competition challenges filmmakers to respond to a technical brief. The winner receives $2,500 and a range of Sony camera equipment for filmmakers.
The deadline for all entries is December 13, 2022, at 07:00 AM (CT). The two-day workshop programme will take place at the Sony Pictures studio lot in Culver City, California on February 23 and 24, 2023. The jury panel for the inaugural edition will be announced in September 2022.