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Events, photo walks, talks from the masters, in-depth workshops. Expand your horizons with one of our many events across Australia.

Starting Never Ends is the one place for all Sony camera mini-sites. Learn about all new Sony camera products in a fun interactive way.

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About the competition

Returning for its third year running, 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 aims 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. 

In 2023, the Catchlight Film Festival includes four categories; Fiction (scripted), Non-Fiction (documentary), Student Fiction and Music Video, once again encouraging submissions from short filmmakers of all kinds. Building on Sony’s deep roots in the global film and television industry, and its technology leadership in digital imaging, the Catchlight Film Festival aims to support the vibrant and flourishing filmmaking community in Australia and New Zealand.

Competition Dates

Entries open at 12:00 PM AEDT on Monday, 20th February 2023 and close for submissions at 11:59PM AEST on Sunday, 25 June 2023.

Judging will commence on Monday, 26 June 2023 with all finalists notified from Monday, 31st July 2023. If finalists cannot be contacted by Monday, 7th August 2023 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 early September, with online screenings in the month preceding.

Prizes

In partnership with our sister companies Sony Pictures Releasing and Sony Music, each category-winning film will be awarded with a unique experience specific to that category 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 and Videocraft, we are launching a set of special 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 Sony Film Festival award ceremony in Sydney for up to 5 people from the production crew.
  • A film-maker’s prize package containing $10,000 worth of Sony digital imaging products.
  • 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, subject to acceptance of the terms set out in clause 10 of the T&Cs.
  • A double pass to attend the AACTA (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts) Awards 2024.
  • Delivery of this prize is subject to acceptance of terms (See clause 10).
Fiction Runner-Up
  • VIP tickets for the Sony Film Festival award ceremony in Sydney for up to 5 people from the production crew.
Non-Fiction Winner
  • VIP tickets for the Sony Film Festival award ceremony in Sydney for up to 5 people from the production crew.
  • A film-maker’s prize package containing $10,000 worth of Sony digital imaging products.
  • Up to 3 people from the production team will receive a Professional Development Session with a panel of industry professionals including the category judge, subject to acceptance of the terms set out in clause 10.
  • A double pass to attend the AACTA (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts) Awards 2023.
  • Delivery of this prize is subject to acceptance of terms (See clause 10).
Non-Fiction Runner-Up
  • VIP tickets for the Sony Film Festival award ceremony in Sydney for up to 5 people from the production crew.
Music Video Winner
  • VIP tickets for the Sony Film Festival award ceremony in Sydney for up to 5 people from the production crew.
  • A film-maker’s prize package containing $10,000 worth of Sony digital imaging products.
  • 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 11.
  • A double pass to attend the AACTA (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts) Awards 2023.
Music Video Runner-Up
  • VIP tickets for the Sony Film Festival award ceremony in Sydney for up to 5 people from the production crew.
Student Fiction Winner
  • VIP tickets for the Sony Film Festival award ceremony in Sydney for up to 5 people from the production crew.
  • A film-maker’s prize package containing $10,000 worth of Sony digital imaging products.
Student Fiction Runner Up
  • VIP tickets for the Sony Film Festival award ceremony in Sydney for up to 5 people from the production crew 

Special Laurels
  • Best Cinematography in Fiction, supported by Videocraft
    • A $2500 rental gear package, courtesy of Videocraft
  • Best Cinematography in Non-Fiction, supported by VA Hire
    • A $2500 rental gear package, courtesy of VA Hire
  • Best Cinematography in Music Video, supported by Lemac
    • A $2500 rental gear package, courtesy of Lemac
  • Best Cinematography in Student Fiction, supported by Atomos
    • $2,500 worth of Atomos gear, courtesy of Atomos
  • Best Sony Lens Work
    • $2,500 worth of Sony lens/es

Duration: 2-20 minutes

Fiction film, narrative film, or fictional film is a film that tells an original (undocumented) fictional or fictionalized story, event or narrative.  A fictional film is wholly unique and is considered original by the production team. Lighting and camera movement, among other cinematic elements such sound and musical components, and visual editing, are deployed to create a cohesive fictional narrative and are considerations for judging in this category.

Any film content depicting real life people, events, or narratives, is considered Non-fiction and these films should be submitted into the Non-fiction category.

Duration: 2-20 minutes

Non-fiction is any film that is presented as a depiction of real-life events, people, or narratives. Non-fiction (i.e documentary) content may be presented either objectively or subjectively, and can take the form of a story. Typical submissions for this category are documentary and mockumentary films.

Films that present information, events, or characters that are largely imaginary, or are fictionalisations of real events, are considered to be fiction and these films should be submitted into the Fiction category. 

Duration: according to track

A music video is a short film which is shot and edited to a pre-existing piece of music. The use of cinematic elements such as camera movement, lighting, and editing, are deployed to support the piece of music.

There is no restriction on music genre, and purely instrumental work is also eligible for submission.

If the video is largely made of a narrative and only partially features an original song/musical score, consider submitting the film into the Fiction or Non-fiction categories.

Duration: 2-20 minutes

Created to provide a platform to share the extraordinary work done by filmmakers who do not yet have the benefit of larger budgets and broader industry connections, the Student Fiction category is open to scripted films in which the Director, Cinematographer and Producer were all enrolled in a recognised tertiary education institution during the year in which the film was completed.

Judges

The judges for the main categories are as follows:
  • Non-Fiction
    •  Yolanda Ramke (Screenwriter, Director)
  • Music Video
    • Sony Music
  • Student Fiction
    • Simeon Bryan (Senior Lecturer, AFTRS)
  • Fiction
    • TBC
  • Other Laurels
    • TBC

Terms and Conditions

 
  1. Instructions on how to enter and the prizes form part of these Terms and Conditions. Participation in this promotion is deemed acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.
  2. Entries are open to individuals who are Australian and New Zealand residents, and:
    1. entrants must be over the age of 18 at time of entry;
    2. employees of the Promoter and their immediate families are ineligible to enter;
    3. contractors of the Promoter in connection to digital imaging are ineligible to enter; and
    4. a maximum of three entry per person per category will be accepted
  3. Promotion commences at 12:00 PM AEDT on Monday, 20th February 2023 and closes for submissions at 11:59PM AEST on Sunday, 25th June 2023. Judging will commence on Monday, 26 June 2023 with all finalists notified from Monday, 31st July 2023. If finalists cannot be contacted by Monday, 7th August 2023 their entry will be deemed invalid and another finalist will be selected in their place.
  4. All dollar values in these Terms and Conditions refer to Australian dollars.
  5. Prizes include:
    1. 4 x Category Prize Winners 
      • Fiction Winner
        • VIP tickets for the Sony Film Festival award ceremony in Sydney for up to 5 people from the production crew.
        • A film-maker’s prize package containing $10,000 worth of Sony digital imaging products.
        • 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, subject to acceptance of the terms set out in clause 10.
        • A double pass to attend the AACTA (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts) Awards 2024.
        • Delivery of this prize is subject to acceptance of terms (See clause 10).
      • Fiction Runner-Up
        • VIP tickets for the Sony Film Festival award ceremony in Sydney for up to 5 people from the production crew.
      • Non-Fiction Winner
        • VIP tickets for the Sony Film Festival award ceremony in Sydney for up to 5 people from the production crew.
        • A film-maker’s prize package containing $10,000 worth of Sony digital imaging products.
        • Up to 3 people from the production team will receive a Professional Development Session with a panel of industry professionals including the category judge, subject to acceptance of the terms set out in clause 10.
        • A double pass to attend the AACTA (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts) Awards 2023.
        • Delivery of this prize is subject to acceptance of terms (See clause 10).
      • Non-Fiction Runner-Up
        • VIP tickets for the Sony Film Festival award ceremony in Sydney for up to 5 people from the production crew.
      • Music Video Winner
        • VIP tickets for the Sony Film Festival award ceremony in Sydney for up to 5 people from the production crew.
        • A film-maker’s prize package containing $10,000 worth of Sony digital imaging products.
        • 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 11.
        • A double pass to attend the AACTA (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts) Awards 2023.
      • Music Video Runner-Up
        • VIP tickets for the Sony Film Festival award ceremony in Sydney for up to 5 people from the production crew.
      • Student Fiction Winner
        • VIP tickets for the Sony Film Festival award ceremony in Sydney for up to 5 people from the production crew.
        • A film-maker’s prize package containing $10,000 worth of Sony digital imaging products.
      • Student Fiction Runner Up
        • VIP tickets for the Sony Film Festival award ceremony in Sydney for up to 5 people from the production crew
      • Your placement will be included in official Sony press-release/s and you will receive official graphics and trophy denoting your prize.
    2. 4 x Cinematography Laurels, one per Category as follows:
      • The Cinematography Laurel winner in the Non-Fiction category will receive a $5000 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 Videocraft Australia Pty Ltd.
      • The Cinematography Laurel winner in the Music Video category will receive a $1000 rental equipment package, courtesy of Lemac Films Australia Pty Ltd.
      • The Cinematography Laurel winner in the Student Fiction category receives the following equipment, courtesy of Atomos Pty Ltd (“Atomos”);
        • 1* Ninja V+
        • 1* AtomX 5” Accessory kit
        • 1* 500gb ssdmini
    3. 1 x Best Sony Lens Work Laurel, as follows:
      • The Best Sony Lens Work Laurel winner across all submissions receives $2,500 worth of Sony lens gear from the Promoter.
All winners will have a maximum period of 6 months to select their Sony product/s to the corresponding retail value offered for their prize.
  1. To enter, individuals must:
    1. Read, understand, and complete the online entry form located at www.sony.com.au/filmfestival[SE1] 
    2. Submit a link to the full entry, uploaded on either Vimeo or YouTube platforms, along with any passwords required. 
      1. Own the rights and permissions to any sound & footage included in the work they submit and have obtained all necessary releases for identifiable persons featured in any footage. If it is found that the entrant has submitted any sound or footage that they do not own the rights to (and/or do not have the required permissions and/or releases for), their entry will be deemed invalid. Sony will not be liable for any legal action taken against such entrants by the rightful owner of the footage (and/or persons who claim that the required permission was not given and/or release obtained)[MD(A2] .
        1. Submissions for the Music Video category must confirm that they have explicit permission from the rights holder to submit.[SE3] 
        2. No more than 20% of the total runtime of any submitted film should be stock footage.
    3. Give Sony permission to use the submitted film to promote and exhibit Sony Film Festival. Where possible, such usage will include credit for director and cinematographer[MD(A4] . This includes:
      1. Promotional license for a period of up to 18 months. Usage of finalists’ and winners’ films may be used in advertisements for Sony Film Festival in (but not limited to) online, promotional materials, in-store point of sale materials, news media, and social media.
      2. License to publicly exhibit, in perpetuity, at Sony Film Festival Exhibitions held domestically and internationally, as well as online.
  1.  Individuals whose submissions reach the final round of judging may be asked to provide:
    1.  a high quality file of their entry. Footage under 1080p resolution, or suffering from heavy compression, may not be accepted as high resolution. If the individual is unable to provide a high resolution version, their entry may be deemed invalid.
    2. A short behind the scenes video showing the Sony camera gear in use and how the shoot took place.  2-3 minutes maximum, minimal production value required.
      • In instances where it is not possible to capture behind the scenes footage, a photo montage showing the Sony camera gear in use will be accepted.
 
  1. By entering the competition and accepting the Terms and Conditions, individuals are declaring that the film submitted by them is their own original work, and they have legal authority to grant rights relating to that work.
 
  1. At the time the Online Entry Form is submitted, individuals will receive an email from the Promoter, to confirm that their submission has been successful.
 
  1. The Fiction and Non-Fiction category prize winners are entitled to the prize as outlined in this document and are not entitled to any additional prizing or cash reimbursement to compensate for any difference in actual prize redemption cost and maximum value, or costs incurred in redeeming the prize. The prize is non-transferable, non-refundable and non-redeemable for cash. No compensation is payable if the Winner cannot receive any aspect of the prize for any reason.
    1. Exact details for the Professional Development/Mentoring Session will be communicated directly to you by a Sony representative closer to the execution date. The Date, Location, and Time are determined by Sony, in conjunction with the Winner’s availabilities.
 
  1. The Music Video category prize includes the opportunity to take part in an ideation session with the Sony Music marketing team to create video content for a Sony Music artist with a total creative budget of up to A$10,000. Sony Music may decide, in its sole discretion, to engage the Music Video winner to contribute to the creation of the video content alongside Sony Music and third party creatives. In the event that the Music Video winner is engaged to contribute to the creation of the video content, the opportunity is conditional on: (i) Sony Music determining in its sole discretion what skill the Music Video winner will contribute to the creation of the video content; (ii) the Music Video winner entering into a written agreement with Sony Music and complying with all terms and conditions set out in that agreement; and (iii) the Music Video winner complying with all reasonable instructions and directions given by Sony Music in connection with any video content ideation and creation. For the avoidance of doubt, the artist and Sony Music shall have complete creative, artistic and technical control and approval over all elements of the video content.
    1. The Music Video winner is only entitled to the prize as outlined in this document and is not entitled to any additional prizing or cash reimbursement to compensate for any difference in actual prize redemption cost and maximum value. The prize is non-transferable, non-refundable and non-redeemable for cash. No compensation is payable if the Music Video winner cannot receive any aspect of the prize for any reason.
    2. Each entrant fully releases Sony Music Entertainment Australia Pty Ltd and Sony Music Entertainment New Zealand Ltd (individually and collectively referred to herein as “Sony Music”) from any loss or liability suffered by the entrant in connection with the running of the Promotion.
 
  1. Any entrants that are unable to complete the entry process online can contact the Promoter by sending an email to SonyFilmFestival.SANZ@sony.com to arrange an alternative method of entry submission.
 
  1. The Promoter reserves the right, at any time, to verify the validity of entries and individuals (including an entrant’s identity, age and place of residence) and reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who the Promoter has reason to believe has breached any of these Terms and Conditions, tampered with the entry process or engaged in any unlawful or other improper misconduct calculated to jeopardise fair and proper conduct of the Promotion.
 
  1. The Promoter’s decisions in relation to the Promotion (including but not limited to selection of finalists and prize winners) are final and no correspondence will be entered into.
 
  1. The Promoter reserves the right to disqualify any work in the event that the content of the film is gratuitous or is likely to bring Sony or the Promotion [MD(A5] into disrepute.
 
  1. Errors and omissions may be accepted at the Promoter's discretion. Failure by the Promoter to enforce any of its rights at any stage does not constitute a waiver of those rights. The Promoter reserves its legal rights to recover damages or other compensation from such an offender.
 
  1. If there is a dispute as to the identity of an entrant, the Promoter reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to determine the identity of the entrant.
 
  1. If this Promotion is interfered with in any way or is not capable of being conducted as reasonably anticipated due to any reason beyond the reasonable control of the Promoter, including but not limited to technical difficulties, unauthorised intervention or fraud, the Promoter reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to the fullest extent permitted by law to disqualify any entrant, modify, suspend, terminate or cancel the Promotion, as appropriate.
 
  1. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions limits, excludes or modifies or purports to limit, exclude or modify the statutory consumer guarantees set out in the Australian Consumer Law of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), as well as any other implied warranties under the ASIC Act or similar consumer protection laws in the State and Territories of Australia or, where relevant, the statutory consumer guarantees set out in the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the Fair Trading Act 1986 in New Zealand (“Non-Excludable Guarantees”). Except for any liability that cannot by law be excluded, including the Non-Excludable Guarantees, the Promoter (including its respective officers, employees and agents) excludes all liability (including negligence), for any personal injury; or any loss or damage (including loss of opportunity); whether direct, indirect, special or consequential, arising in any way out of the promotion.
 
  1. Except for any liability that cannot by law be excluded, including the Non-Excludable Guarantees, the Promoter (including its respective officers, employees and agents) is not responsible for and excludes all liability (including negligence) including, but not limited to, in relation to any personal injury; or any loss or damage (including loss of opportunity); whether direct, indirect, special or consequential, arising in any way out of: (a) any technical difficulties or equipment malfunction (whether or not under the Promoter’s control); (b) any theft, unauthorised access or third party interference; (c) any entry that is late, lost, altered, damaged or misdirected (whether or not after their receipt by the Promoter) due to any reason beyond the reasonable control of the Promoter; (d) any tax liability incurred by a entrant; or (e) taking/use of a prize.
 
  1. The Promoter collects personal information ("PI") in order to conduct the promotion and may, for this purpose, disclose such PI to third parties, including but not limited to agents, contractors, service providers and prize suppliers. Entry is conditional on providing this PI. The Promoter will also use and handle PI as set out in its Privacy Policy, which can be viewed at https://www.sony.com.au/section/contactusprivacypolicy. In addition to any use that may be outlined in the Promoter’s Privacy Policy, the Promoter may, for an indefinite period, unless otherwise advised, use the PI for promotional, marketing, publicity, research and profiling purposes, including sending electronic messages or telephoning the entrant. The Privacy Policy also contains information about how entrants may opt out, access, update or correct their PI, how entrants may complain about a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles, the New Zealand Information Privacy Principles, or any other applicable law and how those complaints will be dealt with. All entries become the property of the Promoter.
 
  1. The Promoter is Sony Australia Limited (ABN 59 001 215 354) of Level 7, 73 Miller Street, North Sydney, NSW 2060.

Frequently Asked Questions

I want to insert stock footage for a scene. Can I do this?
Yes, this is acceptable however you must observe the 80/20 usage as outlined in the conditions of entry.
I want to use footage shot on a drone. Can I do this?
Yes, this is acceptable however you must observe the 80/20 usage as outlined in the conditions of entry.
I have a stop-motion animation film shot on a Sony camera. Can I submit this?
Yes, you can submit this as your entry. We recommend that you enter this under the Fiction category.
Does the submitted footage need to be shot on Sony lenses?
The Sony Film Festival has no requirement for make-of-lens used.
Will there be a screening of finalists and winners?
There is a planned screening event to take place in mid August 2022, however this is to be confirmed based on the pandemic situation at the time of judging.
Do I need to own a Sony camera, or can a I submit a film shot on a rented Sony camera?
You do not need to own a Sony camera to submit your film into the festival, but 80% or more of the film must be shot on Sony.

For the Behind the Scenes (BTS) footage, I have a combination of videos and still images, or predominantly stills. Can I use this for the BTS submission?
Yes, you can use a combination of stills and video for your BTS submission. Place your photos onto a video timeline and submit the exported video as a slideshow of your photos.
 
Can I submit footage that was shot on a Sony camera but recorded on an external recorder, such as the Atomos Ninja V?
For the purposes of our submission rules, we consider externally captured footage to be shot on a Sony camera.
Are there any restrictions on the age of my film being submitted for the Sony Film Festival?
The Sony Film Festival is looking for films which have completed production within the last two (2) years, and new original films. Leniency may be given to older films at judges’ discretion, however the film must be made available in a 4K master if the film is successfully shortlisted.
What kind of feedback can I expect to receive on my entry?
Unfortunately, due to staffing limitations and the quantity of entries we receive, we cannot provide detailed feedback for all entrants.  Films that reach the final round of judging may receive comments from the judges, at the judges’ discretion, but otherwise please expect to receive only confirmation of your submission status.
 
Please contact the Sony Digital Imaging Team by emailing sonyfilmfestival.SANZ@sony.com if you have any questions about the Film Festival.