The Sony Future Filmmaker Awards unveil today the industry-leading jury panel for the 2026 edition, returning to Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City from June 8—11, 2026.
Now entering their fourth year, the Awards continue to spotlight emerging talent and to provide them with the creative momentum to push forward their careers. Established by Creo in partnership with Sony, this annual programme for short films celebrates the bold new voices reshaping cinema and gives them the opportunity to forge connections across the international filmmaking community. Shortlisted creators are flown to Los Angeles to attend an exclusive industry program of engaging and interactive sessions and masterclasses, where they are given backstage access through a carefully curated program of screenings and workshops. This unique convergence of insight, craft, and community provides emerging storytellers with the tools to propel their careers forward on a global stage. Free for all to enter, the competition is open for submissions until December 16, 2025.
Leading the selection of this year’s winners is a jury of trailblazers from across the industry: Golden Globe-nominated director and producer Will Gluck (Anyone But You, Peter Rabbit, Easy A), acclaimed producer and President of Film and Television at Pascal Pictures Rachel O’Connor (Challengers, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Little Women), animation co-director Adam Rosette (The Wild Robot, Orion and the Dark, upcoming GOAT), and award-winning director Justin Chadwick (Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, The Other Boleyn Girl, upcoming Sierra Madre), who returns as jury chair for the fourth consecutive year.
Justin Chadwick, award-winning theater, television and film director and Chair of the Jury said:
“The shortlist last year brought together 30 exceptional filmmakers whose distinctive voices and compelling narratives earned them a place at the beating heart of Los Angeles’ creative community, giving them unprecedented access to how cinema is evolving in real time. We have a remarkable jury line-up this year, and I speak for us all when I say that we’re searching for films that challenge conventions, spark genuine emotion, and transform how audiences perceive the world around them. As we head into the 2026 edition, we’re eager to discover that kernel of originality and vision that elevates good filmmaking into something extraordinary.”
This year’s shortlisted filmmakers will be announced on April 30, 2026, and flown to Los Angeles for the four-day program at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City from June 8—11, 2026. Led by Sony Pictures executives, these sessions invite the filmmakers to learn more about essential aspects of the industry; from production, to navigating talent deals, and the studio’s film acquisition process, through to working with publicists, animation techniques, and the art of soundtracking a story, as well as cutting-edge technology demonstrations. The program is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to connect with industry leaders and fellow creators from around the world, becoming part of a dynamic network of international filmmakers. The event culminates in a gala ceremony on June 11, 2026, where the category winners will be unveiled and awarded a range of cash prizes and Sony Digital Imaging equipment.
For the 2026 competition, filmmakers can submit short films across five categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Animation, Student, and Future Format – challenging filmmakers to respond to a technical brief that explores the creative possibilities of bold and innovative storytelling. This year Future Format invites entrants to submit shorts created specifically for vertical viewing (9:16 aspect ratio). Also returning to this year’s Awards is the Sustainability Prize, set up by Creo and Sony to spotlight a short film that creatively communicates how themes of environment, accessibility, diversity, equality and inclusion can encourage us to act together to ensure a positive future for the planet.
2026 JUDGES
Justin Chadwick is an award-winning British theater, television and film director. He is best known for critically acclaimed films including the Academy Award®, BAFTA and Golden Globe-nominated Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013), the AFI and IFTA nominated The Other Boleyn Girl (2008); Tulip Fever (2017) and The First Grader (2010). His films have won numerous awards including the Audience Award at Durban International Film Festival, the Audience Prize for Best Film at Doha Tribeca Film Festival, both Best Director’s Choice and Audience Choice Awards at the Sedona Film Festival, and Best Feature Film at the Palm Beach Film Festival 2010. His award-winning short films include Boy (2011), Shakespeare Shorts (1996) and Family Style (1993). His recent credits include the Disney+ series Shardlake (2024), Amazon’s Fear (2025), and the upcoming film Sierra Madre starring Kiefer Sutherland, currently in post- production.
Will Gluck is a writer, director, and producer known for Easy A (2010), Friends with Benefits (2011), Annie (2014), Peter Rabbit (2018), Peter Rabbit 2 (2021) and a number of TV shows including ENCORE!, Chicago Party Aunt, Sneakerheads, Woke, The Michael J. Fox Show and more. Most recently, Will directed the smash-hit romcom Anyone But You (2023) for Sony starring Sydney Sweeney and Glenn Powell. Will is currently directing the original comedy One Night Only for Universal starring Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner. Will is also set to produce and direct the action-comedy End of the World for Sony which he co-wrote with Chris Bremner. His production company, Olive Bridge Entertainment, includes multiple series in development at multiple streamers, as well as features at Columbia, Disney, Universal, Tristar and Sony Pictures Animation. Born in New York City, he now resides in Los Angeles with his family.
Rachel O’Connor is the President of Film and Television at Pascal Pictures, a production company based at Amazon Studios. O’Connor is a Producer on the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and starring Tom Holland, and Project Hail Mary, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and starring Ryan Gosling. Most recently, she was a Producer on Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers, an Executive Producer on Spider-Man: No Way Home, Spider-Man: Far From Home, and a Co-Producer on Spider-Man: Homecoming. Previously, O’Connor was a Co-Producer on Steven Spielberg’s Academy Award-nominated The Post and was an Executive Producer of Greta Gerwig’s Academy Award-nominated Little Women. Before making the move to Pascal Pictures, O’Connor worked as an executive for Sony for over 15 years and currently sits on the Board of the Vidiots Foundation. O’Connor was raised in Los Angeles where she currently resides with her husband and son.
Adam Rosette is a co-director at Sony Pictures Animation, currently working alongside director Tyree Dillihay on the upcoming original animated sports comedy GOAT, in partnership with producer Stephen Curry’s Unanimous Media. In 2023, Rosette joined Sony Pictures Animation as the head of story on GOAT, before being promoted to co-director. Previously, Rosette spent 9 years at DreamWorks Animation, serving as the head of story on Orion and the Dark, and as a storyboard artist on The Wild Robot, Dog Man, The Croods: A New Age, The Bad Guys, and more. Rosette was born in New Jersey and spent his childhood bouncing between there and New York City. He eventually landed at the School of Visual Arts in NYC, where he earned his BFA in Animation.