Credit:   Aaron Smith

Over $45,000 in prizes to be won for imagery taken underwater in the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef.

Cairns Underwater Film Festival (CUFF) are launching their 2012 photo and film competition today. Last year the competition attracted local and international attention with its rich prize pool.

The photo competition offers categories to appeal to all underwater photographers: Wide Angle Nature, Macro, Diver in Harmony with the Reef, Creative and Young Photographer. In addition this year there are two dedicated compact camera categories: Wide Angle and Macro and the short film category. An additional award will be given for the image judged ‘Best in show’.

Cairns Underwater Film Festival is a volutneer run, not for profit giving back to the local community, last year we donated over $7000 to the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre (CTRC) and Minke Whale research last year. Money raised from ticket sales, competition entries and raffles all contribute to the money CUFF is able to donate at the end of each festival.

Cairns Underwater Film Festival is now in its 6th successive year. The prize pool is thanks to generous local and international sponsors, who contribute to make the festival what it is.

Cairns Underwater Film Festival is all about celebrating the underwater world and getting out there, enjoying it, minimizing our impact and preserving it for future.