Now in its fifth year, 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 2025?
After very positive feedback on the significant changes made in 2024, 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, and the new Cinematic Social category ongoing.
Competition Dates
Entries open at 12:00 PM AEDT on Thursday 6th March 2025 and close for submissions at 11:59PM AEST on Monday, 30th June 2025.
Judging will commence on Tuesday, 1st July 2025, with all finalists notified from Monday, 28th July 2025. If finalists cannot be reached within 5 business days of initial outreach, their entry will be deemed invalid and another finalist will be selected in their place.
An Awards ceremony for the Film Festival is planned for September.
In partnership with our sister company Sony Pictures Releasing, 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, thanks to the support of our partners at Atomos, Lemac, VA Hire, Videocraft and Southern Cross Cameras, we are continuing our Catchlight laurel awards that highlight exceptional cinematography, as well as the skilful 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:
- $5,000 worth of Sony Digital Imaging products,
- A Sony Digital Imaging product loan, up to the value of $5,000, subject to acceptance of the terms and conditions.
- A $5,000 grant, subject to acceptance of the 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.
------- 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:
- $5,000 worth of Sony Digital Imaging products,
- A Sony Digital Imaging product loan, up to the value of $5,000, subject to acceptance of the terms and conditions.
- A $5,000 grant, subject to acceptance of the 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.
------- 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:
- $5,000 worth of Sony Digital Imaging products,
- A Sony Digital Imaging product loan, up to the value of $5,000, subject to acceptance of the terms and conditions.
- A $5,000 grant, subject to acceptance of the 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 terms set out in clause 15.
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:
- $5,000 worth of Sony Digital Imaging products,
- A Sony Digital Imaging product loan, up to the value of $5,000, subject to acceptance of the terms and conditions.
- A $5,000 grant, subject to acceptance of the 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.
------- Cinematic Social -----------------------------------------------------------------------
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:
- $5,000 worth of Sony Digital Imaging products,
- A Sony Digital Imaging product loan, up to the value of $5,000, subject to acceptance of the terms and condition.
- A $5,000 grant, subject to acceptance of the terms and conditions.
An opportunity to work with Sony Australia Limited on a Social Media & Digital Marketing campaign, subject to acceptance of the terms and conditions.
------- Cinematic Social Runner Up -------------------------------------------------------
VIP tickets for the Catchlight Film Festival award ceremony in Sydney for up to 5 people from the production crew.
------- Special Laurels --------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Cinematography Laurel winner in the Non-Fiction category will receive a $2500 rental equipment package, courtesy of VA Digital Hire Pty Ltd.
The Cinematography Laurel winner in the Fiction category will receive a $2500 rental equipment package, courtesy of Lemac Films Australia Pty Ltd.
The Cinematography Laurel winner in the Music Video category will receive a $2500 rental equipment package, courtesy of Videocraft Australia Pty Ltd.
The Cinematography Laurel winner in the Cinematic Social category will receive a $2500 rental equipment package, courtesy of Southern Cross Cameras.
The Best Sony Lens Work Laurel winner across all submissions receives $2,500 worth of Sony lens gear from the Promoter.
