Press release from Cardinal Spin
Three high-school students Brodie Clark, Jessie O’Malley and Isabella Sheridan from St Catherine’s Waverly in New South Wales, and Emily Williamson, a student from Queensland’s Mayfield State School are among 14 finalists to be shortlisted for the world’s largest short film festival for kids, by kids – Trop Jr.
Both films were made as part of school drama projects, a trend the festival has seen on the rise, alongside the number of entries which nearly doubled this year.
Organisers say Trop Jr finalists came from all over Australia. Themes of revenge, estrangement and friendship were the main subject matter, compared to last year’s entrants whose films focused around bullying, body image and the environment.
Tropfest’s Founder and Director John Polson says he’s really excited to see an increase in the use of visual effects by the kids entering in 2011.
“There’s been a real and noticeable use of sophisticated and experimental filmmaking techniques in the Trop Jr entries I’ve seen, which really blows me away in terms of how advanced and talented these kids are,” he says.
“From claymation to animations and special effects, these kids have told their unique stories in unusual and experimental ways, which is really exciting."
The 14 Trop Jr Finalists will be competing for some great prizes, including a digital video camera and a special educational and hands on filmmaking experience at the ABC3 film and television production studios; and $1,000 worth of short courses through AFTRS Open Program (The Australian Film, Television and Radio School).
Tropfest is also excited to announce a brand new award category this year – Onitsuka Tiger Award, for fearless filmmaking. In conjunction with new Major Sponsor, footwear and apparel brand Onituska Tiger, this new award will recognise brave and bold filmmaking amongst the 14 Finalists for Trop Jr 2011.
In addition to receiving some great Onitsuka Tiger merchandise, the winner will be commissioned to create a 3-minute short film inspired by the Onitsuka Tiger brand.
The winner will be paired up with a past Tropfest Finalist who will guide and mentor the junior filmmaker through the entire filmmaking process.
Now in its fourth year Trop Jr is a free family friendly picnic-style day out, with screenings at Tropfest live sites in on Sunday 20 February ahead of the main Tropfest event which kicks off with finalist films screening from 7:30pm.
Visit the Tropfest website www.tropfest.com.au for Trop Jr start times at live sites across Australia.
Trop Jr is screened at the following live sites:
Sydney – The Domain
Canberra – Commonwealth Park
Brisbane – Suncorp Piazza
Surfer’s Paradise – Circle on Cavill
State breakdown:
NSW – Brodie Clark, Jessie O’Malley and Isabella Sheridan, Keshava Head, Georgia Whitten, Jo Griffiths, Henriette Tkalec and Meg Milross, Hannah Rae Meegan, Emma Wiltshire.
VIC – Ella Gibson, Yianni Rowlands, Adam McCoy and Elliott Rogers, Gerard Mulvany
QLD – Emily Williamson, Isabelle Heath.
SA – Isabella Rositano