AZDroneFest is a film festival and Education 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.
OFFICIAL GUIDE
FILM SCREENING & AWARD CEREMONY
THE EVENT
SAVE THE DATE
AZDroneFest and Education Expo
October 22-24, 2020
(virtual)
2 events in one:
- An International Drone Film Festival with films from 13 different countries competing in 8 different categories
- An Education Expo with expert speakers, workshops and panels designed to provide you with top educational content
Conferences don’t have to be boring! Join us for the 2020 AZDroneFest & Education Expo on October 22-24, 2020. This all-virtual event is the place for anyone who is passionate about drones and cutting-edge technology. Commercial pilots, drone enthusiasts and aerial cinematographers, register today to learn about and celebrate drones. Three days packed with education and networking will wrap up with screenings of the best drone films of 2020.
Planned activities include:
- Licensure course
- Overview of federal rules and regulations
- Technology demonstrations
- Networking sessions
- Workshop on creating high quality shots
- Discussion on the future of drone flights
- Camera training
- Film screenings
OUR SPONSORS
AGENDA
Education Expo
Expo Pass Required
Film Festival
FREE Online Stream
DAY 1
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Hear from experts who have built successful federal, state and commercial drone programs.
Drone Programs
Moderator: Riley Beaman
Speakers: Bryan McKernan, Fred Judson, Ben Spain, Vern Sallee
Drones are great tools for life-saving rescues and emergency response. In addition, the potential of drone delivery is huge, and it is being realized today.
Drones Save Lives
Moderator: Brian Leventhal
Speakers: Derrick Ward, Fritz Reber, Don Redmond, Wayne Baker
From FPV races, to taking pictures on your next trip, or using drones to teach kids about technology, drones are being used in many different fun ways.
We'll discuss Part 135 package delivery, beyond visual line of sight, FAA waiver process
Drone Law & Policy in Commercial Operations
Moderator: Dawn Zoldi
Speakers: Sarah Nilsson, Mary-Caitlin Ray, David-Uriel Ibarra Leach, Ryan Alfonso
DAY 2
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From air traffic management to unmanned traffic management, from traditional aviation to urban air mobility, this is the future of aviation through unmanned systems.
Future of Unmanned Systems
Moderator: Miriam McNabb
Speakers: Don Berchoff, Laurent Huenaerts, Michael Healander, Anna Dietrich
Where are the jobs in the commercial and public safety space. Hear from academia on what is required to be better prepared for this industry.
Drone Jobs - Where's the money?
Moderator: Grant Guillot
Speakers: Adam Cohen, Charles Werner, Sevan Mehrabian, Darshan Divakaran
Learn how fixed wing, rotor wing and VTOL aircrafts are being used in unique applications.
Drone Applications
Moderator: Adrian Doko
Speakers: Christian Stallings, Trent Casi, Troy Hittle, Jeremy Stafford
We'll discuss counter UAS, security, remote ID, privacy and public acceptance.
Drone Law & Policy for Public Safety
Moderator: Dawn Zoldi
Speakers: Ron Leach, David-Uriel Ibarra Leach, Ryan Alfonso
Live Q&A and Drone Discussion with speakers and sponsors
DAY 3
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Camera/Sensor Optimization
Moderator: Chris Tinard
Speakers: Tom Middleton, Todd Mowen
Becoming FAA Part 107 Licensed is a crucial step into flying drones. This workshop will get you on the right track to take your licensing test.
Part 107 Workshop - Unmanned Safety Institute
Presenter: Ken Weeks
Special Screening and Q&A session
with director Ion Sova.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Mignonne Hollis
Executive director Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation
Mignonne graduated from Tombstone Union High School, attended the University of Arizona, and went on to earn her MBA from... Read More
Edgar Valdez
Regulatory Strategy – UPS Flight Forward Inc
Edgar provides strategic guidance to the UPS Flight Forward management team and tactical execution in key regulatory areas of aviation... Read More
Danielle Corbett
Aviation Safety Inspector in the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Office
Danielle leads project teams on the development and implementation of regulations, policy, and guidance for small... Read MoreSPEAKERS DAY 1
Captain Chula Vista Police Department owner of Rekt Drones Founder and CEO of P3 Tech Consulting Owner of OrangeScreen Productions Founder and managing attorney of Nilsson Law, PLLC Chief Revenue Officer, Consortiq Global Los Angeles Fire Department / Director of Public Safety Enterprise UAS Director of the NC Public Safety Drone Academy Director of the Ohio Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Center UAS Program Manager N.C. Department of Transportation Division of Aviation AFS-300 UAS Division Representative at Federal Aviation Administration co-owner of Sunrise Aerial Imaging, LLC Counsel in Crowell & Moring's Aviation Group State Trooper with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol
Don Redmond
Pete Phimphavong
Dawn Zoldi
Chris Tinard
Sarah Nilsson
Bryan McKernan
Derrick Ward
Riley Beaman
Fred Judson
Ben Spain
David-Uriel Ibarra
Kim Reynolds
Mary-Caitlin Ray
Brian Leventhal
SPEAKERS DAY 2
Adam Cohen
Mobility futures Researcher at the UC Berkeley
Adam Cohen is a mobility futures researcher at Innovative Mobility Research Group at the Transportation Sustainability Research Center at UC... Read More
Don Berchoff
CEO of TruWeather Solutions
TruWeather Solutions synthesizes complex weather data sets into simple decision insights for weather sensitive businesses. • Don has 35 years-experience in weather, aviation... Read More
Sevan Mehrabian
Founder Deloitte Consulting LLP.
Sevan is one of the founders and leaders of Deloitte's Drone Services program and currently focused on State and Local drone opportunities and... Read More
Anna Dietrich
Co Executive Director of the Community Air Mobility Initiative (CAMI)
Anna is an industry-recognized leader in the urban air mobility (UAM), eVTOL, and innovative personal aviation industries.... Read More
David-Uriel Ibarra
AFS-300 UAS Division Representative at Federal Aviation Administration
With over 20+ years experience in the national and international Air Carrier, General Aviation, and Repair Station arenas, working... Read More
Christian Stallings
Co-founder & CEO BirdOne LLC
Birdone’s mission is to make tools that empower people to be everyday superheroes by connecting their field and office staff... Read More
Grant Guillot
Partner and UAS Team Leader, Adams and Reese LLP
Grant J. Guillot advises companies that provide drone/unmanned aircraft system (UAS) services, as well as companies operating... Read More
Dawn Zoldi
Founder and CEO of P3 Tech Consulting
Dawn M.K. Zoldi* is a licensed attorney, an U.S. Air Force veteran and founder and CEO of P3 Tech Consulting... Read More
Charles Werner
Director-DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Alliance
Charles Werner is the retired Charlottesville fire chief and 46 year public safety veteran. After retirement, Charles worked with the Virginia Department of... Read More
Ron Leach
Principal of Leach Strategic Partners, LLC
Ron is the Principal of Leach Strategic Partners, LLC and a retired law enforcement professional where he served with the New... Read More
Laurent Huenaerts
General Manager at Unifly Inc.
Laurent Huenaerts holds a Master of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and a Master of Business Administration. Laurent and Unifly provide UAS Traffic... Read More
Darshan Divakaran
Founder and president of Airavat LLC
Darshan Divakaran is a technology evangelist, entrepreneur, aviator and keynote speaker with expertise in unmanned aviation, aviation development, flight operations, airborne... Read More
Michael Healander
President & CEO of Airspace Link, Inc.
Michael Healander is responsible for running all facets of the business. Michael has a proven executive management track record and... Read More
Trent Casi
Key Account Executive at Wingtra- Aerial Robotics
Trent has over 18 years of solutions experience in the geospatial industry. He has most recently supported enterprise geospatial solutions... Read More
Jeremy Stafford
Vice President of Ideal Blasting Inc.
Utilization of Drone Technology, Drone-Borne IEDs & Defense Jeremy has worked within the explosives/blasting industry and EOD/HDS communities for 20+ years (mining,... Read MoreSPEAKERS DAY 3
Kenneth Weeks
Lead flight instructor at the Unmanned Safety Institute
Ken is a part 107 and 61 certified pilot. A graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with over 1,000+ hrs... Read More
Tom Middleton
Director LUSH Films BBC Drone Pilot
Tom has over 15 years experience working in professional multimedia production. Tom is a talented Cinematographer/Director at SMN Films in the... Read More
Jacob Furst
Customer Success and Operations Manager for the Axon Air product
He is also a core team member of the Axon Aid initiative. He began flying drones recreationally... Read More
Chris Tinard
Owner of OrangeScreen Productions
Chris is an award-winning video professional with over 16 years of experience in the field. The complexity and array of his projects –... Read More
Todd Mowen
Founder of Sula Aerials and Chief Pilot
He graduated from the Art Institute of Phoenix with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Animation, which fostered his passion in... Read More
BECOME A SPONSOR
$100
(only 12 available)
- 5 min recorded presentation or promotional video
- Company logo on AZDroneFest & Airavat website
- Company logo on pre-session slideshow
- Company logo on conference online hub
- Company logo on all session downloadable handout
- 1x in-session promotion
- Social Media Promotion on AZDroneFest & Airavat
- 1x Free Expo Full Registration
$250
(only 9 available)
- 10 min recorded presentation or promotional video
- Company logo on AZDroneFest & Airavat website
- Company logo on pre-session slideshow
- Company logo on conference online hub
- Company logo on all session downloadable handout
- 2x in-session promotion
- Social Media Promotion on AZDroneFest & Airavat 1 full ad for 2 months
- 2x Free Expo Full Registration
$500
(only 6 available)
- 15 min recorded presentation or promotional video
- Company logo on AZDroneFest & Airavat website
- Company logo on pre-session slideshow
- Company logo on conference online hub
- Company logo on all session downloadable handout
- 3x in-session promotion
- Social Media Promotion on AZDroneFest & Airavat 2 full ad for 2 months
- 3x Free Expo Full Registration
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
Length: 5 min or less
Entry Fee: $50
Narrative/Documentary
Length: unlimited
Entry Fee: $50
Landscape
Length: 5 min or less
Entry Fee: $50
Showreel
Length: 5 min or less
Entry Fee: $50
News
Length: 5 min or less
Entry Fee: $50
Still Photography
Length: 5 min or less
Entry Fee: $50
FPV
Length: 5 min or less
Entry Fee: $50
New Pilot
Length: 5 min or less
Entry Fee: FREE
OUR JUDGES
Tom Middleton
Lush Films / BBC
Duane Oldham
Buzz Video / 602 Films
Maxime Pontoire
Emxpi
Matthew Price
11 Loud Productions
Yasmin Tajik
Yasmin Tajik Photography
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AZDroneFest is governed by our Board of Directors, a group of volunteers dedicated to our mission
Eric Legnon
Board Member - Treasurer
Brandon LeTarte
Board Member
Theresa Maher
Board Member - Vice President
Yasmin Tajik
Board Member
Chris Tinard
Board Member - President