AZDroneFest is a film festival and UAS Expo designed to educate, promote, cultivate and celebrate the art of aerial cinematography in Arizona.  The film festival is dedicated to recognizing the best in aerial cinematography in multiple categories.  Attached to the film festival is an education expo with industry panel discussions, keynote speakers and workshops for commercial drone pilots, drone enthusiasts and aerial cinematographers to attend.  AZDroneFest is owned and organized by USDroneFest, Inc.

2023 WINNERS



 


 






 
 

THE EVENT

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AZDroneFest 2023

Film Festival & UAS Expo
Oct. 7, 2023

9:30am - 3:30pm

Grand Canyon University
3300 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85017

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

  • DRONE DEMO
  • DRONE RACES
  • OBSTACLE COURSE
  • VENDORS

AN INDUSTRY EXPO

VIP TICKET REQUIRED

LEARN FROM THE EXPERTS

  • KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
  • BREAKOUT SESSIONS
  • PANEL DISCUSSIONS
  • TECH DEMO

AN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

FREE EVENT OUTSIDE

WATCH AMAZING FILMS

  • WALK THE RED CARPET
  • MEET THE FILMMAKERS
  • WATCH ALL THE FILMS
  • CELEBRATE THE BEST OF EACH CATEGORY
 
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  • Tim Daugherty
    I was really impressed with the entire event. I was thrilled to have an entry nominated and it was genuinely inspiring to see the other films. Many of them were fantastic! Thanks for all your work putting this together.
    Tim Daugherty
  • JUN PYO HONG
    It is a very good and complete festival. Communication with the management was also good. They successfully prepared and wrapped up the festival. It is a festival that is expected to develop every year. Gather everyone at AZDroneFest!
    JUN PYO HONG
  • Chris Tangey
    Great as usual, family friendly and only going to get bigger and better. Chris and his team are very much Pros and make sure they cover a variety of drone subjects not just film/photography.
    Chris Tangey
  • Tyler Healey
    AZ Drone Fest is growing each year and it's great to see the progress that Chris and the team have made. I appreciated the variety of demonstrations, panels, and video entries. I will be encouraging others to submit and attend next year!
    Tyler Healey
  • Bayley Jordan
    It is wonderful to see how AZ Drone Fest is growing year after year. As an attendee each year, I enjoy every festival and the opportunities to get more involved in the Arizona drone community. The variety in drone demonstrations, panels, and entries is so much fun to see.
    Bayley Jordan
  • Bill Davis
    Great Job! Thank you for all of your hard work to put this on.
    Bill Davis
  • Julien Hudym
    Super Festival, très bonne communication et événement en live vraiment chouette. Malheureusement, l'horaire été complexe pour moi, mais j'ai vraiment apprécié l'ambiance globale et la communication. A l'année prochaine j'espère !
    Julien Hudym
  • Chris Peloquin
    Great festival, and so much great information shared. The films in the festival were great as well!
    Chris Peloquin
  • Craig Murley
    Wow! What an experience. From the first communication to the event and the final Award ceremony - I found this to be friendly, informative and insightful. A great experience even though I could only attend virtually from Switzerland. Bravo!
    Craig Murley
  • Avian Cyclops
    It was really well organized & professional.  The expo, panel, & films were fantastic!  Loved it.
    Avian Cyclops
  • Devon Foster
    I have found no better place for drone filmmakers to showcase their work.
    Devon Foster
  • Devon Foster
    THANK YOU, AZDroneFest! I just started flying drones and have never won an award for it before. AZ DroneFest has truly helped launch my career as a drone pilot and filmmaker.
    Devon Foster
  • Maria Davis
    Very awesome film festival! I'm looking forward to next year!
    Maria Davis
  • Attila Szamosvári
    Thank you AZDrone Fest for choosing my film and organize this amazing festival! :) See you next year!
    Attila Szamosvári

USDroneCast

Tune in every Tuesday for captivating interviews with top drone pilots, cinematographers, and industry leaders from around the world. Whether you're a professional drone pilot, a hobbyist, or simply fascinated by the world of drones, USDroneCast offers valuable insights, inspiring stories, and a platform to stay connected with the ever-evolving drone community.

Join us as we explore the fascinating transformation of music icon Stuart Smith into the founder of The Droning Company.

Stuart, a seasoned musician who has rocked the stage as the former guitarist of the reformed rock band Sweet and now strums the strings with his own group, Heaven & Earth. 🎸🤘

Read More >

 
 

CATEGORIES

 
All films must be 5 minutes in length or less and at least 50% must be shot using a drone or UAV (unless otherwise specified).
Films submitted to the "Narrative category" have no length restrictions and can have less than 50% of its shots being aerial shots. Narrative films will be selected based on aerial cinematography only and will be asked to provide a 5 min or less trailer to be used during the screening.
All entries must be through www.filmfreeway.com
Arizona Scenic Landscape

Arizona

Description: Single film or compilation either featuring Arizona, or from an Arizona filmmaker.

Length: 5 min or less

Entry Fee: $50
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Narrative/Documentary

Description: Single film, fiction or non-fiction

Length: unlimited

Entry Fee: $50

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Landscape

Description: Single film or compilation showcasing nature’s beauty

Length: 5 min or less

Entry Fee: $50

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Showreel

Description: Single film or compilation of clips showcasing your best work.

Length: 5 min or less

Entry Fee: $50

AdvertisingCategory

Advertising

Description: Single advertising spot/news story or compilation of clips from multiple project or stories.

Length: 5 min or less

Entry Fee: $50
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Still Photography

Description: Single still photo taken with a drone

Length: 5 min or less

Entry Fee: $50

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FPV

Description: Single film or compilation of clips using an FPV drone (racing drone)

Length: 5 min or less

Entry Fee: $50

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New Pilot

Description: Honorable Mention to celebrate new up-and-coming drone pilot with no more than 1 year of flying and filming experience.

Length: 5 min or less

Entry Fee: FREE
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Industrial

Description: Single film or compilation of clips used in construction, inspection or other industrial projects

Length: 5 min or less

Entry Fee: $20

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First Responders

Description: Single film or compilation of clips used in any first responders' project (training, inspection...)

Length: 5 min or less

Entry Fee: $10

SAVE $ WITH OUR FILMMAKER BUNDLE

OUR JUDGES

Camilla Dellión

Drone & content creator


Camilla is an exceptional aerial photographer and content creator based in Sweden. Whether filming breathtaking videos or capturing stunning aerial photographs, her work reflects a deep connection with the art of flight
 

Isabelle Nyroth

Yvarbrims consultancy service


Isabelle brings years of experience in international drone operations as a pilot, instructor and consultant. She has operated over 20 types of drones in dozens of countries. She is the founder of Yvarbrims, a drone consulting firm located in Sweden.
 

Matthew Price

11 Loud Productions


Matthew has over 20 years’ experience as a cinematographer, camera operator, and drone pilot working for a vast array of world-renowned brands. Based in the San Francisco Bay area and owner of 11Loud Productions, he is a veteran storyteller who brings creativity and technical know-how to a set.

Maxime Pontoire

Emxpi


Maxime is a professional aerial photographer/cinematographer and drone pilot based in France. He has flown in France, the U.S., and French Polynesia, winning multiple regional awards. When he is not flying he shares his expertise on photo processing, flying techniques, and product reviews on his blog.
 

Merr Watson

Aerial photographer


Merr is an exceptional aerial photographer and visual artist based in Australia. Her talent and dedication have garnered attention from various notable brands, including DJI Global, Beautiful Destinations, Conde Nast Traveler, Qantas Airlines, Commonwealth, and many more.
 

Sandrine Hecq

Aerial Photographer


Sandrine is a talented aerial photographer and digital content creator. She capture beauty around the world from a unique perspective and angle.

Tom Middleton

Lush Films / BBC


Tom has over 15 years experience working in professional multimedia production. Tom is a talented Cinematographer/Director at SMN Films in the UK, and a drone operator for the BBC. He has lectured in film production for Staffordshire and Worcester Universities.
 

Tomas Robres

DroneOfficial


Fueled by the bold creativity of Barcelona and a blend of art, tech, and love for nature. He stands out as a multi-talented creator, and founder of the DroneOfficial Community, a platform collaborating with world's top drone pilots. Drones, design, and speed! That's his game.
 

Travis Petet

Spright


Through his ingenuity and drive to improve the safety, quality and performance of every operation he has been a part of, Travis has earned multiple NBAA Flying Safety Awards, and was a 2017 Top 40 under 40 Next Gen Award recipient.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Eric Legnon

Board Member - Treasurer


Eric is the owner of On Scene Productions, a full service production company in Arizona. As an industry leader who has worked in many different capacities, Eric brings a wide range of experience and expertise.
 

Brandon LeTarte

Board Member


Brandon is an accomplished athlete, and coach. He is currently the women basketball head coach at Sunnyslope High School. Brandon has a demonstrated history of working in the sports industry (managing/recruiting/sales). Skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Coaching, Team Building, Training, and Community Outreach.
 

Theresa Maher

Board Member - Vice President


Theresa is a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She is currently the Managing Partner of Hire Story, a video production company specialized in recruitment videos. Theresa brings years of experience and dedication to the broadcasting industry.

Corey Schubert

Board Member - Secretary


Corey Schubert works in media communications and public relations, and is a former public affairs editor and journalist. He's also the co-producer and co-writer of several short films.
 

Yasmin Tajik

Board Member


Yasmin is a professional photographer and FAA certified drone pilot based in Arizona. She is also a Brand Ambassador for Women Who Drone. Her goal is to inspire and create change by sharing images that document the basic rights we all deserve living on this planet.
 

Chris Tinard

Board Member - President


Chris Tinard is an award-winning video professional with over 16 years of experience in the field. He has traveled to film clients all over the nation and earned a reputation for excellence in storytelling through film.

AZDroneFest 2022

 

2022 WINNERS



 


 



 

 

AZDroneFest 2021

 

2021 WINNERS


Cinematic FPV | A Visual Journey

Director: Danny Mcgee
Country: USA


Bosphorus, Churches and Galata Tower Tour

Director: Yasin Fedakar
Country: Turkey

 

EXPLORATION

Director: Craig Murley
Country: Switzerland


Outback Australia

Director: Chris tangey
Country: Australia

 

Arizona

Director: Todd Mowen
Country: USA


Luminescence ★

Director: Leo Ginailhac
Country: France

 

Hard Hat

Director: Saunders Staley
Country: USA


Southtyrol - Cinematic FPV

Director: Alex Kirchler
Country: Italy


22 Weeks

Director: Robert Smith
Country: USA


Love Letter

Director: Stephanie Marie Morales
Country: USA

 

Sleeping Siren

Director: Devon Foster
Country: USA

2020 WINNERS


Flying Over Switzerland

Director: Danny Mcgee
Country: USA


(Not only) Now it's epic.

Director: Mauro Pagliai
Country: Italy

 

Duality

Director: Craig Murley
Country: Switzerland


Away

Director: Jason Hatfield
Country: USA

 

Arizona Canyoneering

Director: Chris, Jessica Foncannon
Country: USA


Mighty Wings

Director: Chris Peloquin
Country: USA

 

Breathe

Director: Charlie Duncan
Country: USA


Deserted

Director: William Pitts
Country: USA

 

The Moon

Director: Saunders Staley
Country: USA

CONTACT US