Tropfest New Zealand Announces New Partnership

Tropfest New Zealand Announces New Partnership

Tropfest New Zealand has today announced an exciting new partnership with Wellington’s Avalon Film & Television Studios for the 2016 festival.

Tropfest will include a new category to the 2016 award line-up, the “Studio Award” sponsored by Avalon Film & Television Studios who will be offering up a $10,000 studio package to one of the lucky Tropfest finalist filmmakers.

Suzanne Porter, Tropfest NZ CEO, said she was thrilled to include Avalon Studios among Tropfest’s growing list of sponsors.

“We are thrilled to announce this new partnership. Tropfest aims to foster a new generation of filmmakers and we are passionate about providing them with incentives for career and skillset development.”

“This fantastic prize will enable one of our lucky finalists to finish a project or bring a new project into fruition. They could be the next Peter Jackson or Taika Waititi, this is their opportunity and platform to achieve greatness.”

Tropfest films are judged live of the night with the award ceremony taking place immediately after the screening. All finalist films will be eligible to win the Studio Award, with the winner being chosen on the night.

Avalon Studios have also ensured all finalists are rewarded, extending a special studio rate to the remaining 15 Tropfest finalist films.

Gary Watkins, Company Director of Avalon Studios said “we are excited to be associated with Tropfest and the team that put the Festival together. This sponsorship enables us to raise our profile with emerging and talented film makers.”

Avalon Studios has been under independent ownership since April 2013 and was formerly the home of iconic TV shows like Country Calendar and Dancing with the Stars as well as an extensive inventory of feature films, advertising campaigns and media events.

Since its private ownership it has been associated with a number of film projects like “Belief – The Janet Moses Story” by KHF Media, “How to Murder Your Wife” by Screentime, “Consent: The Louise Nicholas Story” by Desert Road Productions, “Dead Room” by Centron Pictures. As well as NZ Film Commission Platinum Shorts – “Feeder” by Little Wolf Ltd, “Judgment Tavern” by Useful Media.

The facilities at Avalon Studios includes a wide range of sound proof Studios, lighting equipment, set making workshops, production offices as well as a skilled workforce available on demand. It also has its own Production Development business.

Entries for the 2016 Tropfest competition close at 5PM on December 3rd, the finalist line-up is scheduled to be announced the third week of January 2016 and the main screening event will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at the TSB Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth.

TROPFEST HISTORY

Tropfest – the world’s largest short film festival has been presented in Australia for 23 years, attracting crowds of over 150,000 on a single night.

Started in 1993 by founder and director John Polson, it grew from a small film screening in Sydney’s Tropicana cafe to one of Australia’s most iconic events, and the world’s largest short film festival with competitions in Arabia, South East Asia, North America and most recently New Zealand.

The support and involvement of film personalities from around the world has become one of the trademarks of the festival. Selection of the winning Tropfest film takes place live on the night of the festival by a panel of high profile industry and celebrity judges. Past judges have included Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Naomi Watts, Toni Collette, Rose Byrne, Geoffrey Rush, Russell Crowe, Sam Worthington, Salma Hayek, George Miller and Gabriel Byrne to name a few.

ENDS

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