Tropfest Jnr. finalists revealed, unleashing some of the most creative stories ever told!

It’s set to be one of the most creative showcases to date, the prelude to the main event when the ’16 and unders’ category finalists screen their independently produced films  from 4.45pm-6.30pm at Parramatta Park on Saturday 9 February 2019.

“Who better to tell the unique stories of today’s youth, than the youth themselves?” said Filmmaker & Industry Liaison Manager Annie Parnell. “These 16 finalists are well on their way to becoming the future of filmmaking. Although young, these talented filmmakers explore every complicated corner of life growing up today with such incredible artistic and technical flair.”

Each year, submissions must incorporate the signature theme prescribed by Tropfest and the this year’s finalists incorporate “Pizza” into their productions in many imaginative ways.

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Kat Alexander, 15 (Pearl Beach, NSW) has won Trop Jr, the world’s largest short film festival for kids, with her film REWIRE today at Parramatta Park! REWIRE is as a rejection of patriarchal constructs: a Pinocchio story of an android who is inspired by strong female figures throughout history, and breaks free from her hardwiring. . . “Kat’s film is a buoyant exploration of the impact that strong female leader can have on an individual’s own empowerment, all told through the unique lens of our younger generation,” said Filmmaker & Industry Liaison Manager Annie Parnell. “The technical skill and storytelling ability evident in her film rival that of any Tropfest entrant! Kat is truly an example of what Tropfest and Trop Jr are all about – fostering the next incredible generation of Australia’s film industry,” she said. . . Kat is the lucky recipient of a $1,500 cash prize and 12 month Gold Pass courtesy of Event Cinemas; two tickets to the best screen conference for emerging and regional filmmakers, Screen Makers Conference, in Adelaide (SA), including flights and accommodation, thanks to supporter Motion Picture Association and ANZSA; a Western Sydney University Studio package, valued at $12,500; a $500 film course voucher from AFTRS; and a trophy by Dinosaur Designs. . 2nd Plae: Charlotte McLaverty (Bentleigh East, VIC) 3rd Place: Jessica Nipperress (Mudgee, NSW) for Sane. The Hollow cast took out both Best Male Actor (William Kasper, Brisbane QLD) and Best Female Actress (Tyallah Bullock, Brisbane QLD). . . #tropfest #tropfest2019 #tropfestjr #independentfilm #independentfilmmaker #movienight #movies #actor #sydneyactor #screenaustralia #parramattapark #filmfestival #sydneyyouth #screening #westernsydney #fcba #fbas #eventcinemas #fitfam #eventcinemaparramatta #parramattapark #indiegogo #whatsonsydney #cityofparramatta #parramattariver #discoverparramatta #mateburger #westernsydneyfood #fbas #fcba

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Some of this year’s selections react directly to the social media age.

Rewire is Pinocchio with an Artificially Intelligent spin, about a teenage droid inspired by strong women in history to break free;

a gaming addict runs away from home and rediscovers the great outdoors in Reboot;

and a young girl faces the grim consequences of being constantly glued to her phone in Social.

As always, the unique challenges of modern teenage life are a hot issue.

Hollow follows a teenage boy struggling with anorexia;

and Own You is an uplifting call for individuality even if it means going against the grain, asking: pineapple on pizza, why not?

There is no shortage of comedies either.

In SWAT: Fly Removal Services, a boy calls in a crack team of professionals to exterminate the world’s most annoying insect;

a pizza delivery-boy stumbles upon an ancient cult searching for the perfect slice in The Shape of Pizza;

a man is driven to near madness waiting for his date in She Loves Me;

and Hook, Line, and Sinker is a fishy twist on the Boy Who Cried Wolf tale.

All 16 finalists are in the running to take the major prize of $1,500 cash , a 12 month Gold Pass courtesy of Event Cinemas, 2 tickets to the best screen conference for emerging and regional filmmakers, Screen Makers Conference, in Adelaide (SA), including flights and accommodation, thanks to supporter Motion Picture Association and ANZSA; a Western Sydney University Studio package, valued at $12,500; a $500 film course voucher from AFTRS; and a trophy by Dinosaur Designs.

What: Trop Jr 2019
When: Saturday 9 February, 2019, 4:45 – 6:30PM
Where: The Crescent, Parramatta Park, Parramatta NSW 2150
Price: FREE