The sidney prize is a literary award for short fiction by an Australian writer that examines the notion of travel in a creative and imaginative way. The prize is open to all writers, at any stage in their careers, nationally and internationally. The winning entry will be published in Overland, as well as receiving a $5000 cash prize. Two runners-up will each receive $250.

The prize is named after the late Professor Neilma Sidney Gantner, a senior lecturer in English at Auckland University College, from 1912 to 1947. It is intended to stimulate research in Old and Middle English literature, but may also be awarded for work of merit in other areas of English studies. The prize is funded by subscriptions from students, colleagues and friends of Professor Ardern and the family of his late brother, Dr Sheldon Louis Wagman ’51.

Dr Julia Bryant is an ARC Future Fellow and Director of the University of Sydney node for the ARC Centre of Excellence in All Sky Astrophysics (ASTRO-3D). She is planning to use the SOAR Prize to implement hardware and software developments needed to perform time-critical early data releases from Hector, which is part of the Australian National University’s Square Kilometre Array telescope.

Professor Ben Carey is a composer, improviser and electronic musician. He uses modular synthesisers and develops interactive music software to explore musical interactivity, generativity and the delicate dance between human and machine agency in composition and performance. He is a core member of the experimental music group, The Weirdos.

All Sydney Film Festival award winners are presented with the festival’s signature mesmeric swirl, designed and handmade in Sydney by Louise Olsen and Stephen Ormandy of Dinosaur Designs. Each swirl is unique, reflecting the individual style and imagination of each winner.

The Event Cinemas Rising Talent Award recognises an emerging NSW-based film creative working in short film with a cash prize of $7,000. This award is open to film directors and screenwriters who have had no more than five short film credits. The 2024 award was won by Bridget Morrison for her film Say.