The Cairns Underwater Film Festival was a major success. The Saturday evening session had over 500 attendees and the Sunday evening over 200.  This included the “who’s who” of the diving, underwater and video community and political members including Val Schier, Mayor of Cairns.

The “local talent” film section proved very popular with the public and the quality of films was equal to the international films from around the world.  The local talent is world class!

A definite highlight of the evening was the Cairns Underwater Photo Competition award ceremony.  Over 250 images from 35 competitors entered with some entries from as far a field as PNG, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Townsville and of course Port Douglas and Cairns.

The prizes were presented by prominent dive industry personalities Bob Halstead and Mike Ball (International Diving Hall of Fame) as well as Richard Knight, owner manager of Loloata Island Resort PNG.

The event was well covered by the media, The Cairns Post publishing two front page editions and Channel 7 news ran stories on two separate evenings of the 6pm news.

We are looking forward to your support for another success Festival next year.

The winners are:

Best of Show :(Humphead wrasse) Chris Hamilton, Port Douglas – 7 nights dive package Walindi Plantation Resort  PPNG with return flights.

Flora and Fauna Winner  - (Anthias) Vilimone Baleilevuka, Cairns - 7 nights dive package Mike Ball Dive Expeditions.  Flora and fauna Highly Commended: Steffen Binke, Gary Brennand 

Macro Winner: (Shrimp on holothurian) Phil Woodhead, Cairns – 7 nights dive
package Loloata Resort  PPNG with return flights.  Macro Highly Commended: Mark Grey, Steffen Binke. 

Man and the Sea Winner  : (Big-eye trevally and diver) Christopher Guglielmo. PNG  -7 nights dive package Mike Ball Dive Expeditions.  Man and the Sea Highly Commended: Gary Brennand, Chris Hamilton. 

Young Photographer Winner  : (Green Turtle) Jai Miller, Port Douglas -  Compact Camera & Housing plus Dive package Reef trip with Haba Dive