Entries Open for AACTA Pitch: Focus with Sony

AACTA PITCH FOCUS: IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SONY RETURNS FOR A FIFTH YEAR!

The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA), in partnership with Sony, announced entries open for AACTA Pitch: Focus. Now in its fifth year, this national short film production and development initiative is a unique opportunity for Australian student filmmakers to kickstart their careers, gain industry recognition, and bring their bold ideas to life.

Each year, AACTA Pitch: Focus receives innovative and diverse pitches from students across Australia, showcasing the creativity emerging from film schools and institutions nationwide. Previous recipients have produced AACTA nominated and film festival winning short films, and used the program as a launchpad, building valuable industry connections and taking steps towards their professional careers.

The top five teams will receive state-of-the-art Sony equipment kit on loan, valued at over $2,500, to shoot a short proof of concept, with the recipient of AACTA Pitch: Focus to receive a $15,000 production fund and $20,000 worth of exceptional Sony camera equipment on loan.

This year's panel of esteemed mentor judges includes Nicholas Colla and Katie Amos, with more to be announced:

Nicholas Colla, Director and Co-Founder of LateNite Films, is a producer of film, television & digital content, working across both live action and animation.Nick’s producing credits include The Wizards of Aus featuring Guy Pearce (SBS),The Legend of Burnout Barry (ABC), AACTA nominated Rebooted, and the recently released Deadbeat Enda Meet, from renowned comic artist Evie Hilliar.

Katie Amos, an AACTA Award-winning producer of 2025 Best Short Film winner Gorgo, and Head of Australian Production at Made Up Stories. Her previous credits include Nine Perfect Strangers, Thor: Love and Thunder, Hacksaw Ridge, The Water Diviner, Redesign My Brain, Hotel Mumbai, Ghosthunter, Lambs of God, and The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart. Amos joined Made Up Stories as a creative and production executive at the end of 2022 before stepping up to producer/head of production for Australia in 2024.

“Sony is proud to once again support the AACTA PITCH: Focus initiative to offer a platform for emerging filmmakers who are studying at a university, their first opportunity to pitch a project and have that concept vetted by industry professionals.

This initiative aims to bridge that challenging first step from university student to working filmmaker, and we look forward to seeing the exciting concepts for Australia's next generation of filmmakers.” Nick Rowe, Community & Partnerships Manager ANZ

AACTA Pitch: Focus are looking for projects that feature the following:

• Innovative, creative, and unique approaches to engage audiences

• Strong, compelling characters that resonate 

• Ideas that push boundaries, bend genres and break new ground

For the first round, teams will create a three-minute video pitch outlining their concept for a short film. The judging panel of industry figures and representatives of Sony and AACTA will then determine a longlist of 10 projects who will be asked to submit additional pitching materials to support their project. Teams can include directors, writers, producers, editors and/or cinematographers, with at least one team member currently engaging in film or screen studies. 

The five finalists will be selected by the panel, and they will then be provided with Sony equipment and given four weeks to shoot a proof of concept short. These finalists will be invited to present their films in front of the judging panel to determine the recipient. 

AACTA Awards and Industry Development Manager, Ivan Vukusic said “A couple of our recent recipients are about to drop their short films and I cannot wait for the world to see them. There is such a depth to the young talent coming out of our uni’s and I know that we’ll see the same this year. 

If you’re just starting your film school journey and have a great idea, or if you are in your final year and working on your grad film, simply pitch us your idea and we will help make it happen and get your film in front of audiences and you in front of the industry”.

AACTA welcomes all new, emerging and student filmmakers and content creators to enter AACTA Pitch: Focus, and encourages concepts from teams from diverse and under-represented backgrounds. Entry fees are $50 for teams with at least one AACTA member and $90 for teams comprised of non-members. For more information on AACTA membership, click here.

Entries close 9am AEST, Monday 18 August 2025. For full eligibility requirements and to enter, click here.