For most of the past few months, any mention of Tropfest has been shortly followed by questions over the short film festival’s financials – or lack thereof. Yet, a financial lifeline was secured, and the fest’s gone ahead in all its glory; tonight though, film buffs couldn’t care less about the nitty-gritty funding requirements, instead choosing to focus on a new crop of upcoming filmmakers.
The whirlwind short beat out fifteen competitors in a decidedly bro-ish field. Judge Simon Baker called out the lack of female leading talent while handing the best actress award to Why Would I Lie?’s Natalie Bassingthwaite; Maya Newell, who also presented the third place award to Rick Donald for The ATM, said the field behind the screen was also missing female direction save for Tay Man’s director (and PEDESTRIAN.TV alum) Angela McCormack.
AngieDir. Hugh ClarkDeaf artist Angie Goto faces her fears to exhibit her work for the first time.Ben’s Filming The MovieDir. Jackson Gallagher‘Hi my name is Benjamin Howard, I am 14 years old, my special interest is back to the future, and I love filming and movies.’DrawcardDir. Antonio Oreña-BarlinThey say a picture tells a thousand words. Sometimes it’s better to keep your mouth shut.HardballDirs. Guy Edmonds & Matt ZeremesTwo dads get more than they bargained for on a playdate with their kids.IdenticalDirs. Brett Nichols & Mark NicholsA unique insight into what it’s like not to be unique.Into The MaelstromDir. John MeredithRadio Birdman exploded into an unsuspecting Sydney music scene in 1974 with a raw, high-energy rock n roll that polarised audiences, only to self-imploded five-years later. In the process they became one of the most evolutionary and influential bands Australia has ever produced.Jeff HardingDirs. Tim Chatfield & Andrew KennedyA former boxer who has battled alcohol addiction reflects on his rise from obscurity to sensationally win Australia’s first light heavyweight boxing championship in 1989.PiñataDir. Bill NorthcottThings go awry at a kids birthday party.Postcards to UlayDir. Tristen Klein & Nick BakerA Tajmeni tail.ShinyDir. Spencer Susser & Daniel Cloud CamposA damsel in distress gets undressed when a man from the midwest puts to rest a world that’s obsessed with the “priceless”, also know as “the shiny”.StellaDir. Kiah Roach-TurnerA funny tale of deception, beer and secrecy between mates.Tay ManDir. Angela McCormackThree Aussie blokes share the same closeted obsession: Taylor Allison Swift.The ATMDir. Rick DonaldA wannabe gangster gets what’s coming when working a ATM!Waste of TimeDirs. Ben Nicholas & Alistair Marks30-year-old John hasn’t left his parents garage in ten years – but today he could… in a time machine.Why Would I Lie?Dir. Lincoln HallA man wakes up in a coffin and hears the voice of his wife outside.Wish You HereDir. Benjamin O’DonnellA lonely zombie desperately craves company in a dead and empty world.
