Sony announces jury for first Future Filmmaker Awards 2023

Creo is pleased to reveal the panel of judges for the inaugural edition of the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards; a major new annual program for short films, providing a gateway for the development of creative excellence and free for anyone to enter. 

Chaired by award-winning director Justin Chadwick, this year’s jury comprises leading and celebrated figures from the film industry including Nicole Brown, President of TriStar Pictures; Jeremy Barber, Partner, Motion Picture Literary and Talent, United Talent Agency; and Sir Roger A. Deakins, Academy award-winning cinematographer.

Justin Chadwick, award-winning theatre, television and film director and Chair of the Jury, says: ‘I am honoured to preside over this panel of highly distinguished individuals, and I look forward to working with my fellow jury to discover fresh talent from across the globe. It was through the medium of short films I made my directorial debut and began receiving recognition for my work and I’m excited by the unique opportunities this new Awards program has to offer to young and emerging filmmakers.’

Also announced are further details about the three days of workshops, screenings and panels, led by Sony Pictures executives. This exceptional opportunity offers winning and shortlisted filmmakers exclusive access and unparalleled insight into the inner workings of the industry through first-hand knowledge of the crucial stages of the film-making process - from initial pitching to casting, editing and theatrical marketing.

Josh Greenstein, President of Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group says: ‘The Sony Future Filmmaker Awards is an exciting new initiative to help support fresh talent from around the world. Sony Pictures look forward to welcoming winning and shortlisted creators to the Studio lot here in Culver City, California, where through our carefully assembled workshop program led by our roster of experts, they’ll be able to gain a new understanding of the business to help them take the next steps in their filmmaking careers.’

The Sony Future Filmmaker Awards ceremony will take place on 22 February 2023 in the Cary Grant Theatre at the historic Sony Pictures Studio lot in Culver City, California. Thirty shortlisted filmmakers will be flown to Los Angeles to attend the ceremony and workshop program. Winners from six categories will be announced on the night and rewarded with cash prizes and a range of Sony’s Digital Imaging equipment.

SONY PICTURES WORKSHOP PROGRAM

Announced is a list of topics covered over three-days of workshops, panel discussions and screenings (23 - 25 February 2023) to be led by Sony Pictures executives and held on the Sony Pictures Studio lot. Specifically tailored to support filmmakers’ career progression, the program represents a singular opportunity for all 30 winning and shortlisted creators to gain the insight required into the business of film and to the key divisions in a major motion pictures studio. 

The full program includes:

• The Pitching Process
• Theatrical Marketing
• Casting & Talent
• Sony Pictures Classics
• Production: Physical & Post
• PlayStation Productions
• Filmmaker Process
• Business Affairs
• Editing – CGI/VFX
• Sony Innovation Studios
• Sound & Sound Mixing
• Acquisitions
• Film Scoring & Music Rights
• Sony 3000 Pictures

In addition to the workshop program, the six category winners will also receive exclusive access to Sony’s state-of-the-art Digital Media Production Centre (DMPC), a unique resource for everything related to cutting-edge technologies and end-to-end production, where they will learn to operate their newly won Sony gear in a live and virtual production environment.