The Thunderbird Drone Festival is Back for Year #5!

We are excited to announce that the 5th Annual Thunderbird Drone Festival is set to return to Tulsa, Oklahoma, with Oklahoma State University's Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education (OAIRE) now leading festival production!

Mark your calendars for October 10-11, 2025, as we take over the OSU Tulsa Conference Center for two days of drone innovation, creativity, and excitement.

Here's what to expect:
Day 1: Drone filmmakers and photographers from around the world will compete in a global showcase of aerial creativity, with winners celebrated at a VIP after-party and drone light show.

Day 2: Experience engaging seminars, interactive panels, and cutting-edge tech demonstrations. Plus, the always exciting Sky-High Shootout FPV Drone Races are back, putting speed and skill on full display.

This milestone year promises to be the festival's biggest yet as we continue celebrating drone innovation right here in Tulsa.

Stay tuned - more updates coming soon.

Venue: OSU Tulsa Conference Center
700 N Greenwood Ave Tulsa, OK 74106

Awards & Prizes

Film Festival categories include:
- Landscape & Architecture
- Sports
- Showreel & Commercial
- FPV
- Still Photography
• Nature
• Architecture
- Narrative, Dronie, & More Other
- Oklahoma
• Still
• Film
- First-Time Filmmaker
- Students Ages 7-12
- Students Ages 13-18
- Best In Show

Rules & Terms

***Please ensure that you adhere to all local drone laws and regulations while participating in the Thunderbird Drone Festival. All drone pilots should operate their drones safely. The Thunderbird Drone Festival is not responsible for ensuring that pilots comply with their local drone laws.***

Submissions are now open and will close on August 23rd, 2024. Festival selections will be announced on or around September 9th, 2024. All entrants will be posted on our website, social media pages, and by email. If selected, exhibition format digital files will be requested from the filmmakers.

RULES:
Films must be 5 minutes in length or less (unless otherwise specified) and a majority of the footage must be shot using a drone or UAV (at least 50%).
All "Showreel & Commercial" entries must be 3 minutes or less (unless an exception is made).
All "Dronie" submissions must be less than 1 minute (unless an exception is made).
Submissions to the film festival must be made through FilmFreeway. The Festival Director reserves the right to make exceptions as needed.

LEGAL:
By submitting your project to the 2024 Thunderbird Drone Festival, you and anyone associated with the submitted project agree to the following terms:

- You authorize your project to be exhibited at the Thunderbird Drone Festival.
- You accept full legal responsibility for the intellectual property contained within your project.
- Your project does not infringe on any trademark, agreement, copyright, artistic, personal, civil, privacy, or moral rights of any person, firm, corporation, or association.
- In the event of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, or loss of or damage to the submitted videos or photos, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Thunderbird Drone Festival from and against any resulting claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney’s fees and court costs).
- Festival directors reserve the right to include or exclude films or photos as they see fit to keep the festival family-friendly.
- Festival directors reserve the right to adjust categories, the number of selected submissions, and the like in order to adhere to the schedule and confines of the festival.
- You authorize the use of your name, likeness, and submitted work in any promotion of the Thunderbird Drone Festival.
9 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Amy Mains

    Proud to have been nominated to TDF in the photography category for four of the five years this festival has been operating. They do an incredible job with the film festival, after event party, awesome drone light show, have fun activities, and knowledgeable speakers. One of my favorite years was having Larry K Hill Gallery showcase our photos at his studio then again at the convention center in the hallway at the event. Photography is often a minimal part of the film festival (many film categories) so it made it an even better experience for us. Thanks TDF for all you do!

    March 2026
    Helpful
  • Chris Tangey

    It was OK, not much in the communication department though

    September 2023
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Hey Chris! Congratulations on your nomination! The crowd at our festival loved your work!

    Thanks for your review. Please bear with us as we grow. We are a team of only two people with full-time jobs and we just recently added a third person for this year. We have clearly posted when we open for submissions and submission deadlines and have announced nominees and winners in a timely manner. But we know we have room to get better. Would you be so kind as to elaborate specifically on where we lack in the communication department so our team can address it in the future? Thanks again for submitting your work and thanks for the review!

  • Mark Royer

    An exceptional experience at the Thunderbird Drone Festival! The caliber of films showcased was nothing short of remarkable, with Friday's viewing session being meticulously curated. Day two transitioned into an informative drone-focused day, featuring representatives from the FAA, Air Force, drone vendors, and OK Film dept. Furthermore, it was delightful to see engaging activities tailored for children and those young at heart. The breakout sessions were thought-provoking, complemented by expert panelists. But what truly set this festival apart was the warmth and efficiency of the organizers. Their prompt communication coupled with a genuinely welcoming atmosphere felt like being embraced by a close-knit family. Despite the long distance from our home base, we're eagerly anticipating our return. It's unequivocally worth the journey!

    September 2023
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for the kind review, Mark! It was a pleasure to meet your family! Thank you so much for driving 12 hours to attend our event!

  • Taylor Henderson

    Loved everything about this festival! It was a lot of fun to attend and there were lots of festivities planned around the awards show. If you’re into drone footage it’s definitely worth attending/submitting!

    August 2022
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks, Taylor!

  • Naude Heunis

    It was a such an honor to have been a part of this festival and bring home a win. Thank you to the organizers for putting the whole thing together!

    August 2022
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks, Naude!