Are you a cinematographer or filmmaker who uses Sony gear to produce the goods?

And by goods we mean, cinematography gold that makes your eyeballs cry with appreciation and your heart flutter with love. If this is you dear friend, then the Catchlight Film Festival is something you’re going to want to know about.

The Catchlight Film Festival is a celebration of the best short-form filmmakers in Australia and New Zealand using Sony gear to capture stories in the great medium of film with a short film competition running as a part of it. If you’re a passionate filmmaker, it’s a no-brainer to enter with some very impressive prizes and opportunities to be mentored by the best in the biz if you win. There are four different categories: Fiction (scripted), Non-Fiction (documentary), Student Fiction and Music Video, meaning just about anyone that has picked up a camera has a shot. Here’s a run-through of what the judges are looking for and what you win for each category:

 Fiction

Fiction film must be original with lighting, camera movement, sound, musical components, visual editing, and cohesive fictional narrative all considered. The Fiction winner will win VIP tickets to the Sony Film Festival, $10 000 worth of Sony digital imaging products, mentoring by Senior Sony Executives and a double pass to attend the AACTA awards (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts).

Non-Fiction Documentary

Non-fiction is any film that is presented as a depiction of real-life events, people, or narratives and can be presented either objectively or subjectively. The Non-Fiction Documentary winner will win VIP tickets to the Sony Film Festival, $10 000 worth of Sony digital imaging products, mentoring by industry professionals including the category judge and a double pass to attend the AACTA awards (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts).

Music Video Winner

A music video is a short film that is shot and edited to a pre-existing piece of music with unrestricted genres allowed including purely instrumental. Judges are looking for cinematic elements such as camera movement, lighting, and editing to support the music. The Music Video winner will win VIP tickets to the Sony Film Festival, $10 000 worth of Sony digital imaging products, the opportunity to work with the Sony Music team and be credited on visual content for a Sony Music emerging artist and a double pass to attend the AACTA awards (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts).

 Student Fiction Winner

The Student Fiction is open to scripted films in which the Director, Cinematographer and Producer were all enrolled in a recognised tertiary education institution during the year it was filmed. The Student Fiction winner will win VIP tickets to the Sony Film Festival and $10 000 worth of Sony digital imaging products.

Each category runner-up will receive VIP tickets to the Sony Film Festival. There is also $2500 worth of rental gear packages courtesy of Videocraft awarded to Special Laurels of each category.

Entries close for submissions at 11:59PM AEST on Sunday, 25 June 2023. Submit your film here.