After several quiet years, one of Australia’s most iconic cultural events is preparing for a much-anticipated comeback. Tropfest organisers have announced that the “HUGE news is landing in JULY.”
In recent weeks, the Instagram page for the festival has been sharing the story behind the festival, how it all began back in 1993.
Founder John Polson also recently posted that “Australia’s most iconic brands are lining up to support our next chapter,” that chapter being “a new Tropfest Australia.”
He asked social media users to share their hopes and dreams for the next Tropfest and started with his own: “Diverse. Inclusive. National (with a heavy rural twist). And yes, global.”
Sounds exciting! Here’s what we know so far about the next chapter of Tropfest.
What is Tropfest?
Tropfest is the world’s largest short film festival, which launched the careers of many in the Australian film industry. Past finalists have gone on to Hollywood careers, and winning films have sparked cult followings.
As previously mentioned, it was founded in Sydney in 1993 by Australian actor and director John Polson. What began as a small screening for friends at the Tropicana Café (hence its name) in Darlinghurst quickly grew into a major international event. Ultimately, it attracted tens of thousands of film lovers each year.
More than just a film competition, the festival has been a launchpad for emerging talent, including actors, directors, and screenwriters.
When is the next Tropfest?
While official dates for the next iteration of the festival are yet to be confirmed, organisers have teased that the event is gearing up for a comeback.
If tradition holds, the festival is likely to return in February 2026. However, the organisers have hinted that this year the festival will be going national. They posted a cryptic post about a “dream… To take Tropfest on the road.”
The post’s caption continued: “Semi-trailer, giant screen. A tour of country towns across Australia. Different town every night. Free (of course, because Tropfest). It’s not real… yet — but we’re working on it. Because Aussie stories belong in every corner of this great country.”
Stay tuned for more updates!
How does Tropfest work?
Each festival, Tropfest challenged filmmakers to create a short film of up to seven minutes, incorporating a Tropfest Signature Item (TSI). This TSI is a small but crucial detail that proves the film was made specifically for that year’s competition. Previous TSIs have included everything from a pineapple to a matchstick. The annual reveal is often a hotly anticipated moment.
The finalists’ films are screened in front of a live audience and a celebrity judging panel, with the winner taking home major industry prizes and national acclaim.
Why has it been on hiatus?
After its last official event in 2019, Tropfest entered a period of dormancy due to financial challenges and changing industry landscapes.
However, organisers appear to be close to announcing what the next vision of the festival will look like.
Watch this space, we will update as soon as we know!
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