Understory High Film Festival

Four years of putting Far North Queensland students on a cinema screen.

First launched in 2023, Understory High is a dedicated platform for young storytellers, offering high school students the chance to share their vision and imagination through film. The inaugural event featured an inspiring mix of short films that reflected the diverse voices of our region’s talented youth.

In 2024, Tiago Amora Flores won at Understory High with LOVE. The same film went on to take Best Non-Narrative at the flagship Understory Film Festival that November. Winning films from this year's shortlist screen there too.

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Artist Opportunities is Council's mailing list for creatives across Cairns: calls for entry, grants, workshops and programs, including Understory entry dates.

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🥁 The 2026 shortlist is in.

On Friday 9 October, the region’s high school filmmakers and animators walk a red carpet at Tank 5, watch their films screen in front of a live audience, and find out who takes home a trophy.

Award categories are judged by working screen industry professionals. Winning films go on to screen at the flagship Understory Film Festival in November, and the full shortlist tours regional Far North Queensland from December.

Every young filmmaker has someone behind them. The parent who listened to the idea for the hundredth time. The teacher who said keep going. The friend who helped with a scene. This is the night the whole support crew shows up.

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The Understory High 2025

The 2025 Understory High Screening & Awards occurred on Friday 10 October at Tanks Arts Centre, where the shortlisted films lit up the big screen. It was a vibrant evening of creativity as the region’s high school filmmakers showcase their stories to a live audience.