TropFest: Indie FilmMakers Shot at $10k

Tropfest@Tribeca, created by Tribeca Enterprises and John Polson, founder of Tropfest – the world’s largest short film festival – announced today that 16 finalists will be chosen to compete for the Target Filmmaker Award of an unrestricted cash prize of $10,000 and two round trip tickets on to Australia, home of the original Tropfest, from Qantas Airways and Tourism Australia. Target will present Tropfest@Tribeca on Sunday, September 23, 2007 where the selected films will premiere at a free public outdoor festival, held at the World Financial Center Plaza, alongside the Hudson River. The films will be judged onsite by a jury of well-known actors and filmmakers to be announced at a later date.

Tropfest@Tribeca, as well as Tropfest, is a distinct festival which each year challenges filmmakers to incorporate a new Tropfest Signature Item (TSI) into their submissions. Every year the item changes; this year when Target presents Tropfest@Tribeca the Signature Item will be "SLICE.” In addition to the inclusion of the TSI, films must be seven minutes or under in running time and be making their first public screening. With infinite interpretations, creativity is limitless.

Tropfest@Tribeca is currently accepting submissions to compete for the $10,000 Target Filmmaker Award and trip to Australia through August 10, 2007. Further rules and instructions for submissions can be found at www.tribecafilm.com/tropfest

Tropfest@Tribeca was created in the spirit of the original Australian Tropfest to recognize the critical role that short films play in the art of filmmaking and to offer a platform for emerging filmmakers to create and showcase their films to diverse audiences. Last year’s winner of the first Tropfest@Tribeca, Matthew Bonifacio, went on to premiere his first feature length film, Amexicano, at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival.

"Tropfest@Tribeca has already proved itself as a unique platform for discovering new and original filmmakers,” said John Polson. "Each year I continue to be surprised at the unique – and sometimes bizarre! – ways our entrants interpret the TSI. I’m looking forward to this year’s event and what they’ll do with SLICE!”

"Target is proud to present Tropfest@Tribeca, an evening which will showcase diverse creativity and engage wide audiences,” said Laura Sandall, director, events marketing and publicity, Target. "We strive to make the arts affordable and accessible to communities and are excited to award one independent filmmaker $10,000 to help bring their vision to fruition.”

In its inaugural year, Tropfest@Tribeca 2006 was hosted by The Daily Show’s Ed Helms along with seven judges: Famke Janssen, Naomi Watts, Matt Dillon, Caroline Baron, Charles Randolph, Anthony LaPaglia, and Darren Aronofsky. The winner received a cash award of $2,500 and editing software.