PENANG, Malaysia, Feb. 15, 2013 (ANTARA/BERNAMA-AsiaNet) --
USD10,000 and five days in Los Angeles for winning short film
Tropfest, the world's largest short film competition, has added Tropfest South East Asia to its international network of filmmakers and film enthusiasts. Tropfest SEA joins the family of Tropfest events in New Zealand, Arabia, and the United States of America (USA), with more to be announced. The winner will receive a five-day industry immersion trip in Los Angeles sponsored by the Motion Picture Association and a USD10,000 cash award from Tropfest SEA.
Residents and citizens of all 11 countries in Southeast Asia are eligible for the competition. Entries should be under seven minutes and can be made with any technique or device. All entries must be premieres (including online) and must include a specific item, known as the Tropfest Signature Item (TSI). The TSI for the inaugural Tropfest SEA is: 'RICE'.
Tropfest began in the early 90's as a small film screening in Sydney, Australia, for the cast and crew of one of John Polson's short films. Tropfest's founder, who is also a filmmaker, director and actor, then decided to make it an annual celebration of short films. Twenty-one years on, the film festival and competition has brought together up to 150,000 people on a single viewing night and thousands of entries by both professional and amateur filmmakers.
"Tropfest Australia, New Zealand, Arabia and the USA have set the standards for us. I am confident that Southeast Asia will contribute very rich perspectives, sentiments and narratives to this international network," said Joe Sidek, Managing Director for Tropfest SEA.
Internationally, the festival has been supported and judged by distinguished industry professionals like George Miller, Naomi Watts, Elijah Wood, Toni Collette, Salma Hayek, Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman, Baz Luhrmann, Ewan McGregor, Darren Aronofsky, Will Smith, Bryan Singer and many others.
"The quality of the films entered each year, in each region, still takes me by surprise. I'm incredibly excited to see the stories that come out of the young and hungry filmmaking minds of Southeast Asia" said John Polson, founder of Tropfest.
Tropfest SEA premieres in Penang, Malaysia with a film symposium, a music festival, and a free-to-attend film screening and festival where the winning entry will be announced.
Leading up to the premiere is a series of workshops and screenings in selected countries. Tropfest SEA also aims to connect with local arts and community partners in represented countries, as well schools, film organisations, and potential corporate sponsors.
In the weeks to come, Tropfest SEA will announce its complete panel of judges from Southeast Asia. The under-18 category for young filmmakers, Trop Jr, is being considered.
Filmmakers are urged to start planning their films and to check Tropfest SEA's website for registration and film submission dates. Visit www.tropfest.com/sea for more information.
ABOUT TROPFEST SOUTHEAST ASIA
Tropfest started out as a film screening event for 200 people in Sydney, Australia. Its founder John Polson, a film director and actor, decided to make it an annual event to promote the production of films, not just exhibition. Today, it commands a live audience of 150,000 viewers in a single night, and receives an average of 700 entries annually. Tropfest is also in New Zealand, Arabia, and the United States of America. The inaugural Tropfest South East Asia 2013 will debut on August 30, 31 and September 1 in George Town, Penang.
NOTE TO THE EDITOR
- A video preview of Tropfest http://bit.ly/Z9VuRs [Youtube.Com]
- Multimedia assets associated with this release http://bit.ly/Z9QMDh [Flickr.Com]
Follow TROPFEST SEA
Facebook: facebook.com/TropfestSEA
Twitter : @TropfestSEA
Youtube : youtube.com/Tropfest
ACCOLADES FOR TROPFEST
"I gotta tell you, I had more fun at Tropfest than I did at the Oscars¿"
- George Miller, Oscar-winning director of 'Happy Feet', Tropfest patron and
judge
"The most dangerous thing about Tropfest (for the film industry anyway) is that it proves that a 7 minute movie can be as entertaining as a 90 minute one."
-Malcolm Gladwell, best-selling author, journalist and Tropfest judge
"This is a cultural experience like I've never had."
- Russell Crowe, actor, Tropfest patron and judge
SOURCE: TROPFEST SOUTH EAST ASIA
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Name : Grace Chin
Communications & Partnerships
Tel : +6019 210 1276 and +604 261 6308
Email: gracechin@tropfestsea.com
Name : Lisa Case
Festival & Business Manager
Tel : +604 261 6308 and +604 261 3061
Email: lisacase@tropfestsea.com
Editor: PR Wire
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
