By Travis Johnson
The world-renowned Tropfest short film festival today announced it’s heading for a new home in Parramatta.
Director and Tropfest board member George Miller (Mad Max), actor Sam Neill (Hunt for the Wilderpeople), producer Marian Macgowan (Two Hands) and actors Brenton Thwaites (Gods of Egypt) and Tess Haubrich (Wolverine) were present at a media call today when it was announced that Tropfest’s new residency at Parramatta Park will be inaugurated on Saturday, February 11, 2017. Government reps in attendance included Environment and Heritage Minister Mark Speakman, City of Parramatta Council Administrator Amanda Chadwick, Elizabeth Ann Macgregor, the Premier’s Cultural Ambassador for Western Sydney, and Lucy Turnbull, Chair of the Greater Sydney Commission.
Tropfest founder Jon Polson, speaking form the set of the TV series, Elementary, said: “After extensive research and soul-searching, as well as looking to international festivals such as Sundance and Cannes for inspiration, we’ve recognised our desire to have a destination we could fully embrace and call our own. Tropfest needed a fresh base where it can be nurtured, expand, and eventually become a multi event festival. Moving Tropfest to Parramatta also puts us firmly in the geographical heart of Sydney, which is the perfect place for the world’s most exciting and accessible film event.
“The City of Parramatta and Parramatta Park Trust have already demonstrated they are 100% behind helping us ensure Tropfest at Parramatta is a success. Having such vested partners on board enables us to continue our core mission – to provide a platform for Australia’s incredible filmmaking talent, and to celebrate that talent loudly and for all the world to see.
“I can’t wait to introduce the loyal Tropfest audience to our beautiful new venue at Parramatta Park (just a short train ride away!) as well as connect with ever wider audiences at our new home.”
“Bringing Tropfest to Parramatta Park will give the event room to grow and prosper,” Chadwick said. “And will enable a whole new audience to discover the future stars of Australian film. We look forward to welcoming filmmakers and film fans from across Sydney and beyond to our city next February.
Miller noted that “This opportunity to bring the dynamic world of filmmaking to a wider audience is extremely positive. Tropfest offers anyone aspiring to make movies the chance to show their work to 100,000 plus people, to go on to international film festivals and open doors to a career, here and around the globe. This festival is now in its 25th year. The first of its kind in the world, it remains a well-spring of talent and, thanks to the inspirational John Polson, has never lost its unique, grassroots, ‘give it a go’ attitude. A big shout out to Parramatta for recognising this and providing Tropfest a warm new home.”
Entries for Tropfest 2017 open in September, with this year’s Tropfest Signature Item (TSI) being ‘Pineapple’. For more information, head over to the official Tropfest site.
