2021 recap.
Film & Photo Award Winners
Over 100 filmmakers and photographers from all around the globe submitted their work to be considered for nomination by our world-class team of judges. Around 30 films and photos were selected as official nominees for the 2021 Thunderbird Drone Festival and the top submissions in each category were recognized as award winners at our Friday night award show. View the award winning videos and photos below.
Right Up Our Alley - 2021 Thunderbird Drone Festival Best of Show and FPV Category Winner
Drone Disaster - Jaxon Baird - 2021 New Filmmaker Category Winner
Wishing for Winter - Denis Barbascumpa - 2021 Narrative Category Winner
Topmodels 2.0 - Vitaly Golovatyuk - 2021 Sports Category Winner
Only in Oklahoma - Seth Cumming - 2021 Made In Oklahoma Film Category Winner
A Hair Raising Turn at Grimes Canyon - Kara Murphy - 2021 Still Photography Category Winner ***Including Other Nominees***
2021 Scavendrone with AirVūz - OKIE & INTL Category Winners - Jaime Robinson - INTL Person Submission -Jared Avilez - OKIE Person Submission ***Including Other Nominees***
Happiness is not a Destination, It's a way of TRAVEL - 2021 Landscape & Architecture Category Winner
Blue to Orange - James Simpson - Made In Oklahoma Still Photography Category Winner ***Including Other Nominees***
D U A L I T Y - Craig Murley - 2021 Other Category Winner
The Juice - Reme Morales - 2021 Showreel & Commercial Category Winner
The exclusive VIP afterparty.
VIP pass holders, filmmakers, and more had the chance to celebrate the festival together after the film and photo awards show on Friday night. As you can see via tiny whoop drone video, everyone had a great time!
Drones In Industry Q&A Panel and Keynote Speaker
Drones in Industry Panel
Our 2021 industry panel was made up of UAS professionals from around the state of Oklahoma, representing industries in agriculture, education, energy, and film. The panelists also fielded questions from the audience related to drones. A special thank you to Dillon Payne, Richard Kirksey, Thom Monterville, and Joe Hartpence.
Brett Velocovich
Our keynote speaker for 2021 was world-renowned drone expert, best-selling author, and media personality Brett Velocovich. As a frequent guest on major national news outlets, including Fox News and CNN, Brett regularly provides commentary on drone technology trends and national security-related issues. Brett talked about how drones can be used for good around the world.
Sky High Shootout FPV Races
Race Winners
Fesitval Direcor Chris Castor stands next to the 2021 Sky High Shootout race winners. The 15 racers flew 3” tiny whoops through a slalom of gates and obstacles for a chance to be named the Sky High Shootout Champions.
Left to Right: Chris Castor (Festival Director), Joseph Ponce de Leon (2nd), Truc Quach (1st), and Sushan Tripathee (3rd).
The Awards
The winners of the film festival and drone races received these custom laser-cut wooden medals made by Richmond’s Laser Engraving and More (Sharon-Mutual, OK), as well as a cash prize.