Overview
With a little over a week to go before Tropfest turns 25, festival organisers have announced another big change. As well as moving out to Parramatta Park, the world's biggest short film festival is now putting the best seats in the house up for sale.
For $49, the new Pick Your Patch option allows attendees to pre-book a strip of grass and a chair at the otherwise free event. Exorbitant? Perhaps. But Tropfest promises these premium sections are elevated to provide an excellent view of the screen. Pick Your Patch ticketholders are also granted exclusive access to certain bars and the opportunity to purchase gourmet hampers or merchandise.
So how does this affect those who aren't willing to fork out for a patch of grass in a public park? Really not at all. Sure, there'll be more grumbling at the gates about how some animals are more equal than others — but for anyone who's ever donated a few dollars to their favourite podcast or blog, the logic should be clear.
In 2015, Tropfest was pulled back from the financial brink after a series of management shenanigans left it with a funding deficit of several hundred thousand dollars. Since that time, organisers have been looking for a more sustainable business model which has included changing venues and appointing a new board. As far as making sure that the festival survives to foster up-and-coming film talent, surrendering a few hundred front-row seats to Louis XVI and his court doesn't seem that steep a price. Plus, it's a chance for some to support an event that's given more than a couple of Australian filmmakers and actors a leg-up in the past.
Tropfest 2017 will take place on Saturday, February 11 at Parramatta Park. For more info, visit tropfest.org.au.
Image: Attila Szilvasi/Tropfest.