Sony Teams Up with Cannes Critics’ Week to Support Short Films through the Discovery Prize
Sony and Cannes Critics Week have forged a new partnership, with the Japanese company stepping in to sponsor the €4,000 Discovery Prize for Short Film. This collaboration aligns with Critics Week’s commitment to showcasing emerging talent and innovative storytelling.
The Critics’ Week program, dedicated to first and second films, highlighted 13 short films selected from over 2,300 submissions in 2025. The prestigious Discovery Prize was awarded to L’mina by Randa Maroufi.
In a statement, the company emphasized that supporting the award reflects its long-standing relationship with the film industry, underscoring its dedication to providing tools tailored for cinematographers and filmmakers.
“Supporting Critics’ Week and its Discovery Prize is a natural part of our commitment to encouraging young talent and unleashing the power of stories told through images,” remarked Florence Quintin, Cine & Video Marketing Lead at Sony Europe.
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Previously sponsored by German lens manufacturer Leitz, the prize has celebrated the early works of notable filmmakers, including Juliana Rojas with A Stem, Gitanjali Rao for Printed Rainbow, Jacqueline Lentzou’s Hector Malo: The Last Day of the Year, and João Gonzalez’s Ice Merchants.
The 65th edition of Critics’ Week is set to take place from May 13 to 21, 2026, with the official selection announcement scheduled for April 13.
