AceShowbiz - Sony has announced a collaboration with Cannes Critics' Week to sponsor the €4,000 Discovery Prize for Short Film, recognizing emerging filmmakers. This partnership highlights Sony’s ongoing commitment to supporting new talent in the film industry.

Cannes Critics' Week is known for spotlighting first and second films by up-and-coming directors. In its 2025 edition, the section showcased 13 short films, selected from a competitive pool of over 2,300 submissions. The Discovery Prize was awarded to L'mina, directed by Randa Maroufi, celebrating fresh voices in cinema.

Sony emphasized that backing this award aligns with its longstanding relationship with the filmmaking community. The company has developed tools designed by cinematographers, specifically to serve the creative needs of filmmakers around the world.

Florence Quintin, Cine & Video Marketing Lead at Sony Europe, stated, "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."

Previously, the Discovery Prize was sponsored by German lens maker Leitz. The award has a history of recognizing early works from notable filmmakers such as Juliana Rojas (A Stem), Gitanjali Rao (Printed Rainbow), Jacqueline Lentzou (Hector Malo: The Last Day of the Year), and João Gonzalez (Ice Merchants).

The 65th edition of Cannes Critics' Week is scheduled to take place from May 13 to 21, 2026. The selection of films for this upcoming event will be announced on April 13, 2026, continuing the tradition of showcasing innovative and promising cinematic talent.