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TROPFEST 22: CELEBRATING FILM AND A WHOLE LOT MORE

A year of change continues as the new date for Tropfest (in its brand new venue) fast approaches. Sunday 8 December 2013 is just around the corner and Sydney’s Centennial Park is set to play host to an outstanding line-up of highly anticipated film screenings, red carpet glamour, live music and entertainment.

Festival organisers are excited to bring Tropfest back for the second time this year. With a new and expanded venue, more festivalgoers will be able to grab a picnic blanket and a spacious spot on the grass to laugh, cry, jump and revel in the brilliance of great films and unique storytelling.

“We encourage everyone to join us as we bring Tropfest to a new home in Sydney” says Michael Laverty, Tropfest Managing Director. “What better way to launch Sydney’s summer event calendar than with an outdoor celebration of great stories and talented filmmakers?”

The entertainment begins at 11am with Trop Jr, the world’s largest short film festival – for kids, by kids. Running for the seventh time, the festival will screen 16 extraordinary films from filmmakers aged 15 years and younger.

The December 2013 Trop Jr finalists were required to submit a film of seven minutes or less based on the signature item ‘Monster’. Expect a roaring lineup of imaginative shorts with polished special effects, unexpected plotlines and an array of wacky characters and costumes including animal onesies, superheroes, monster trucks and red pandas – to name just a few.

There will be lots of family friendly entertainment, including a live performance of the winning score from APRA Tropscore Jr by 15 year old Alana Patmore. Audiences will also enjoy a live performance from hip-hop group Beats, followed by a hip-hop master-class led by Dance Academy’s Keiynan Lonsdale. Adding to the fun of this free event, all kids are invited to participate in a live improvisation workshop with some of Australia’s best emerging acting talent.

The Tropfest 22 finalist program, based on the signature item ‘Change’, will kick off as the sun goes down and will capture the diversity of filmic expression, offering audiences an eclectic selection of 16 shorts spanning comedy, thriller, drama, documentary and mockumentary genres.

In between the coveted film competition, the Tropfest audience will be entertained by a lineup of eclectic music acts, including Australia’s own Lenka, Papua New Guinean-born soul singer Ngaiire and Australian folk-pop band Jinja Safari – all performing live sets off the back of acclaimed national tours.

Bringing a truly acoustic punch to the musical lineup, Queensland duo Busby Marou will also hit the stage with their mandolins, ukuleles and whistles. Then, just as everyone gets fully settled on the grass, one of Australia’s most exciting artists, hip-hop story teller, Illy, will take the atmosphere to a whole new level.

APRA Tropscore winner, Michael Lira, will also perform his winning score to the short film ‘Apart’, directed by Nick Baker and Tristan Klein. Michael will receive his award from APRA AMCOS Ambassador and celebrated singer/songwriter, Tina Arena, who will also take to the stage for a special performance of tracks from her new album ‘Reset, as well as others from her illustrious career.

While all this is happening on stage with Steve Philp as the event MC, there will be a vast array of entertainment on-ground.

Giving aspiring actors a chance to shine alongside filmmakers on the day, Tropfest’s Official Camera and Lens Partner, Nikon, will be holding auditions for ‘Love Is Now’, the new feature from Eponine Films to be shot entirely on Nikon cameras and Nikkor lenses. Both auditioners and camera enthusiasts who purchase from the Festival’s Nikon Store Pop-Up will go into the running to win one of eight Reid Cycles bikes!

For audiences looking for a bit of downtime amongst the festivities, there will be an abundance of culinary delights and thirst-quenchers up for offer. Crabbie’s Fair will be serving up sample Crabbie’s ginger beer and Crabbie’s flavoured gelato! And with food and drinks stalls from the likes of Miss Peaches, The Vic, and Johnny Wongs, the menu options will remain endless until the night’s end!

Linda Marigliano and Giles Hardie will host the red carpet at 6pm ahead of the film screenings which commence at 8pm.

Then it’s over to broadcast hosts Adam Spencer, Yumi Stynes, and Marc Fennell, who will introduce audiences to the filmmakers and Tropfest‘s panel of industry and celebrity judges.