Understory Film Festival - Cairns

Understory Film Festival - Cairns Cairns' very own locally produced short film festival. The screening event is recommended for ages 15+ .

The Understory Film Festival encourages local independent, student, emerging and professional film makers in the Cairns region to create short films to enter a competition for awards and prizes. The competition culminates the screening of selected films and award presentation at the annual Understory Film Festival held each year. The event will also feature pre-show entertainment provided by local

musicians and a licensed bar will be available. OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the film festival are to showcase local talent, build local industry capacity, award achievement and audience development in short film culture. Creative Life office:
Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre
64 Collins Ave Edge Hill QLD 4870

General Information
Welcome to the official page of Cairns Regional Council. Here you will find recent news, important alerts, photos and events from the Cairns and Mossman/Port Douglas region in Far North Queensland, Australia. If you are looking for an official source of information about Cairns Regional Council, or wish to make a formal enquiry, please visit our website www.cairns.qld.gov.au

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Official correspondence (written, faxed or emailed correspondence sent directly to Council that includes your proper name and address) will be answered promptly and in accordance with Councilโ€™s Correspondence Administration Instruction No.2:02:72. Address 119-145 Spence Street, Cairns, QLD 4870 โ€ข Get Directions
Phone Customer Service - Spence Street Cairns (07) 4044 3044, Front Street Mossman (07) 4099 9444
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23/09/2025

๐Ÿšจ TODAY weโ€™re launching the brand-new Vodcast Series that brings top industry talent straight to YOU! ๐ŸŽฌโœจ

Our kick-off interview features none other than Jonathan M. Shiff, arguably Australiaโ€™s most successful childrenโ€™s TV producer - the genius behind Ocean Girl, H2O: Mermaid Adventures, Bureau of Magical Things, and many more! ๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿงœโ€โ™€๏ธโœจ

Shiff dives deep into his passion for filmmaking and shares this gem:
โ€œThereโ€™s an energy to the creative process in this region that you wonโ€™t get anywhere else. Itโ€™s been very productive to be in such a Jurassic-looking environment.โ€ ๐ŸŒฟ๐ŸŽฅ

This is your front-row seat to hear the stories and insights from one of the industryโ€™s finest - so donโ€™t miss out!

๐Ÿ”” Hit SUBSCRIBE now and be the first to catch every weekly episode:
๐Ÿ‘‰ www.youtube.com/



Tanks Arts Centre
Cairns Regional Council

22/09/2025

๐ŸŽฌ BIG NEWS! Our very first vodcast drops TOMORROW!

ART VS ARTIST: Understory is a is a no-BS vodcast that dives into the raw, technical guts of creative industries.

Hosted by the amazing Jannah Dryden (filmmaker, international award winner, and FNQ Yarner powerhouse), weโ€™re chatting with industry pros who know their stuff and arenโ€™t afraid to spill it.

๐ŸŽฅ Itโ€™s real talk about creativity, craft, and everything in between.

๐Ÿ”” Hit SUBSCRIBE so you donโ€™t miss an episode!
๐Ÿ‘‰ youtube.com/

19/09/2025

Something new is comingโ€ฆ ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ

Understory Film Festival is launching a vodcast series, bringing industry talent straight to you. ๐ŸŽฌ

Each week weโ€™ll sit down with filmmakers, creatives and experts to share stories, ideas and insights from inside the screen industry.

The first episode drops n the Cairns Arts and Culture YouTube page next week ๐Ÿ‘€ Keep an eye out โ€” you wonโ€™t want to miss it!

Hit subscribe now ๐Ÿ”” www.youtube.com/

Tanks Arts Centre
Cairns Regional Council

19/09/2025

๐ŸŽฌ Huge Congrats to the Understory High 2025 Finalists! ๐ŸŽ‰

Our shortlist of 31 incredible student films is here - and theyโ€™re ready to hit the big screen!

Get set for a night bursting with creativity as the regionโ€™s talented high school filmmakers share their stories in front of a live audience.

Join us for the Understory High Screening & Awards Night - itโ€™s going to be a celebration of young film talent!

๐Ÿ“… Fri 10 Oct | ๐Ÿ•– 7pm
๐Ÿ“ Tanks Arts Centre
๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Tickets are limited, so grab yours now: ticketlink.com.au/ticketlinkEvents/films/understory-film-festival-2025

๐Ÿคฉ What a weekend! We loved diving into all the Understory High Film Fest submissions โ€” the passion and creativity from y...
15/09/2025

๐Ÿคฉ What a weekend! We loved diving into all the Understory High Film Fest submissions โ€” the passion and creativity from young filmmakers had us hooked from start to finish.

We canโ€™t wait to announce the shortlist ๐ŸŽ‰ Plus, the Understory Film Festival program is just around the corner, packed with opportunities to learn, connect and celebrate film across the region ๐ŸŽฅ

Thereโ€™s still time to enter Understory Film Festival. Submissions are free, films can be up to 8 minutes long, and entries close 13 Oct ๐Ÿ“…

ENTER NOW ๐Ÿ‘‰ filmfreeway.com/UnderstoryFilmFestival

Tanks Arts Centre
Cairns Regional Council

๐Ÿ™Œ Weโ€™re back! This Sunday weโ€™ll be reviewing Understory High Film Fest submissions, and weโ€™re stoked to share the shortl...
12/09/2025

๐Ÿ™Œ Weโ€™re back! This Sunday weโ€™ll be reviewing Understory High Film Fest submissions, and weโ€™re stoked to share the shortlist next week to celebrate the creativity of emerging filmmakers.

Weโ€™ll also reveal a jam-packed program featuring industry insights, hands-on workshops and film showcases that spotlight the best short films from across the region ๐ŸŒด

For filmmakers over 18, thereโ€™s one month left to enter the main festival.
๐Ÿค‘ It's free to submit
๐ŸŽฌ Films up to 8 minutes long
๐Ÿ“… Submissions close 13 Oct

Donโ€™t miss your chance to see your film on the big screen ๐Ÿ˜

ENTER NOW filmfreeway.com/UnderstoryFilmFestival

Tanks Arts Centre
Cairns Regional Council

๐ŸŽฌ CALLING ALL FILMMAKERS! ๐ŸŽฌEntries are now OPEN for the 2025 Understory Film Festival and Understory High! ๐ŸŒŸWhether you'...
02/06/2025

๐ŸŽฌ CALLING ALL FILMMAKERS! ๐ŸŽฌ
Entries are now OPEN for the 2025 Understory Film Festival and Understory High! ๐ŸŒŸ

Whether you're an emerging talent or a seasoned storyteller, this is your chance to shine on the big screen and celebrate the incredible creative filmmakers of our region. ๐ŸŽฅโœจ

Now in its 12th year, Understory has showcased 205 finalist films, awarded 115 prizes, and continues to be a powerhouse platform for local cinematic talent.

๐Ÿ“ Based in Cairns | ๐ŸŒ Open to regional storytellers
๐ŸŽž๏ธ Submit your film and be part of the legacy!

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Don't wait โ€“ start creating and be a part of the magic.

cairns.qld.gov.au/Understory

๐ŸŒŸ From the tropics to Tinseltown! ๐ŸŒŸWe're thrilled to share that Yarner, one of our Understory alumni, has just hit the i...
16/04/2025

๐ŸŒŸ From the tropics to Tinseltown! ๐ŸŒŸ

We're thrilled to share that Yarner, one of our Understory alumni, has just hit the international stage! Their hilarious FNQ comedy has been officially selected for the HollyShorts Film Festival and is screening in the Primetime slot on May 3rd at LOOK Dine-In Cinemas in Glendale, just a stoneโ€™s throw from Hollywood! ๐ŸŽฌโœจ

Big congratulations to the cast, crew, and investors โ€“ what an incredible journey from local fest fav to international recognition! ๐Ÿ’ซ

We LOVE seeing our Understory winners kick big goals like this! ๐Ÿฅณ๐Ÿ‘

Well hello there HollyShorts Film Festival

Swirl those tea towels SUPER stars, our little FNQ comedy has made the official selection and is screening in the Primetime slot at the HollyShorts Film Festival on May 3rd at the LOOK Dine-In Cinemas in Glendale (it's a suburb over from Hollywood but close enough right!?)

Massive congratulations to the SUPER cast & crew and all of our amazing SUPER investors *so international right now*

What an INCREDIBLE night! Thanks to all 300 of you who braved the weather and made your way to Munro Martin Parklands fo...
25/11/2024

What an INCREDIBLE night! Thanks to all 300 of you who braved the weather and made your way to Munro Martin Parklands for the 11th annual Understory Film Festival.

A MASSIVE congratulations to all of the winners, especially Jannah Dryden & Glenn Saggers who took home both major prizes along with $5000.

What a night ๐Ÿคฉ

Awards:
โœจ Best Film & Peoples Choice: 'Chesters' - Jannah Dryden & Glenn Saggers
โœจ Best Narrative: 'It's Time' - Martha Goddard
โœจ Best Non-Narrative: 'Love' - Tiago Amora Flores
โœจ Best Documentary: 'Tiny Fences' - Braydon Moloney
โœจ Best Animation: 'Why Crocodiles Were Made' - Tamara Pearson
โœจ Best Music Video: 'Goodnight Aurora - The Lonely Sunday' - Joel Deveraux & Grace Jones
โœจ Best Experimental Film: 'Just Beneath The Surface' - Jimmy John Thaiday
โœจ Best Emerging Filmmaker: 'The Stretch' - Pablo Wild
โœจ Highly Commended: 'Doors' - Elleni Geena Adams & Jack Fealy
โœจ Highly Commended: 'Counting' - Kessel Oberman
โœจ Highly Commended: 'Slugging It Out For Science' - Jack Breedon & Harrison Warne

๐—ช๐—ต๐—ฎ๐˜ ๐˜๐—ผ ๐—ฒ๐˜…๐—ฝ๐—ฒ๐—ฐ๐˜ ๐—ง๐—ข๐— ๐—ข๐—ฅ๐—ฅ๐—ข๐—ช ๐—ก๐—œ๐—š๐—›๐—ง ๐—ฎ๐˜ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—จ๐—ป๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜€๐˜๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜† ๐—™๐—ถ๐—น๐—บ ๐—™๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜๐—ถ๐˜ƒ๐—ฎ๐—น - ๐—ฆ๐—ฐ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด & ๐—”๐˜„๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฑ๐˜€๐Ÿคฉ๐—ช๐—›๐—”๐—ง'๐—ฆ ๐—ข๐—ก?๐Ÿ“ฝ๏ธ 19 short films๐ŸŽถ  Live mu...
22/11/2024

๐—ช๐—ต๐—ฎ๐˜ ๐˜๐—ผ ๐—ฒ๐˜…๐—ฝ๐—ฒ๐—ฐ๐˜ ๐—ง๐—ข๐— ๐—ข๐—ฅ๐—ฅ๐—ข๐—ช ๐—ก๐—œ๐—š๐—›๐—ง ๐—ฎ๐˜ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—จ๐—ป๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜€๐˜๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜† ๐—™๐—ถ๐—น๐—บ ๐—™๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜๐—ถ๐˜ƒ๐—ฎ๐—น - ๐—ฆ๐—ฐ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด & ๐—”๐˜„๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฑ๐˜€๐Ÿคฉ

๐—ช๐—›๐—”๐—ง'๐—ฆ ๐—ข๐—ก?
๐Ÿ“ฝ๏ธ 19 short films
๐ŸŽถ Live music from Fingerprint

๐—ช๐—›๐—”๐—ง'๐—ฆ ๐—ง๐—›๐—˜ ๐—™๐—ข๐—ข๐—— & ๐——๐—ฅ๐—œ๐—ก๐—ž ๐—ฆ๐—œ๐—ง๐—–๐—›?
๐ŸŒฏ Greek Street Food Inc.. and Tony's Pizza Cairns
๐Ÿฟ Popcorn + ๐Ÿฆ Ice cream (OF COURSE!)
๐Ÿฅค Full bar
๐Ÿง€ or BYO snacks

๐—ช๐—›๐—”๐—ง ๐—ง๐—œ๐— ๐—˜ ๐——๐—ข๐—˜๐—ฆ ๐—œ๐—ง ๐—ฆ๐—ง๐—”๐—ฅ๐—ง?
โฐ Gates open at 6:30PM for a 7.00PM start

๐—œ๐—ฆ ๐—ง๐—›๐—˜๐—ฅ๐—˜ ๐—ฆ๐—˜๐—”๐—ง๐—œ๐—ก๐—š?
๐Ÿช‘ BYO picnic rugs or chairs (and maybe a brollyโ€ฆ โ˜”๏ธ)

๐—›๐—ข๐—ช ๐——๐—ข๐—˜๐—ฆ ๐—ฉ๐—ข๐—ง๐—œ๐—ก๐—š ๐—ช๐—ข๐—ฅ๐—ž?
๐Ÿ—ณ๏ธ After all the films, you will be asked to submit your choice for the People's Choice Award. The film with the most votes wins $2500!

๐—ฆ๐—œ๐—š๐—ก ๐— ๐—˜ ๐—จ๐—ฃ! ๐—›๐—ข๐—ช ๐——๐—ข ๐—œ ๐—š๐—˜๐—ง ๐—ง๐—œ๐—–๐—ž๐—˜๐—ง๐—ฆ?
Tix are available online from Ticketlink or at the gate.
๐Ÿ‘‰ https://bit.ly/Understory-Film-Festival-2024

๐— ๐—ฒ๐—ฒ๐˜ ๐˜†๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ฟ ๐—จ๐—ป๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜€๐˜๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜† ๐— ๐—–, ๐—๐—ถ๐—บ๐—ถ ๐—•๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ถ! ๐ŸŽค You may know his face from leading roles in the ABC television series The Straits,...
21/11/2024

๐— ๐—ฒ๐—ฒ๐˜ ๐˜†๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ฟ ๐—จ๐—ป๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜€๐˜๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜† ๐— ๐—–, ๐—๐—ถ๐—บ๐—ถ ๐—•๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ถ! ๐ŸŽค

You may know his face from leading roles in the ABC television series The Straits, or as Koiki โ€˜Eddieโ€™ Mabo in the telefeature Mabo (for which he won 'Best Actor' at BOFA Awards). He's also played roles in Redfern Now, Remote Area Nurses, Black Comedy, and Black Snow.

Theatrical plays include the lead role in Jandamarra for Black Swan Theatre Company, Romeo and Juliet for Sydney Theatre Company, and Othello for Queensland Theatre.

Understory Film Festival Screening & Awards:
๐Ÿ—“ 6.30PM, Saturday 23 November
๐Ÿ“ Munro Martin Parklands
โœจ Tix are only $20!
๐ŸŽซ https://bit.ly/Understory-Film-Festival-2024

๐ŸŸ FOOD, glorious food ๐Ÿ˜‹Dinner is sorted at Understory Film Festival this year with food trucks by Greek Street Food Inc....
20/11/2024

๐ŸŸ FOOD, glorious food ๐Ÿ˜‹

Dinner is sorted at Understory Film Festival this year with food trucks by Greek Street Food Inc.. and Tony's Pizza Cairns.

Plus POPCORN and ICE CREAM (what's a film night without ๐Ÿฟ + ๐Ÿฆ ), soft drinks & alcoholic beverages available at our on site bar.

See ya soon ๐Ÿ‘‹
๐Ÿ“Œ Munro Martin Parklands
๐Ÿ—“ Saturday 23 November
๐ŸŽซ Tix on sale now ๐Ÿ‘‰ https://bit.ly/Understory-Film-Festival-2024

Address

Cairns, QLD
4870

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+61740326656

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