PRESS RELEASE
Tropfest, the world’s largest short film festival, coming to Zimbabwe
The Australian Embassy in Harare is proud to bring Tropfest, the world’s largest short film festival, to Zimbabwe for a free screening at Book Café on Friday 21 March from 18.30 to 20.00.
Tropfest, which had humble beginnings in a local café in Sydney two decades ago, has grown to become the world’s largest short film festival, with competitions in Australia, South East Asia, New Zealand and the Middle East.
Tropfest has become the undisputed launch-pad for filmmaking careers, especially in Australia, where many commercial and critical successes are directed by Tropfest alumni.
“I am proud that Australia is bringing this wonderful film festival to Harare, and know that Zimbabwean audiences will love it as much as Australians and others round the world. I encourage anyone interested in creative, innovative film-making to come down to the Book Café for the screening”, said Australia’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, HE Mr Matthew Neuhaus.
Festival organisers have said they hope to establish an African version of the competition in the future. “The massive expansion of Tropfest around the globe conveys a worldwide appetite for fresh storytelling voices. It is so exciting to have Tropfest travel to Africa. We know that there is an enormous community of storytellers in this region, and we hope to one day establish a local platform for these filmmakers”, said Mr John Polson, Tropfest Founder and Director.
The Managing Director of Tropfest, Mr Michael Laverty, will be present at Tropfest’s premiere in Zimbabwe. On the morning of 21 March he will talk to young film makers and other interested members of the public during a workshop on the organisation of film festivals.
For more information or interview requests with Michael Laverty or Australian Ambassador Matthew Neuhaus, please contact Nora de Roon Hertoge on +263-4-85323555 or [email protected]. For more information about Tropfest, please see: www.tropfest.com