Tropfest, the world’s largest short film festival, today unveiled a new partnership with subscription TV channel Movie Extra, part of the Movie Network, which will take the festival to even greater audiences, enhancing the support and growth opportunities for Australian filmmaking talent.
Founder and creative director of Tropfest, John Polson, said, “This new partnership with Movie Extra brings an exciting and significant dimension to Tropfest’s offering to Australian filmmakers and solidifies the long-standing and fruitful relationship we’ve enjoyed with Movie Network Channels.
This will see the festival reach greater heights, providing an even wider platform for emerging filmmaking talent in this country.”
Movie Network Channels CEO, Tony Forrest, said, “This is an exciting partnership that further bonds us as “Tropfest family” – a circle that includes all the supporting organisations that have helped make Tropfest the creativity incubator that it is today.
For Movie Extra, this partnership progresses our joint vision and continued commitment to the emerging creative community, supporting local talent aspiring to produce original film and television.” The seven year sponsorship deal will focus on three core areas: opportunities for filmmakers, event broadcast and national program reach.
“The opportunity to lock our premium brand into a national event of such significance was compelling. We have always been a vocal and demonstrative supporter of film makers in Australia, and we’re thrilled that Movie Extra will be the medium to bring Australia the live national broadcast of Tropfest from next year, allowing this wonderful festival to be enjoyed by a much larger audience than ever before,” said Mr. Forrest.
“Not only will we gain access to Movie Network Channel’s substantial and national audience reach, but the partnership will provide even better opportunities for filmmakers to showcase their work and to be fostered in the development of their concepts for TV and film,” said Mr. Polson.
A live television broadcast, planned for 2009, will enable Australians to experience the festival atmosphere regardless of their location. The broadcast will also include components such as exclusive red carpet highlights, celebrity interviews and screening of all 16 finalist films as well as the awards ceremony.
“This is an amazing opportunity for filmmakers to reach new audiences through Movie Extra. The festival will for the first time come to life in homes, bars and clubs all over the country – making it a truly national event,” continued Mr. Polson.
Additionally, Tropfest filmmakers will also have the opportunity to have their films broadcast on Movie Extra channel in the lead up to the festival and throughout the year.
A long-term festival supporter, Movie Extra funds the Tropfest Feature Program, which saw the production and release of the first Tropfest feature film, the highly acclaimed September, in 2007 with past finalist Peter Carstairs. September was invited to screen at film festivals around the world, including Toronto and Berlin. Movie Extra also commissioned the celebrated television series, Chandon Pictures, from 2006 Tropfest winners, Rob Carlton and Alex Weinress.
[Release by Tropfest & Movie Extra]