Two Port Douglas filmmakers have picked up awards at the 8th Underwater Cairns Film Festival at the Civic Theatre last Saturday.  

With a sold out capacity crowd of around 700 people, the  Festival  presented a pure visual feast of the marvels of the underwater world.

Filmmakers from Far North Queensland and an increasing number of international entries vied for the attention of the audience and a share of the $70,000 prizes.

With a record 400 entries for the photographic competition alone, the Festival is making headway as the foremost Festival for Underwater film and photography in the country.  

With a larger number of films submitted from overseas its pull is now extending to attract world-wide recognition also.

By the end of the night $25,000 was raised for the three charities supported by the event.

Jennie Gilbert with The Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre,  Alistair Birtles with the JCU Minke Whale research and Heidi Taylor with Tangaroa Blue.

Alistair commented how Cairns and Port Douglas were the only places in the world where Dwarf Minke Whales could be seen so we have a most unique natural inheritance to protect.

Heidi with Tangaroa Blue does much for collection and prevention of Marine Debris with many clean ups carried out in Cape York,  Cape Tribulation and Low Isles and is a driving force in raising awareness nationally and internationally.

Two Port Douglas locals picked up coveted prizes with Jai Miller winning Young Photographer section and Adam Cropp as Runner Up in the Raw Takes Category.

Local film maker Jenna Rumney submitted a beautiful film showing the diversity of the water activities around Port Douglas and the sheer beauty of the environs where we live, which you can view here.

Jenna's film was viewed as a finalist by a sold-out crowd at the Cairns Civic Theatre.

The Awards were hosted by Emmy award winning cinematographer Richard Fitzpatrick with Jamie Seymour, jellyfish and venomous animal researcher.

Jenna and no doubt many of the 700 attendees are now cleaning their lenses and preparing their equipment for the 9th Underwater Film Festival after such an inspiring event.