2024’s Sony Catchlight Film Festival awards night was a vibrant celebration of filmmaking talent, held at Sydney’s iconic White Bay Power Station. Now in its fourth year, the festival recognises filmmakers from Australia and New Zealand who tell their stories using Sony cameras. The 2024 edition was nothing short of inspiring, with awards given across five categories and special recognition for outstanding cinematography.
Headlining the night were the fiction and non-fiction category winners. Nick and Nathan Lacey’s Die Bully Die took home the fiction prize, impressing judges with its eerie and suspenseful narrative. The film follows Max, whose long-held grudge against his high school bully begins to manifest in disturbing ways when the two reunite at a fancy restaurant 17 years later. This spine-chilling story was brought to life using Sony CineAlta VENICE and BURANO cameras.
In the non-fiction category, Jones Riley Eli’s DAD captured hearts with its emotional portrayal of three children reflecting on their father’s brain cancer diagnosis. Filmed using Sony Alpha 7S II, Alpha 7S III, and Alpha 1 cameras, DAD stood out for its raw emotional depth and sensitive approach to a family tragedy.
These winning films were just the tip of the iceberg, with other impressive works also receiving accolades. Cameron Zayec’s Queen of Sin, a visually striking music video shot on the Sony FX6, won the Music Video category. The film presents a dramatic scene where male sacrifices are brought before a commanding queen, who exacts her ruthless judgment.
The Student Fiction category was taken by Ormsby Taniora’s The Great South, shot on the Sony FS5. The short film tells the story of two best friends navigating the tough streets of South Auckland in search of a simple bottle of milk, highlighting the challenges and bonds forged in adversity.
Rounding out the major awards was Elliott Sauvage’s Japan – Lost, which won the Cinematic Social category. This beautifully shot travel film, captured on a Sony Alpha 7S III, takes viewers on a whirlwind journey through Japan’s most iconic locations, offering a snapshot of the country’s vibrant culture.
Beyond the main awards, several special laurels were given to honor exceptional cinematography. Micaela Osfield’s For Joan received the award for Best Cinematography in Fiction, supported by Videocraft, while Matt Deavin’s Making Revisions won Best Cinematography in Non-Fiction, supported by VA Hire. Other winners included Bindi in the Dirt by Nick Sullivan for Music Video, When Dogs Go to Heaven by Riti Ramanujachari for Student Fiction, and Ground by Maharaj Krish for Cinematic Social.
Sony Digital Imaging ANZ Head Jun Yoon summed up the spirit of the festival: “The Catchlight Film Festival was born to recognise and reward brilliant filmmakers in Australia and New Zealand who choose to shoot on Sony. This year, we’ve uncovered amazing new talent, and we’re thrilled to celebrate them in such a unique location. It’s been an incredible experience with our finalists, winners, and the larger Sony filmmaking community.”
In addition to the awards, the night coincided with Sony’s inaugural Scene Tradeshow, where attendees could participate in workshops, panel talks, and hands-on demonstrations of the latest Sony products. This blend of celebration and learning provided a unique experience for the filmmaking community, making the 2024 Catchlight Film Festival a memorable event.
Below are the 2024 Catchlight Film Festival Award winners
Fiction Winner
Die Bully Die by Nick and Nathan Lacey
Shot on: Sony CineAlta VENICE and Sony CineAlta BURANO
Non-Fiction Winner
DAD by Jones Riley Eli
Shot on: Sony Alpha 7S II, Sony Alpha 7S III and Sony Alpha 1
Music Video Winner
Queen of Sin by Cameron Zayec
Shot on: Sony FX6
Student Fiction Winner
The Great South by Ormsby Taniora
Shot on: Sony FS5
Cinematic Social Winner
Japan – Lost by Elliott Sauvage
Shot on: Sony Alpha 7S III
Special Laurels judged by Bonnie Elliott
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!
As the festival continues to grow, it remains a crucial platform for uncovering and nurturing new voices in filmmaking done with industry-leading cinema gear from Sony. The Catchlight Film Festival will return in 2025, and filmmakers are encouraged to register their interest for the next edition when the time comes.
For those eager to watch the winning films, they can be viewed here.
