By Travis Johnson

Tropfest will return on Saturday, February 17, 2018 to Parramatta Park, it has been announced, with this year’s signature item being “rose”. Entries open on October 15 and close on January 11.

This year, the world’s biggest short film festival has a special focus on diversity and representation, expanding on last year’s successful bid for gender parity in entries, which was achieved by the simple expedient of taking entrants names off their films.

“In 2017 Tropfest achieved gender equality for the first time ever, with 50% of the Festival finalists made by female filmmakers. This year, Tropfest will strive to further increase inclusivity, welcoming support from the NSW Government through Multicultural NSW to encourage culturally diverse filmmakers to submit their stories,” said Tropfest Founder and Director John Polson.

“Australia is one of the most multicultural countries on Earth, which makes for some unique perspectives.  We are calling for diverse stories from filmmakers of all backgrounds to showcase in the heart of Parramatta, Western Sydney – one of Australia’s most ethnically vibrant communities.”

As is tradition, Tropfest is open to all comers, with only a few caveats: films must be seven minutes or under, and must include, in some form, this year’s Tropfest Signature Item (TSI), the aforementioned “Rose”. How the TSI is interpreted is up to the filmmakers.

The tsunami of entrants will be winnowed down to 16 finalists, whose films will premiere live in front of tens of thousands of people, and broadcast to an even bigger home audience.

Prizes will be announced soon.

For more info, point your browser at the official Tropfest site.

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