Tropfest expands to New Zealand

Tropfest, the world's largest short film festival, will stage its first event in New Zealand this weekend.

Founded in Sydney, Tropfest has developed over the last 20 years into the world's largest short film festival, attracting up to 150,000 people to the open air screenings in Sydney's Domain at the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Tropfest has now expanded internationally to include comeptitions and festivals in New York, Los Vegas and Abu DhAbi as well as New Zealand.

Participants have been asked to make a short film using this year's Tropfest NZ signature item (TSI) - the gumboot.

The films of the 16 finalists will screen on Sunday 27th January at the TSB Bowl of Brooklands, New Plymouth.

The venue opens at 5pm, screenings start at 6:30pm and entry is free.

Alongside the festival, Tropfest NZ will also be presenting Roughcut 2013, a one-day forum for filmmakers.

Established to cultivate outstanding storytelling on screen and to foster a culture of dynamic and creative filmmakers, Roughcut is an intimate day-long series of conversations led by some of New Zealand's leading filmmakers and industry names.

As a part of the symposium Script to Screen presents a 90 minute workshop with writer/director Michael Bennett (Cow, Kerosene Creek, Matariki) on the essential elements of storytelling, remaining true to the core of your idea and how to keep your audience engaged.

Other speakers at Roughcut 2013 include producer John Barnett (Whale Rider, Sione's Wedding), director Katie Wolfe (This is Her, Redemption) and keynote speaker, Tropfest founder/director John Polson.

Roughcut is being held on Saturday 26th January at the TSB Showplace, 92-100 Devon Street West, New Plymouth.

For more information go to www.tropfest.co.nz/