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Tropfest 2010

Tropfest 2010 was held yesterday in Sydney’s Domain. It was the 18th year of the world’s largest short film festival that began in a small café in kings cross but has now become a recognised and global event. The perfect summer day saw crowds reach almost 80 000, baring picnics and inflatable chairs to set up and enjoy some of Australia's finest young filmmaking talent. The VIPs tent was the place to be during the hot afternoon, where you could grab a refreshment and check out some great chic and relaxed Aussie red carpet style. Celebrity guest judges were Elijah Woods and Australian beauty Toni Collette who were joined by a panel of top Australian filmmakers. Amongst the VIP crowd we spotted Baz Luhrmann, Claudia Karvan and celebrated Australian director Warwick Thornton from Samson and Delilah who also later presented a prize. But the real highlight of the night was chatting to the top 16 finalist who, whittled down from a selection of 600 entries, were just excited and amazed to be given an opportunity to show their blood, sweat and tears to the largest audience they could possibly hope for.

This years Winner Abe Forsythe from NSW was overwhelmed with his win after entering the completion every year since he was 16. The young director said “I really do honestly think that Tropfest is responsible for my learning how to make films and my encouragement to keep doing it”. After the show the crowds were a buzz with lively debates over their joys and disagreements with the results. But that’s the great thing about Tropfest, whilst it all comes down to personal opinions it’s being a part of the greater atmosphere and celebration of Aussie filmmaking that is the real joy for filmmakers and public alike.
(Having said that we totally thought the film “One” should have taken best animation!)

For festival details go to www.tropfest.com