THE OFFICIAL COMPETITION AND SYDNEY FILM PRIZE

The Sydney Film Prize is awarded to the most “audacious, cutting-edge and courageous” film in the Official Competition line-up. The competition is endorsed by FIAPF, the regulating body for international film festivals, and is judged by a jury of filmmakers and industry professionals. The $60,000 cash prize was presented at SFF’s Closing Night ceremony.

DOCUMENTARY AUSTRALIA AWARD FOR AUSTRALIAN DOCUMENTARY

This award is supported by Documentary Australia with a $10,000 cash prize acknowledging excellence in Australian documentary production. Up to 10 films of any length are selected for the competition, and the jury awards the prize at SFF’s Closing Night ceremony. The winner is Academy Award eligible.

DENDY AWARDS FOR AUSTRALIAN SHORT FILMS

SFF’s prestigious Australian Short Film Awards were established in 1970 and have been sponsored by Dendy Cinemas since 1989. The awards are presented at SFF’s Closing Night ceremony.

The Dendy Live Action Short Award, sponsored by Dendy Cinemas, provides a $7,000 cash prize to the best Australian short film. Winners are Academy Award eligible.

The Rouben Mamoulian Award, sponsored by Dendy Cinemas and named after the director who first presented the award in 1974, provides a $7,000 cash prize to the best Australian short film director.

The Yoram Gross Animation Award, sponsored by Sandra and Guy Gross in memory of the late Yoram Gross, provides a $5,000 cash prize to the best Australian animated short film. Winners are Academy Award eligible.

The AFTRS Craft Award, sponsored by the Australian Film Television and Radio School, provides a $7,000 cash prize for demonstrated excellence by a craft practitioner in an Australian short film.

DEUTSCHE BANK FELLOWSHIP FOR FIRST NATIONS FILM CREATIVES

Established in 2021, the Deutsche Bank Fellowship provides a $20,000 grant to an Australian First Nations film creative to further develop their skills through international placement or other professional development. The 2022 Fellow will be announced during the Festival.

SYDNEY UNESCO CITY OF FILM AWARD

This annual award recognises a trailblazing NSW-based screen practitioner whose work stands for innovation, imagination and high impact. Screen NSW will award a $10,000 cash prize to the winner at SFF’s Closing Night ceremony.

SUSTAINABLE FUTURE AWARD

The Sustainable Future Award is presented in 2021 to a narrative or documentary film of any length that deepens our knowledge and awareness of the impact of the global climate emergency. The director of the film receives a $10,000 cash prize, made possible by a syndicate of passionate climate activists led by Award sponsor, Amanda Maple-Brown. The winner will be announced on SFF Closing Night, 19 June.

All the films shortlisted for the Sustainable Future Award are noted with a green leaf icon:

SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL AUDIENCE AWARDS

The Audience Awards are SFF’s people’s choice awards, and the winners of Best Feature and Best Documentary awards reflect the most popular films at the Festival as voted by you, the audience. The winners will be announced in the week after the Festival.

DINOSAUR DESIGNS

All Sydney Film Festival Award winners are presented with the Festival’s signature mesmeric swirl award, designed and handmade in Sydney by SFF’s partners Louise Olsen and Stephen Ormandy of Dinosaur Designs.

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OFFICIAL JURY PARTNER

PARKROYAL Darling Harbour is proud to be the official home away from home for SFF’s Awards Juries.