The fourth annual Sony Future Filmmaker Awards has revealed the filmmakers who will comprise the competition’s jury panel.

Golden Globe-nominated director and producer Will Gluck (Anyone But You, Peter Rabbit, Easy A), producer and President of Film and Television at Pascal Pictures, Rachel O’Connor (Challengers, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Little Women), animation co-director Adam Rosette (The Wild Robot, Orion and the Dark, upcoming GOAT) will make up the jury, with award-winning director Justin Chadwick (Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, The Other Boleyn Girl, upcoming Sierra Madre), returns for the fourth year as jury chair.

The competition, which takes place June 8-11, 2026, is established by Creo in partnership with Sony to celebrate new voices creating short films. Shortlisted creators win a trip to Los Angeles to attend an exclusive industry program of sessions, masterclasses, screenings and workshops. Creators will also get an opportunity to make connections with industry leaders. Free for everyone, submissions can be sent into the competition until Dec. 16 at sonyfuturefilmmakerawards.com.

Here’s more about what winners can expect to experience:

This year’s shortlisted filmmakers will be announced on April 30, 2026, and flown to Los Angeles for the four-day program at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City from June 8—11, 2026. Led by Sony Pictures executives, these sessions invite the filmmakers to learn more about essential aspects of the industry; from production, to navigating talent deals, and the studio’s film acquisition process, through to working with publicists, animation techniques, and the art of soundtracking a story, as well as cutting-edge technology demonstrations. The program is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to connect with industry leaders and fellow creators from around the world, becoming part of a dynamic network of international filmmakers. The event culminates in a gala ceremony on June 11, 2026, where the category winners will be unveiled and awarded a range of cash prizes and Sony Digital Imaging equipment.

Filmmakers can submit short films in Fiction, Non-Fiction, Animation, Student and Future Format categories. Future Format submissions must be shorts specifically created for 9:16 aspect ratio vertical viewing. A filmmaker will also win the Sustainability Prize created by Creo and Sony to spotlight a short film “that creatively communicates how themes of environment, accessibility, diversity, equality and inclusion can encourage us to act together to ensure a positive future for the planet.”

Chadwick said in a statement that he and the jury are excited to find new filmmakers who are ready to add their transformative voices to Hollywood.

“The shortlist last year brought together 30 exceptional filmmakers whose distinctive voices and compelling narratives earned them a place at the beating heart of Los Angeles’ creative community, giving them unprecedented access to how cinema is evolving in real time,” he said. “We have a remarkable jury line-up this year, and I speak for us all when I say that we’re searching for films that challenge conventions, spark genuine emotion, and transform how audiences perceive the world around them. As we head into the 2026 edition, we’re eager to discover that kernel of originality and vision that elevates good filmmaking into something extraordinary.”