Tropfest 2016

Overview

It's an understatement to say it's been a stressful time for Australia's beloved short film festival Tropfest. After being cancelled due to alleged financial mismanagement in November, the iconic Tropfest short film festival was been thrown a much needed lifeline in December. On the very day that the festival was originally meant to take place, Tropfest founder John Polson has announced the event will instead be held on Valentine's Day next year, after securing a last minute sponsorship deal with CGU Insurance.

Back from the dead, Tropfest will triumphantly return to Sydney's Centennial Parklands on Valentine's Day. A star-studded panel of Australian screen talent will help choose the winners. Actors Simon Baker and Rebecca Gibney will join The Dressmaker director Jocelyn Moorhouse and Moulin Rouge! cinematographer Don McAlpine as judges at the world's largest short film festival.

The panel of local actors and filmmakers, along with several other judges set to be announced in the coming days, will decide which of 16 short filmmakers takes home the festival's top prize, which includes $10,000 cash, a trip to Hollywood to meet with industry executives, a Nikon D800 digital camera along with $2000 worth of accessories, and a Hyundai Tuscon for a year. The festival also revealed its live music slate, featuring rock duo Winterbourne, DJ and singer KLP and The Preatures' vocalist Gideon Bensen.

Last week, Polson announced that he had started a Pozible campaign to help ensure the festival remains free, although it has so far only raised a fraction of its intended $100,000 target.

Tropfest will take place on February 14 in Centennial Parklands, with gates opening from 3pm. It will be broadcast around the country from 9pm AEDT.