Indian Filmmakers Named in Sony Future Filmmaker Awards List

The Sony Future Filmmaker Awards announced today the 2025 winners during a special ceremony hosted by Emmy-award winner Denny Director (Entertainment Tonight). The third edition of these global awards were held in the iconic Sony Pictures Studios Scenic Arts Building in Culver City, celebrating emerging visionaries, amplifying bold storytelling from different corners of the world. Among the standout talents recognized this year were Indian filmmakers Riah Taipodia and Muhammed Ashfaque. Riah Taipodia was shortlisted in the Non-Fiction category for her work, Khiew Ranei (Black Clay). In the Student category, Muhammed Ashfaque was shortlisted for his film URA, representing the K R Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts.

Chosen for their exceptional work from a pool of over 11,750 film submissions by more than 7,500 filmmakers representing 158 countries and territories, the 2025 Sony Future Filmmaker Awards winners were: Rossana Montoya (Colombia, Fiction), Juliet Klottrup (United Kingdom, Non-Fiction), Santiago O’Ryan & José Navarro (Chile, Animation), and Hayder Hoozeer & Franz Böhm (United Kingdom/ Germany, Student).

The jury comprised prominent industry leaders, including filmmaker and writer Minhal Baig (We Grown Now, Hala, BoJack Horseman); Elizabeth Gabler, President of 3000 Pictures (Where the Crawdads Sing, upcoming Klara and the Sun, Life of Pi); Academy Award®-nominated director Jason Reitman (Saturday Night, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Juno); and award-winning filmmaker Justin Chadwick (Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, The Other Boleyn Girl, upcoming Sierra Madre), who served as Chair of the Jury. Together, they evaluated creative excellence and innovative storytelling to select the winners from a distinguished shortlist.

The Sony Future Filmmaker Awards jury shared their collective admiration for this year’s winners and shortlisted filmmakers: “It is truly exciting to look towards the future of filmmaking through the eyes of this incredible group of winners. As new custodians of the craft, each of them brings a particular vision that challenges the status quo as well as breathing new life into the stories we tell. The Sony Future Filmmaker Awards are not only about recognizing this talent — they’re about supporting and empowering those who will shape the industry for years to come, and we are eager to see how they continue to redefine the cinematic landscape.”

The Awards aim to inspire, equip, and empower the next generation of filmmakers at a crucial stage in their creative journeys. As part of their prize, this year’s winners—along with the wider shortlist across all four categories—took part in an immersive four-day industry program held at Sony Pictures Studios from June 2–5, 2025, culminating in the official Awards ceremony.

The program featured a thoughtfully curated line up of workshops led by Sony Pictures executives, film screenings, and exclusive behind-the-scenes access. Participants gained deeper insight into the filmmaking process, refined their skills, and built valuable connections with industry leaders and fellow creators from around the world. Topics included cinematography masterclasses, screenwriting, navigating talent agreements, innovative technology demonstrations, and the art of scoring a film. In addition to the professional development experience, the four winners also received cash prizes and Sony Digital Imaging equipment.

The winners of the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards 2025 are:

FICTION

The Fiction category rewards narrative-led submissions that convey an original fictional story or event. The category winner receives Sony Digital Imaging equipment and a $5,000 (USD) cash prize. In the Fiction category, the winner was presented by Jason Reitman, Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker and Sony Future Filmmaker Awards 2025 jury member:

●      Rossana Montoya (Colombia), My Demon – As they race to the hospital for the imminent birth of their first child, Eva and Jacobo clash over their relationship. Shot in a single 17-minute take, the film infuses the raw emotional intensity of two on-screen characters into this intimate narrative.

NON-FICTION

The Non-Fiction category awards short films that are predominantly factual in content. These can include archive footage, documentary footage, reenactments and animation. The category winner receives Sony Digital Imaging equipment and a $5,000 (USD) cash prize. In the Non-Fiction category, the winner was presented by Elizabeth Gabler, President, 3000 Pictures and Sony Future Filmmaker Awards 2025 jury member:

●      Juliet Klottrup (UK), Travelling Home – An English Romany Traveller reflects on his heritage and the annual pilgrimage to Appleby Fair. Shot on 16mm film, the analogue texture enhances the film’s exploration of time, tradition, and belonging, reflecting Klottrup’s collaborative approach with local communities and her visual artistry focused on rural identity.

ANIMATION

The Animation category embraces filmmakers using stop-motion, motion graphics, computer animation, drawn-on-film, rotoscoping, experimental animation, and additional available techniques. The category winner receives Sony Sony Digital Imaging equipment and a $5,000 (USD) cash prize. In the Animation category, the winner was presented by Minhal Baig, filmmaker, writer, and Sony Future Filmmaker Awards 2025 jury member:

●      Santiago O’Ryan & José Navarro (Chile), Hermanos Casablanca (Casablanca Brothers) – At the height of the Pinochet dictatorship, two divers agree to help an army official in the hope of receiving information on their missing sister in return. The film employs engaging visual storytelling and a muted and dark colour palette to evoke a sense of loss, uncertainty and danger.

STUDENT

The Student category rewards filmmakers studying a film course at a registered institution at a diploma or degree level worldwide. The category winner and their institution each receive Sony Digital Imaging equipment. In the Student category, the winner was presented by Tatsuhito Tabuchi, Head of New Contents Creation Business Unit, Sony Corporation:

●      Hayder Hoozeer (UK) & Franz Böhm (Germany), The National Film & Television School, Rock Paper Scissors – Based on a true story, a father and son in a warzone hospital face life-or-death choices as their hideout becomes increasingly compromised. Their direction uses stark color contrasts and claustrophobic settings to heighten the film’s emotional impact, supporting the actors’ powerful performances.

2025 WINNERS & SHORTLIST