The Understory Film Festival screening and awards presentation took place in Munro Martin Parklands on 20 November.
From the 46 entries submitted to the festival, 21 films were screened at the festival.
Open to emerging and professional filmmakers from Townsville to Cairns, across Cape York, and the Torres Strait, submissions need to be 8 minutes or less and typical include a vast selection of genres including comedies, documentaries, music videos, animations, and experimental.
The festival provides a platform for local independent, student, emerging and professional filmmakers in North Queensland to compete for experience, screening opportunities, awards and prizes.
This year's entries were judged by CQUniversity lecturer and filmmaker Dr Jan Cattoni, James Cook University lecturer Dr Russell Milledge, and film director Molly Reynolds, who noted the high standard of filmmaking in the region.
Understory Film Festival 2021 winners:
- Best Junior Young Filmmaker: Camryn Dunn for Plate Tectonic Movement by Convection Currents
- Best Senior Young Filmmaker: Corban Earl for A.S.S. (Australian.Secret.Service.)
- Best High School Student Film: Maia Oates for Vox
- Best Emerging Filmmaker: Scott Anderssen for The KURANDA Kronicles
- Best Music Video: Hold Ya by Chelsey Johnston
- Best Animation: Le Grand by Oliver Marsden
- Best Experimental Film: Guilty By Strings by Mathew Currie
- Best Documentary: Chookin' by Jas Shennan
- Best Documentary (in recognition of the Screen Queensland and Screenworks Authentic Program): Naytive by Shontell Ketchell and Ewan Cutler
- Best Fiction Film: I Bought a Second Phone by Mathew Currie
- Best Film: Le Grand by Oliver Marsden
- People's Choice: Avocalypse by Scott Anderssen and Rowan Carroll.
