Tropfest

Tropfest, originally known as Tropicana Short Film Festival, is Australias most famous short film festival and is one of the most iconic cultural events. It is also the largest short film festival in the world. Tropfest is recognised for its enormous contribution to the development of the Australian film industry by providing unique platforms for emerging filmmakers through its events and initiatives, and new and expanded audiences for their work. The festivals name is derived from the first years location- The Tropicana Cafe in Darlinghurst, an inner-eastern suburb of Sydney. Created by John Polson, the first festival was held in 1993 with the films projected onto a blank wall and was called the Tropicana Short Film Festival in that first year.

Inspired by the turn out, John decided that a full-fledged short film festival was the next step. The festival itself is an outdoor celebration complete with live music and entertainment on the Gibson Artist Stage, public catering and bars, red carpet arrivals and the highly anticipated film screenings followed by an awards ceremony. The event is hosted at Sydney??™s Domain in the Royal Botanic Gardens, with live satellite links to outdoor locations in Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Brisbane, Hobart, Adelaide and Surfer??™s Paradise. Tropfest is free to attend. The competition is taken very seriously and is considered the winner??™s ticket to a successful career in film or television. What makes a Tropfest Film The Tropfest staff are asked this question almost daily and the only requirements are these: the film must have had no prior public screenings, must be less than seven minutes and must contain the Tropfest Signature Item (TSI).

The TSI was initially introduced to encourage production. Each year filmmakers wait with anticipation for the announcement of the coming festivals TSI. The way I see it, Tropfest is worth everything because it is a spectacular event which showcases all talents of film making at any age and is not to be missed. It is a celebration which brings all Australias together to view the many talents of others and is a fun and enjoyable event to be apart of. My general impression of the Tropfest is that it gives people of all ages to show what they can do. They dont have to be a fmaous director, it can be anyone at all to produce and direct a short film for many people to watch and enjoy. The works selected to be in the finals were a wonderful choice, as all of the films show something different and are all unique in their own way. If you want to know anything about Tropfest their website is where youll find out everything and anything.

It is very informative and helpful. One film which was selected to be in the finals was How God Works directed by Matilda Brown. Matilda Brown was born in 1987. Matilda??™s ambitions as a writer, director and actor make sense considering as far back as she can remember. But it wasn??™t until at 15 years old and cast as the lead in the SBS 50 minute short film, Martha??™s New Coatthat she considered a career in the film industry.

After high school she moved to Melbourne to further her education with a film and television degree at Swinburne University and subsequently enrolled in a professional screenwriting course at RMIT. Matilda is now based in Sydney and works as a writer, director and actor. In How God Works Matilda plays both Nancy and Jane who are sisters. Nancy has it all- the carefree life of an actress and a strong moral stance. Whereas Jane looks like a dyke and works for Telstra. Despite being total opposites both girls love the funny ways in which God works. At the start there is a sound of a car crash and then footsteps of which are Nancy walking into the restuarant.

It is both Nancy and Janes birthdays that night. Nancy is a very rude and mean person. In the film she does things such as argue with the mother, insult the older couple, steal money out of her sisters purse and treats the waiter like his doesnt know anything. When Nancy arrives at the restaurant she insults her sister saying that she looks like she put on weight and gives her Womens Health magazines. Jane then says she needs to go to the restroom. In the rest room their is a poster which says Inside every mouse, there is a lion. Jane then practises lion roars in the mirror and while she is in the bathroom, Nancy is disturbing the customers in the restaurant. When Jane comes out they both order with Nancy dissing what Jane chooses to order.

While they both wait for their meals, nancy goes on insulting her sister. Nancy then takes a piece of Janes prawn nigiri and puts in all in her mouth as a whole. They continue to talk while nancy is trying to eat what is in her mouth and talks at the same time while eating. Nancy then choke son her food and tries to spit it out. She grabs for the glass of water on the table but Jane grabs it as well. Jane gets a hold of it and takes a drink out of it watching while her sister is choking to death.

It is at this part where piano music starts to occur. Jane then pays for the meals and takes back the money that ehr sister stole from her while she was in the bathroom and leaves the restaurant. No one seems to care that Nancy is dead.

In this film there is no other background music, only dialogue. The camera angles used are mostly mid shot but later once Nancy stars choking badly the camera shot shows only her face. What I like about the film was that is was easier to understand than the other films. As this film shows karma always gets you back hence her choking and dying. Nancy is a rude and mean persona nd she deserved it because of what she has done all her life- arguing, insulting and dissing other people. As I have observed from the internet on chat forums and comments on youtube this short film, How God Works, was a big hit to many people. Eighteen years on, Tropfest in Australia is still going strong attracting a live national audience of more than 150, 000 people on a single night.

I would recommend people to attend Tropfest because it is such a spectacular event that it is an opportunity which shouldnt be missed and will be greatly remembered. Michelle Tran YEAR 10 Photography