Guy Verge Wallace becomes the first person to win first prize in the world’s largest short film festival for kids- by kids!
Sixteen year old Guy Verge Wallace of NSW, has become the first ever winner of Trop Jr – the largest short film festival in the world for kids – by kids.
Guy, who created his entry last year at age 15, won for his film Poor Joshua Verde, about a boy with a tragic childhood who goes on an enchanting adventure that helps him reconnect with his family and use his creative talents. Every film had to contain the Trop Jr Signature Item, or TSI, to be eligible for Trop Jr. The TSI for this was ‘Green.’
‘Thankyou so much, it was one of the most exciting things I’ve been involved with,’ says Guy. ‘I had a great time making the film and I want to thank all my friends and family, my sister Lucinda and my parents. This is amazing!’
Trop Jr featured 8 short films by Australia’s youngest and most talented filmmakers, all under the age of 15. Watched by a crowd of families, fans and film buffs in the Crescent Precinct of Sydney’s Domain, the films featured everything from documentary, to horror, comedy and claymation.
The judging panel included Toni Pearen (Australia’s Funniest Home Videos), James Kerley (Channel V), Justine Clark (Playschool) and the winner of the Sony Foundation Young Talent Award from Sony Tropfest 2007, Jacob Bicknell.
‘We were very impressed with the turnout,’ says John Polson, founder and creative director of Sony Tropfest and Trop Jr. ‘This was our first ever Trop Jr – the incredible range of creativity shown by our young entrants bodes well for the future of Australia’s film industry.’
The awards were as follows:
First Prize
Film: Poor Joshua Verde
Director: Guy Verge Wallace
State: NSW
Prize: First prize includes $500 cash prize, donated by The Australian Children’s Television Foundation, a Sony Hybrid Handycam and a full-day industry tour offered by Kodak including the opportunity to visit post-production facilities and the set of a major feature film in production. In addition, Song Zu is offering the winner a week-long mentor scheme where they will learn about the art of sound design and music for filmmaking.
Second Prize- Runner Up
Film: Besties
Director: Jasmin-Johanna Mobbs
State: NSW
Prize: The runner up receives a $250 cash prize, a Cartoon Network Portable DVD player, a Boomerang picnic box and a place at Metro Screen’s Young Filmmakers Holiday Workshop
[release from Spin Communications]