Sydney’s White Bay Power Station brought the buzz and glamour once again as Sony announced the winners of its fifth annual Catchlight Film Festival. Celebrating the best emerging and established storytellers from Australia and New Zealand, many celebrations were had for those who chose to bring their visions to life through Sony cameras.
From heartfelt dramas to music videos and bold social stories, the 2025 line-up proved just how versatile and inventive local filmmakers continue to be.
This year’s winners are:
- Fiction: What’s Up, Neighbour? (Shot on FX3)
- Non-Fiction: While We Still Have Time (Shot on FX6)
- Music Video: Frankie October – Hazy (Shot on FX3)
- Student Fiction: Longing for a Goodbye (Shot on FX6)
- Cinematic Social: Nothing Lasts Forever (Shot on Alpha 7 IV)
And because great filmmaking isn’t just about the story, Sony also handed out Special Laurels for standout cinematography and technical craft.
- Best Cinematography in Fiction (supported by Lemac Australia): Metamorphosis
- Best Cinematography in Non-Fiction (supported by VA Digital Hire): Born to Hustle
- Best Cinematography in Music Video (supported by Videocraft Australia): Valle – Hold Me
- Best Cinematography in Student Fiction (supported by Atomos): Longing for a Goodbye
- Best Cinematography in Cinematic Social (supported by Camera Hire): Nothing Lasts Forever
- Best Sony Lens Work: What’s Up, Neighbour?
Since launching five years ago, Catchlight has become a proving ground for storytellers using Sony’s Alpha and Cinema Line cameras to push boundaries in narrative, documentary, and music video filmmaking. With over 70 native E-mount lenses and a fleet of mirrorless and cinema options at their disposal, this year’s filmmakers showed just how much artistry can be unlocked with the right tools.
Sony confirmed that Catchlight will return in 2026. Great news for creators and audiences alike, hungry for screen storytelling.
