"Tropfest" 2009

This years 16 Tropfest Short Film Festival Finalists DVD is out free with the 'Sydney Morning Herald' [and possibly other Fairfax papers] today!!

'Tropfest' was started by John Polson and friends at the 'Tropicana Cafe' Darlinghurst, with a street closure and secret celebrity judges. It's been simulcast across the country out of Sydny's Domain Park in February now for many years and expanded into New York.

Each film must be 7 minutes or less and feature that years specified item which is currently 'spring.' Many Tropfest winners have gone on to big things and others pop up in projects all over Aussie TV.

Our local 'Yellow Pages' Directory and Tooheys beer ad veteran produced the film a few years ago about having to choose between his twins so one succeeded in life and is currently on ABC TV in a comedy called 'Chandon Pictures.'

Tropfest is about clever ideas and genuinely has finalists from schmick productions to handycam plain... other bloggers have marvelled at the recent New York winner shot on a phone camera.

Another feature is the use of well known or pop culturally topical actors who will be known to local audiences. It seems to add that indefinable spark to an already clever idea.

This last year a Melbourne crime inspired TV series called 'Underbelly' made a household name of actor Guyton Grantley who features more than once in films this year including a very funny film called 'Being Carl Williams' about him being mistaken for his gangland killer character from the TV show. The unwitting local petty crim is played by the lead actor from Aussie film 'Thunderstruck.'

I have spoken to my newsagent about collecting spares this year again so colleagues not near a Sydney Herald out there could contact me offline to hopefully receive a copy!! I'll post about spares tomorrow!!
The Tropfest 2010 item is 'DICE' for those who want to get started early!!

Running the 'Shorts' competition at Blackstump and several styles of video activity at Youth Groups I reckon they are a great group building exercise and challenge to stretch most groups.

Encouraging worship contributions opens up a whole other area of discipleship and participation.