Sony presents the Catchlight Film Festival to once again celebrate the best short-form filmmaking shot on Sony cameras across Australia and New Zealand. The Festival continues its mission to encourage filmmakers at all levels, from passionate amateurs to industry veterans, showcasing the exceptional talent and abilities of cinematographers and filmmakers who are using the Sony system to capture their stories.
What's New in 2026?
The prize structure for the major categories remains the same in 2025, carrying forward the improved prize structure, with prizing split into separate gear and grant elements, but the Cinematic Social category has been retired in 2026.
Competition Dates
The Catchlight Film Festival commences at 12:00 PM AEDT on Monday 2nd March 2026 and closes for submissions at 11:59PM AEST on Tuesday, 30th June 2026.
Judging will commence on Wednesday, 1st July 2026 with all shortlisted entrants notified by Monday, 3rd August 2026. If shortlisted entrants cannot be contacted by Monday 10th August 2026 their entry will be deemed invalid and will not be eligible to continue ahead in the judging process, and another film may be selected in their place.
An Awards ceremony for the Film Festival is planned for September. All Finalists will be notified closer to the date.
In partnership with our sister companies Sony Pictures Releasing and Sony Music, winners in Fiction, Non-Fiction and Student Fiction will be awarded with a unique experience as well as a prize package of Sony digital imaging products. In addition, we are continuing our Catchlight laurel awards that highlight exceptional cinematography, as well as the skillful use of Sony's native lens range, each with a valuable prize attached.
------- Fiction Winner ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
- VIP tickets for the Catchlight Film Festival award ceremony in Sydney for up to 5 people from the production crew.
- A film-maker’s prize package consisting of:
(1) $5,000 worth of Sony Digital Imaging products, (2) a Sony Digital Imaging product loan, up to the value of $5,000, (3) a $5,000 grant. All subject to acceptance of the competition terms and conditions.
Up to 3 people from the production team will receive a Sony Pictures Professional Development/Mentoring Session with a Senior Executive at Sony Pictures Releasing and a prominent Australian Producer.
Some conditions apply, see T&Cs
------- Fiction Runner-Up --------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP tickets for the Catchlight Film Festival award ceremony in Sydney for up to 5 people from the production crew.
Up to 3 people from the production team will receive a Sony Pictures Professional Development/Mentoring Session with a Senior Executive at Sony Pictures Releasing and a prominent Australian Producer.
------- Non-Fiction Winner --------------------------------------------------------------------
- VIP tickets for the Catchlight Film Festival award ceremony in Sydney for up to 5 people from the production crew.
- A film-maker’s prize package consisting of:
(1) $5,000 worth of Sony Digital Imaging products, (2) a Sony Digital Imaging product loan, up to the value of $5,000, (3) a $5,000 grant. All subject to acceptance of the competition terms and conditions.
Up to 3 people from the production team will receive a Sony Pictures Professional Development/Mentoring Session with a Senior Executive at Sony Pictures Releasing and a prominent Australian Producer.
Some conditions apply, see T&Cs
------- Non-Fiction Runner-Up ---------------------------------------------------------------
VIP tickets for the Catchlight Film Festival award ceremony in Sydney for up to 5 people from the production crew.
Up to 3 people from the production team will receive a Sony Pictures Professional Development/Mentoring Session with a Senior Executive at Sony Pictures Releasing and a prominent Australian Producer.
------- Music Video Winner --------------------------------------------------------------------
- VIP tickets for the Catchlight Film Festival award ceremony in Sydney for up to 5 people from the production crew.
- A film-maker’s prize package consisting of:
(1) $5,000 worth of Sony Digital Imaging products, (2) a Sony Digital Imaging product loan, up to the value of $5,000, (3) a $5,000 grant. All subject to acceptance of the competition terms and conditions.
Up to 3 people from the production team will receive the opportunity to work with the Sony Music team (and be credited on) visual content for a Sony Music emerging artist, relevant to your skills set and subject to acceptance of the competition terms and conditions.
Some conditions apply, see T&Cs
------- Music Video Runner-Up --------------------------------------------------------------
VIP tickets for the Catchlight Film Festival award ceremony in Sydney for up to 5 people from the production crew.
------- Student Fiction Winner --------------------------------------------------------------
- VIP tickets for the Catchlight Film Festival award ceremony in Sydney for up to 5 people from the production crew.
- A film-maker’s prize package consisting of:
(1) $5,000 worth of Sony Digital Imaging products, (2) a Sony Digital Imaging product loan, up to the value of $5,000, (3) a $5,000 grant. All subject to acceptance of the competition terms and conditions.
Up to 3 people from the production team will receive a Sony Pictures Professional Development/Mentoring Session with a Senior Executive at Sony Pictures Releasing and a prominent Australian Producer.
Some conditions apply, see T&Cs
------- Student Fiction Runner Up ---------------------------------------------------------
VIP tickets for the Catchlight Film Festival award ceremony in Sydney for up to 5 people from the production crew.
Up to 3 people from the production team will receive a Sony Pictures Professional Development/Mentoring Session with a Senior Executive at Sony Pictures Releasing and a prominent Australian Producer.
------- Best Sony Lens Work Laurel ---------------------------------------------------------
The Best Sony Lens Work Laurel winner is selected from across all submissions, and is eligible only to films which were exclusively filmed using native Sony E-Mount lenses and demonstrate excellence in cinematography.
The recipient of the Best Sony Lens Work Laurel will receive $2,500 worth of Sony lens product from the Promoter.
