Press release from Tropfest
Trop Jr, a short film festival for kids, by kids – is calling for entries today. Open to children aged 15 years and younger, it’s a great way for kids to get involved in the creative process of filmmaking.
Entry to Trop Jr is free and can be made online at www.tropjr.com.au. All films in Trop Jr must include a Trop Jr Signature Item (TSI), which for 2010 is DOT. Entries close on Thursday 7 January 2010.
Tropfest Founder and Director, John Polson said, “Trop Jr plays an important role in nurturing the next generation of filmmakers and its great to see more and more kids getting involved. We started Trop Jr in 2008 and with more than 110 films entered last year, Trop Jr has quickly established itself as one of the major film initiatives for children in Australia.”
The Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF) has reaffirmed its commitment to young filmmakers by signing on as the presenting partner of Trop Jr for another three years. ACTF is a founding partner of Trop Jr and it will be using its extensive networks to help drive entries from children right around the country.
ACTF chief executive officer, Jenny Buckland said, “Supporting Trop Jr means such a lot to everyone at the ACTF. Each year we are amazed and delighted by the creativity, sense of humour and sense of drama, that are played out in the finalist entries. The competition is growing as more and more kids get to hear about it and we can’t wait to see what they come up with this year.”
Trop Jr is excited to announce a new broadcast partnership with ABC3, ABC TV’s new, dedicated children’s digital channel. “Australian kids will get an innovative new entertainment experience with ABC3 and this relationship with Trop Jr sits side by side with one of the major planks of the brand’s philosophy – to encourage the creative development of our young people,” says Kim Dalton, Director of Television.
“The combination of the ACTF and ABC3 in reaching young filmmakers and then showcasing their work is very powerful and I’m thrilled to have them both on board,” said John Polson.
“Trop Jr was created to encourage kids to get out there and make films about things important to them,” said John Polson. “The passion these kids show for their filmmaking is really exciting, whether they go solo or do it as a group at school or with a bunch of friends. The quality of entries gets better each year and I can’t wait to see this year’s batch of films.”