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.
AZDroneFest 2021
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
Description: Single film or compilation either featuring Arizona, or from an Arizona filmmaker.
Length: 5 min or less
Entry Fee: $50
Length: 5 min or less
Entry Fee: $50

Narrative/Documentary
Description: Single film, fiction or non-fiction
Length: unlimited
Entry Fee: $50
Length: unlimited
Entry Fee: $50

Landscape
Description: Single film or compilation showcasing nature’s beauty
Length: 5 min or less
Entry Fee: $50
Length: 5 min or less
Entry Fee: $50

Showreel
Description: Single film or compilation of clips showcasing your best work.
Length: 5 min or less
Entry Fee: $50
Length: 5 min or less
Entry Fee: $50

Advertising
Description: Single advertising spot/news story or compilation of clips from multiple project or stories.
Length: 5 min or less
Entry Fee: $50
Length: 5 min or less
Entry Fee: $50

Still Photography
Description: Single still photo taken with a drone
Length: 5 min or less
Entry Fee: $50
Length: 5 min or less
Entry Fee: $50

FPV
Description: Single film or compilation of clips using an FPV drone (racing drone)
Length: 5 min or less
Entry Fee: $50
Length: 5 min or less
Entry Fee: $50

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
Length: 5 min or less
Entry Fee: FREE

Industrial
Description: Single film or compilation of clips used in construction, inspection or other industrial projects
Length: 5 min or less
Entry Fee: $20
Length: 5 min or less
Entry Fee: $20

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
Length: 5 min or less
Entry Fee: $10
CALL FOR ENTRIES
OPEN 06/01/2022
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OUR JUDGES
Elena Buenrostro
Women Who Drone
Elena is a Content Producer, Certified Drone pilot, International Speaker, Actress and Founder of Women Who Drone. In addition to educating, hosting, producing and creating video content, Elena enjoys singing Karaoke, watching sunsets, and of course flying her drone.
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.
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.
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.
JJ Trinidad
Skyecam
JJ Trinidad developed a passion for aerial film making while attaching on-board cameras to a remote controlled aircraft over 15 years ago.
Today Skyecam is a top industry-leading Los Angeles Drone Production Company who specialize in aerial cinematography.
THE EVENT




AZDroneFest 2022
Film Festival & Expo
Fall 2022
Grand Canyon University
3300 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85017
A FREE FAMILY EVENT
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
VIP TICKET REQUIRED / FREE LIVE STREAMING
WATCH AMAZING FILMS
- WALK THE RED CARPET
- MEET THE FILMMAKERS
- WATCH ALL THE FILMS
- CELEBRATE THE BEST OF EACH CATEGORY

Early bird VIP Tickets
$25
- Regular Price: $30
- Access to All Sessions, workshops and panels
- Walk the Red Carpet Meet the filmmakers
- Attend the Film Screening & Award Ceremony

VIRTUAL VIP Tickets
$15
- VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
- Live stream all Sessions, workshops and panels
- See all the outdoors Tech demos






2021 WINNERS

22 Weeks
Director: Robert Smith
Country: USA


Love Letter
Director: Stephanie Marie Morales
Country: USA


Sleeping Siren
Director: Devon Foster
Country: USA

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
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.
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.
2020 WINNERS

The Moon
Director: Saunders Staley
Country: USA
