Sony Future Filmmaker Awards 2027

The Sony Future Filmmaker Awards is a free international short film competition for independent filmmakers. The 2027 edition has six categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Animation, Immersive, Student and Future Format, a brief for vertical films. Category winners receive up to $5,000 and Sony camera equipment, and shortlisted filmmakers are flown to Los Angeles for a workshop programme and awards ceremony. The deadline is 7:00 AM (US Central Time) on 15 December 2026.

The awards are organised by Creo, the same team behind the Sony World Photography Awards, and sponsored by Sony.

Categories

• Fiction and Non-Fiction: a winner chosen from a shortlist of up to 10
• Animation: a winner from a shortlist of up to 5
• Student: for current film students, a winner from up to 5
• Immersive: 180° or 360° VR films of 5 to 20 minutes, a winner from up to 3
• Future Format: vertical 9:16 films of 2 to 5 minutes, designed for vertical viewing, with a winner and up to five commended entries

Each person can enter one film per category.

Who Can Enter?

Filmmakers anywhere in the world, including under-18s with a guardian's consent. It suits:

• Independent short filmmakers
• Animators and motion designers
• Documentary makers
• Film students and recent graduates
• Creators experimenting with VR or vertical storytelling

Entry Fee

Free in all six categories.

Prizes

• Fiction, Non-Fiction, Animation and Immersive winners: $5,000
• Future Format winner: $2,500 and a camera with lens
• Equipment: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Animation and Student winners receive a Sony camera with lens and a Meta VR device; the Immersive winner receives a Meta VR device
• Trip to Los Angeles: flights and accommodation for all shortlisted filmmakers in five categories and the Future Format winner, with workshops and the ceremony
• Trophies and certificates for winners, shortlisted and commended entrants

You will need a valid US visa to travel.

Submission Requirements

Films must have been released between 1 January 2025 and 15 December 2026, be in English or have English subtitles, and you must own full copyright. Submit a description and a link to an online screener such as Vimeo or YouTube, which must stay active until 31 July 2027. Any use of AI must be disclosed. Shortlisted filmmakers must later deliver a high-resolution master, audio stems, subtitles, a trailer, stills and a poster.

Tips for Entering

Watch the previous shortlists on the official site to understand the level. Short, focused stories work best: a strong opening minute matters, as juries watch many films. For Future Format, compose for the vertical frame from the start; repurposed horizontal footage and social-media-style edits are excluded.

Why Enter the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards?

Free short film competitions with cash prizes and a funded trip are rare. Shortlisted filmmakers meet industry professionals during the Los Angeles programme, take part in workshops and screen their work at the ceremony. The awards also give an international showcase to filmmakers from countries with few funding opportunities.

Choosing the Right Category

Read each category brief before you enter. Documentary work goes in Non-Fiction, scripted work in Fiction, and students should check whether the Student category fits better than an open one. You can enter several categories with different films, so consider entering a vertical short in Future Format alongside your main film.

Things to Consider

• Free entry, one film per category.
• English subtitles for non-English dialogue.
• US visa needed for the trip.
• Deadline: 15 December 2026.

Enter the Awards

Ready to submit your short film?

Enter the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards

Category briefs and the full rules are on the official website.

Looking for more open calls? Browse all competitions and opportunities on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: November 2, 2026