The world’s largest short film festival, TROPFEST AUSTRALIA has been open for submissions from amateurs and pros alike from October this year. The event of the Summer, the festival of short film returns on Saturday 9 February 2019 and we shot some questions through to Tropfest Founder and Director John Polson.
SAG: The beginnings of Tropfest are now legendary. Did you have a long term goal that night in 1993 at the Tropicana Café?
JOHN: Honestly, no! I was a young actor / filmmaker who had made a film for a couple of hundred dollars and needed somewhere to show it — thus began the very first Tropfest (originally called the Tropicana Short Film Festival) back in 1993. 200 people squeezed into the Tropicana Cafe and watched my 10 minute film. The film was average, but the night was extraordinary!
Very soon, Tropfest became about much more than just me and my films — it became a personal passion for many of us about great storytelling. Fast forward to present day, and Tropfest is attracting huge crowds of tens of thousands. Who’d have thought?
SAG: True! One can understand why filmmakers at all levels are drawn to the short format but the audiences for Tropfest are huge … why do you think audiences respond so enthusiastically to short films? Surely it’s not just an attention span thing or a mindset shaped by too many adverts on TV.
JOHN: One of the great things about Tropfest — if you don’t like a film, just wait 7 minutes for the next one. I tell people if they come to Tropfest and don’t like any of the 16 finalists, it probably means they just don’t like films! Each year we screen everything from heartrending stories of war, to inspirational coming-of-agers, to hilariously foul-mouthed animated tales to so much more! People love being able to see such diversity on the big screen — all in the space of a couple of hours!
SAG: And it’s not just the fans. Tropfest attracts a range of interesting industry professionals. Any hints about who we can expect as your guests in 2019?
JOHN: You can expect a renowned film legend heading our Jury in 2019, with plenty of knowledge and experience under their belt. Last year we had Susan Sarandon, and previous years have seen screen luminaries including Julianne Moore, Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber and so many more coming along for a fun night — often from the somewhere on the otherwise of the world! In fact, we’re in discussions now with some of the most exciting names we’ve ever had, announcements coming soon so please stay tuned!
SAG: Ooo.. teaser. Next year’s TSI (Tropfest Signature Item) is ‘Candle’. You didn’t have one the first year and then you went with “Muffin” for 1994. What have been your favourite signature items? Historically, are there any that stand out as having inspired a particularly creative year of offerings?
JOHN: ROSE was superb last year – inspired by the incredible Rose Byrne, who was the Head of Jury the previous year. We screened 16 films, and saw 16 different interpretations of the word! But I’ve loved so many of the TSI’s — “Hug” was a great one. And “Match” and “Pickle”. It’s always stunning to see how filmmakers will interpret even the most simple of items.
We can’t wait to see what they do with CANDLE (Tropfest) and PIZZA (Trop Jr) in February!
SAG: TropJr is my fave each year … not just because it’s held in the cinema where there is air-conditioning! There are other satellite endeavours around the event aren’t there?
JOHN: Absolutely, there’s nothing more inspiring than seeing such creative works from young people with an enormous passion for filmmaking at such a young age.
Also returning will be TropTalks, our ideas and education program, which will feature a stellar line-up of the industry’s leading innovators and creators and is always an incredible day for those wanting to discuss and learn about all aspects of the film and television industries.
SAG: There have been a lot of advantages to the move Parramatta, really close for me, for example!
JOHN: Moving out west has allowed us to showcase these fantastic short films to a brand new audience, who might have never come across us before. Western Sydney is also the cultural heart of the city, so it’s helped attract a wider cross-section of narratives from diverse backgrounds.
SAG: Thank you so much for your time. I’m putting in a request for nice overcast day 9th of February next year.
JOHN: Always appreciated, thank you!
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