Weedy Seadragon Film Wins Underwater Awards Australasia 2026

Published 3 weeks agoon September 5, 2026

A heartwarming short film about one of Australia’s most distinctive marine creatures has taken the top prize at the Underwater Awards Australasia 2026.

Dragon, by Kat dos Remedios, was named Best of Show after winning the Reels Showcase category in the third edition of the international underwater imaging competition. Watch here

Hundreds of photographs and videos captured throughout the Australasian region were entered across nine categories, with almost A$70,000 worth of prizes on offer.

Conservation winner: Annika Dahlberg Conservation

Alongside dos Remedios, category winners were Annika Dahlberg (Conservation), Talia Greis (Sydney), Jake Wilton (Australian), Simone Caprodossi (International Waters), Giacomo Marchione (Portfolio), Enrico Somogyi (Smartphone/Action Cam), Qian Kun (Tough TG) and Tom Healy (Only Water).

The winners were revealed during an awards ceremony at the GO Diving Show ANZ in Sydney on 5 September, where finalist images were also displayed as large-format metal prints.

The competition also has a strong conservation element. Half of the proceeds from print sales will be donated to the Australian Marine Conservation Society and Take 3 For The Sea, while all entry fees from the Conservation category will also go to the organisations.

Portfolio winner: Giacomo MarchionePortfolio winner: Giacomo Marchione

Winning images are also set to feature in the 2028 Australian Marine Conservation Society calendar, raising further funds for marine conservation.

The Underwater Awards Australasia is organised by DivePhotoGuide, Underwater Australasia and UW Images.

See all the winning images and videos at UnderwaterAwards.com.

Jane Morgan

Jane’s lifelong love for the ocean began in childhood and has shaped the course of her life and career. After learning to dive in 1991, she spent much of the '90s teaching scuba and working on marine conservation projects in the Philippines and Borneo. A chance encounter with a film camera on a dive trip to Egypt in 2001 ignited a passion for underwater photography, inspiring her to leave the corporate world and pursue a full-time career in dive travel and photojournalism. Since then, her work has been published in a wide range of national and international magazines, books, and newspapers. She has filmed underwater for the BBC, judged major photography competitions, and received numerous accolades—including the prestigious Plongeur d'Or at the Festival Mondial de l'Image Sous-Marine. In 2009, Jane became a freelance photojournalist, and in 2011 completed a BA (Hons) in Marine and Natural History Photography at Falmouth University, where she now works as a Dive Safety Officer. Based in Cornwall, Jane dives locally year-round and is passionate about showcasing the rich marine life found in UK waters. As a proud ambassador for Dynamic Nord and Fathoms Free, she actively supports marine conservation initiatives and advocates for ocean protection through her storytelling. In her newest role with Scubaverse, Jane combines her love of travel, diving, and storytelling—sharing experiences from around the world to inspire others to explore, protect, and connect with the underwater world.