Mike Ball Dive Expeditions

Cairns Underwater Film Festival and Cairns Underwater Photo Competition

The Cairns Underwater Film Festival is screening 8 of the winners of the 36th World Festival of Underwater Films direct from Marseille, France. Considered the benchmark of underwater films, this international festival attracts more than 25,000 general public visitors during 4 days of exhibitions and viewings and includes 900 competitors from over 50 nations. It is the most prestigious celebration of underwater art, movies, videos, photos, slideshows, music, paintings, drawings, books etc…

The Cairns Underwater Film Festival will delight those who love to explore remote and new Underwater Worlds. We are bringing 8 awarded films (detailed program later) from various nations and will also screen a selection of short movies from local talent.
Over 2 hours of entertainment at the Cairns Civic Theatre, Saturday 7th of August.  Read more.

The Cairns Underwater Film Festival is now in its 4th year and is growing in popularity.  This year, a new and exciting addition to the successful Festival will be the Cairns Underwater Photo Competition, here are the details...

Competition categories are:

• Macro
• Fauna & Flora
• Man & the Sea 
• Young photographer
• There will also be a Jury’s award for Best in Show.

Prizes include:

• 2 x 7 night Coral Sea Safaris with Mike Ball Dive Expeditions
• 7 night package at Walindi Dive Resort Papua New Guinea
• 7 night package at Loloata Island Resort Papua New Guinea
• Haba Dive reef and dive package to the Great Barrier Reef
• Camera, housing and equipment donated by Innovations Australia and Tabata/Tusa.

Deadline for Entry is 30th June 2010. Winners will be announced Saturday 7th August 2010 at the Cairns Civic Theatre during the Underwater Film Festival. 
 

Item 1 - GENERAL RULES (click to download pdf)

1.    This competition is open to all underwater photographers of all skill levels.
2.    The photos must have been taken underwater (over-unders accepted.)
3.    The photos must have been taken within the last two years in Far North Queensland waters.
4.    Marine life should never be stressed or endangered for the sake of a photo. Conservation rules will apply to all entries. Entries suspected of exhibiting the following behaviour will be disqualified:
  a.    Divers visibly damaging the environment.
  b.    Animals with signs of stress (e.g. puffed puffers, inking octopus).
  c.    Animals moved to an unnatural environment or risky location.
5.    All submitted photos must have been taken by the entrant.
6.    Only photos in digital format are accepted. (High resolution JPEG)
7.    A photo must be entered in one of the four (4) categories: MACRO, FAUNA & FLORA, MAN & THE SEA, YOUNG PHOTGRAPHER (16 years and under).
8.    A maximum of three (3) photos are allowed per category.
9.    Using the same photo in more than one category is prohibited.
10.    The jury is composed of independent professional underwater photographers.
11.    The jury’s decision is final.
12.    Participation in the Cairns Underwater Photo Competition implies acceptance of all conditions set by the guidelines
13.    A prize will be awarded to the winner of each category. Prizes include: two 7 night Coral Sea Safaris with Mike Ball Dive Expeditions; a 7 night package at Walindi Dive Resort Papua New Guinea; a 7 night package at Loloata  Island Resort PNG and dive trips to the Great Barrier Reef.
14.    Prizes are non transferable or redeemed as cash.
15.    Winners will be announced on the night of the Cairns Underwater Film Festival held at the Cairns Civic Theatre Saturday 7th August 2010.
16.    Finalists will be contacted late July 2010 and invited to attend the awards at the Cairns Civic Theatre Saturday 7th August 2010 @ 7.30pm.
17.    Winning photos of each category will be screened at the Festival..

Item 2 - REGISTRATION (click to download pdf)

1.    Payment of registration and entries must be received by 30th June 2010.
2.    Registration fee of AUD$20 must be paid by direct bank transfer
  Account name: Botella        Bank: Bendigo   BSB: 633 000            Account number: 124289240  Message reference: Your name
   *All international entries contact organisers for payment options.  Organisers contact: info [at] botella [dot] com [dot] au
3.    After payment for your entry, photos must be mailed in a package providing suitable protection.
4.    Any package that requires the payment of a fee upon delivery will be refused.
5.    Photos must be copied onto a disc (CD or DVD) and mailed with the completed entry form (signed and dated) to the following address
  Cairns Underwater Photo Competition
  PO Box 6293
  Cairns QLD 4870   Australia
6.    The entrants name must be clearly printed or written on the disc containing the photos.
7.    The photos digital file must be renamed using the following format: Name of entrant_category_photo number.  For example:
  John Citizen_MACRO_1
  John Citizen_MACRO_2
  John Citizen_FAUNA FLORA_1
  John Citizen_MAN SEA_1
  (Which are 4 photos entered by John Citizen.)
8.    The organisers are not responsible for any loss or damage of the files. Do not send originals. The disc containing the photos will not be returned.
9.    The photographer agrees that their photos can be used in association with the promotion of the Cairns Underwater Photo Competition only and no other purpose. When used for promotional purposes the photographers name will be mentioned.
10.    Photographers retain all copyrights to their images
11.    This is a non profit competition. Anyone interested in purchasing a photo will be redirected to the photographer.
12.    No photos can be sold or given without the written consent of the owner.
 

Item 3 - ENTRY FORM (click to download pdf)