by James Fletcher

Billed as a celebration of Australian and New Zealand filmmakers, and showcasing films shot using Sony cameras, The Sony Film Festival was initially planned to take place as a live event. However, Covid restrictions had forced the Awards to take place entirely online, live streamed via Sony Australia’s dedicated Youtube channel, with Stenders announcing the runner-up and Award Winners for each of the three categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction and Music Video before hosting a short Q&A with each of the filmmakers.

Having received more than 130 entries across the three categories, the judging panel – comprised of Perter James ACS, ASC (Non-Fiction), Sony Music Australia (Music Video) and acclaimed director of Easy A and Peter Rabbit, Will Gluck (Fiction) – chose three deserving winners, each of whom walked away with bragging rights and a prize package tailored to each category, comprised of mentorships, Sony equipment, screenings and a cash prize of $6,000 per category.

The winners for the 2021 Sony Film Festival are:

Fiction (Scripted)

While The Cats Away…  By Aaron Carroll

While waiting for her beloved Brad to arrive home late from work, Sarah spends her night the only way she knows how. From tedious household chores to spontaneous dance numbers and movie re-enactments in front of the mirror, before finally ending her night with some well-earned pampering. It’s a night of boredom and procrastination, while waiting to give her darling man a late night surprise.

Non-Fiction (non-scripted)

Women Take on Nepal By Tania Verbeeck

The journey of three young, strong, resilient women who have fought the odds of being female in Nepal through their determination to empower other Nepalese women. The film shares the stories of Som Tamang and Susan Devitt, founders of the trekking company ‘Take On Nepal’ and the purpose behind their passion to provide freedom for the girls from Batase village.

Music Video

Dearest Madeline By Peter Tautua

Utilising a song written by R&B artist Pika Ocho, Dearest Madeline tells the story of the artist’s mother, Sina, a migrant from Samoa who settled in Auckland, NZ, to start a new life. Inspired by the true story, this music video is about Sina’s life that was suddenly turned upside down when she realises the husband she loved and adored, reveals himself to be a narcissist and her abuser in a domestic violence relationship.

“I’m blown away by the talented film makers that entered our inaugural Sony Film Festival,” Reveals Jun Yoon, Head of Sony Digital Imaging ANZ, during the opening introductions of the 2021 Sony Film Festival Awards. “The passion and dedication of these story tellers is evident in the work they submitted. Congratulations to everyone who worked on these amazing films and especially to the three winning films and their crew. The Australian & New Zealand film industry is in good hands!”

The final category of the Sony Film Festival, The People’s Choice Awards, announced by Kriv Stenders during the closing of the live streaming event, is now open for the public to vote on, with Sony Australia offering voters the chance to score one of three pairs of the exceptional WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones valued over $600.

All films, including finalists and winners, are available to watch online ( https://cloud.marketing.sony.com.au/Film-Festival-Peoples-Choice ) now. Voting closes October 15.

The Sony Film Festival is set to return in 2022

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