EMBARGOED - Sony announces 2024 Catchlight Film Festival winners

NEWS UNDER EMBARGO until Saturday 28 September 2024 at 10:01pm (Sydney-time)

Sony has announced the winners of the fourth annual Catchlight Film Festival, which recognises filmmakers from Australia and New Zealand that have chosen to tell their stories with a Sony camera. The 2024 Catchlight Film Festival judges, (Fiction) Mark Wareham, ACS, (Non-Fiction) Professor Rachel Landers, (Music Video) Sony Music, (Student Fiction) Simeon Bryan, and (Cinematic Social) Sony Australia, chose the five winning films from the remarkable finalist films in this year's line-up. 

Jun Yoon, Head of Sony Digital Imaging ANZ commented, "The Catchlight Film Festival was born to recognise and reward the brilliant filmmakers in Australia and New Zealand who choose to shoot on Sony. In our fourth year, we continue to uncover amazing new talent who are so gifted in telling stories that move people. We are very lucky this year to celebrate all our finalists and winners at the

the iconic White Bay Power Station in Sydney. Through a takeover of this incredibly unique location, we have also celebrated our 9th annual Alpha Awards (our photography competition), and to top it off, we will also have our inaugural open-to-the-public Tradeshow for our community to enjoy workshops and panel talks from over 30 creators and get hands-on with products at live demonstrations and experiences."

Watch all the winning and finalist films here. 

Fiction Winner 

Die Bully Die by Nick & Nathan Lacey

Shot on: Sony CineAlta VENICE & Sony CineAlta BURANO

Max meets his high-school bully, Adam, 17 years later, in a fancy restaurant where Max's grudge against Adam begins to manifest in horrific ways.

Non-Fiction Winner

DAD by Jones Riley Eli

Shot on: Sony Alpha 7S II, Sony Alpha 7S III & Sony Alpha 1

A documentary featuring three children who talk about a family tragedy - when their dad was diagnosed with brain cancer.

Music Video Winner

Queen of Sin by Cameron Zayec

Shot on: Sony FX6

Queen of Sin sits on a throne as guards bring in male sacrifices. One at a time the men present their offerings, hopefully in exchange for freedom. They bow down, then suffer her mighty fury.

Student Fiction Winner

The Great South by Ormsby Taniora

Shot on: Sony FS5

Two best friends must navigate the tough streets of South Auckland to buy a bottle of milk.

Cinematic Social Winner

Japan - Lost by Elliott Sauvage

Shot on: Sony Alpha 7S III

From Shinjuku to Shibuya, Kamakochi to Kyoto, this (very very) short film captures the essence of our 2 week long trip getting around Japan in the Summer of 2024. What a beautiful place - we will be back.

Special Laurels judged by Bonnie Elliott, ACS

Best Cinematography in Fiction, supported by Videocraft

For Joan by Micaela Osfield

Best Cinematography in Non-Fiction, supported by VA Hire

Making Revisions by Matt Deavin

Best Cinematography in Music Video, supported by Lemac

Bindi in the Dirt by Nick Sullivan

Best Cinematography in Student Fiction, supported by Atomos

When Dogs Go To Heaven by Riti Ramanujachari

Best Cinematography in Cinematic Social, supported by Southern Cross Cameras

Ground by Maharaj Krish!

Best Sony Lens Work

Sing Sings - Keepers of the culture by Arango Guerrero Mateo!

The Catchlight Film Festival will return in 2025. Please register your interest here. 

The winners were announced on Saturday 28 September 2024 during the inaugural Scene Tradeshow event held in Sydney. This ticketed event takes place over two days where attendees have the opportunity to get hands on with the latest Sony cameras, lenses and accessories. Taking place on the Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 of September at the White Bay Power Station in Rozelle, Sydney attendees will be inspired by industry experts through a curated selection of talks, panels and masterclasses. On display at the Scene Tradeshow will be a printed artist gallery of all finalists in the 2024 Alpha Awards, and a screening of the shortlisted films for Sony's short film competition, Catchlight Film Festival. Sony's Scene Tradeshow is a photography, film making and content creators expo event and is not one to miss. https://sony.com.au/scene-tradeshow 

Ends

About Sony digital imaging range: Sony is an innovator and leader in imaging technology with the widest range of mirrorless cameras and lenses in Australia for both photography and filmmaking. The Alpha mirrorless system gives you an unmatched choice of creative options.

About Sony Corporation

Sony Corporation is a creative entertainment company with a solid foundation of technology. From game and network services to music, pictures, electronics, image sensors and financial services - Sony's purpose is to fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology. For more information, visit: http://www.sony.net/.

About Sony Australia: Sony Australia Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Sony Corporation of Japan, and a leading manufacturer of audio, video, communications and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. Committed to producing innovative and quality electronic products, the range includes BRAVIA TVs, Alpha digital interchangeable lens cameras and Cyber-shot digital cameras, headphones, Walkman MP3 players and other audio products, and professional broadcast equipment. For more information on Sony Australia, visit www.sony.com.au.

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