Press release
Trop Jr – the world’s largest short film festival for kids, by kids – is inviting young filmmakers to unleash their creativity on the big screen.
Entries for the junior Tropfest open this Tuesday 12 October giving filmmakers aged 15 years and under an opportunity to show off their
talents and walk the red carpet for the first time.
There are great prizes up for grabs this year including a digital video camera, educational filmmaking experiences and fame! Trop Jr
finalists will have their short films screened at the Domain in Sydney ahead of the iconic Movie Extra Tropfest event on Sunday 20
February 2011. Trop Jr and Tropfest have become major drawcards for film lovers across the nation, attracting hundreds of thousands
of fans every year.
Entries close on 6 January and kids can enter online at www.tropjr.com.au. To be eligible, young filmmakers will have to create a film
that is no longer than seven minutes, as well as feature the Trop Jr Signature Item for 2011 – FAN.
Tropfest Founder and Director, John Polson says, “We created Trop Jr in 2008 to encourage the next generation of filmmakers to get
out there and make new films each year, about things important to them.”
“From around 80 entries in our first festival, Trop Jr attracted 180 entries last year so it’s now firmly established as one of Australia’s most
popular filmmaking initiatives for kids.”
Last year Peter Richardson & Josh Raish’s short ‘Every Coin Has Two Sides’ beat 13 other finalists wowing audiences across Sydney,
Melbourne, Canberra, Surfers Paradise and Brisbane. Richardson says, “Trop Jr was an awesome experience for us. We had so much
fun with cinematography, film is such a great way to express yourself, and we learned so much.”
“Trop Jr is about encouraging kids to make new short films every year, to explore their creative talents as a school group or with friends,
get experience, and to shine amongst peers, and industry influencers as finalists,” says Polson. “The quality of entries have been pretty
amazing over the years, and I’m gearing up for some great films this year,” he says.
The Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF), the founding Presenting Partner of Trop Jr, is again providing invaluable
support to the festival.
ACTF Chief Executive Officer, Jenny Buckland says, the ACTF is delighted to join forces with Tropfest to present Trop Jr once again.
“We are anticipating lots of laughs, some tears and a few gasps when the finalist films are unveiled in February. The creativity of our
youngest filmmakers is always inspiring."
ABC3, ABC TV’s dedicated children’s digital channel, is also on board again as the Major Media Partner and will be providing some great
prizes for the winner.