Sony Catchlight Film Festival 2025: Online Info Session with Eric Peng
Now in its fifth year, the Sony Catchlight Film Festival returns to celebrate the very best in short-form filmmaking across Australia and New Zealand. Whether you're a seasoned filmmaker or a passionate newcomer, the Catchlight Film Festival champions creativity, originality, and the power of visual storytelling — all brought to life through Sony’s industry-leading digital imaging technology.
To help you craft a compelling and standout submission, join us for an exclusive online information session hosted by Sony Digital Imaging Advocate, Eric Peng.
Eric will walk you through everything you need to know to enter Catchlight 2025, including:
🎬 Entry requirements & how to submit your film
🎬 A breakdown of the 2025 categories – including returning favourites and the unique Cinematic Social category
🎬 Tips on storytelling, shooting with Sony gear, and what makes a submission stand out
🎬 A closer look at the prize packages and professional opportunities on offer
Whether you're entering in Fiction, Non-Fiction, Music Video, Student Fiction, or Cinematic Social — this session is your backstage pass to the Festival.
⚠️ Please note: All opinions expressed by Eric Peng during the session are his own and do not represent the views of the judging panel or the official judging process.
The Sony Catchlight Film Festival 2025 shines a spotlight on short-form storytelling crafted using Sony cameras. With support from Sony Pictures Releasing, Sony Music, Lemac, VA Hire, Videocraft, and Camera Hire, this year’s Festival continues to expand its reach — offering more professional development pathways, exciting new recognition categories, and over $100,000 in prizes and opportunities.
📌 Following the overwhelming success of the revamped prize structure in 2024, the 2025 Festival will continue with:
Separate gear and grant prizes across all major categories
The Cinematic Social category, spotlighting compelling stories made for digital-first platforms
Expanded professional development opportunities, including mentorship sessions and industry collaborations
📅 Entries Open: 12:00 PM AEDT, Thursday 6th March 2025
📅 Entries Close: 11:59 PM AEST, Monday 30th June 2025
📍 Open to: Residents of Australia & New Zealand
🎥 Eligible entries must be shot on Sony cameras
🏆 Category Winners Receive:
$5,000 in Sony Digital Imaging gear
$5,000 Sony product loan
$5,000 creative grant
Industry mentorships, development sessions, or opportunities to collaborate with Sony Music or Sony Pictures
VIP tickets to the 2025 Catchlight Film Festival Awards Ceremony in Sydney
🎞️ Cinematography Laurels: One per category (Fiction, Non-Fiction, Music Video, Cinematic Social)
🎥 Best Sony Lens Work Laurel: $2,500 in Sony lens gear awarded across all submissions
Whether you're filming narrative fiction, capturing real-world stories, producing visual art for music, or exploring social-first formats, this is your moment to shine.
🎟️ Register now and get inspired by Eric Peng as you prepare your Catchlight 2025 submission.
