Tropfest 2013

Overview

Tropfest is entering its 21st year with a lot to brag about. The grassroots short film festival that started in a Darlinghurst cafe now has thousands of loyal fans in Sydney alone, a reputation that knows few geographical boundaries, and famous friends including Toni Collette, Baz Luhrmann, and Geoffrey Rush. But it's still at heart a generous wee thing, its main two goals being (a) launch the careers of our most talented budding filmmakers, and (b) give around 150,000 Sydneysiders a big old free night of live entertainment, good company, sophisticated boozing, and really great short cinema.

This year the 16 finalists have been selected from 700 entries. Each film must in some way include 2013's signature theme 'balloon', but that and the running times are about where the similarities end. This year filmmakers are really reciprocating the love to Tropfest, venturing to far-flung and dangerous locations (settings include a mental asylum and cartel territory in the Mexican desert) and tackling the most vexed of issues. Matt Bird takes on tasers, while Tim Blackburn and Lyndal Moody join forces to chew on a more long-standing bone of contention —  the monobrow.

Other entries include Katie Wall's soap-within-a-movie short Scene 16, Daniel Reisinger's CA$H COW — A 63% True Story (with guest appearances from Mel and Kochie) and Tropfest third-timer Topher Field's The Hustler. You can also expect to see animation and documentary sitting alongside the omnipresent comedies and dramas.

Proper cinephiles will recognise more than a few names from the full list of finalists, but there are plenty of rookies going up for the big prizes too. An interesting fact to note is that five of the 16 finalists shot their films on DSLRs, hence the Nikon DSLR Film category introduced this year. It's amazing what standard technology can do when it's taken beyond the 'auto' button.

This year's winner will drive away in a 2012 Toyota Corolla Levin ZR (provided they can see over the $10,000 cash money it's stuffed with), take home the latest Nikon D800 plus $2000 of lenses and accessories, and rub shoulders with cinematic royalty during a week of meetings in LA.

Gates open at 11am on screening day, so get in early to secure a spot. From 3 to 6pm there'll be live music from Round the Corner, Meg Mac, Clubfeet, and the winner of Tropscore, with red carpet arrivals rolling in straight after. And if you don't like live entertainment, a communal atmosphere, or 4 Pines brews, SBS will be screening the festival on free-to-air TV at 8.30pm.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=FiOWbemZuoU