Arts Ministers should help Tropfest open curtains this year: Greens
The Greens have called on the NSW and Federal Arts Ministers to sit down with John Polson and Tropfest organisers to see what they can do to make sure the world’s largest short film festival is able to run this year.
NSW Greens Arts spokesperson Jenny Leong MP said:
“Film fans in Sydney and worldwide are reeling from the news that Tropfest has been cancelled.”
“I remember being at one of the first Tropfests on Darlinghurst Rd, where the audience was spilling out of the Tropicana Café. There was a real community vibe and the chance to see films that wouldn’t otherwise have an audience.”
“Tropfest is such an iconic part of Sydney culture, growing from a small, indie, community based gathering to become an annual highlight on our cultural and tourist calendar.”
“Tropfest has played an important role in the development of the local film industry, thanks to its proud history as a platform for independent filmmakers.”
“It’s a space for up and coming filmmakers, actors, and graphics, sound and post-production specialists to have their work seen and get a leg up in an industry that’s notoriously hard to crack.”
“The Government should be doing all it can to provide platforms for independent filmmakers.”
Australian Greens Arts spokesperson Adam Bandt MP said:
“Like many others, I awoke this morning to the sad news that Tropfest has been cancelled this year.”
“Tropfest provides filmmakers with the chance to reach a hundred thousand people with their stories and is a vital part of our local film industry.”
“Federal Arts Minister Mitch Fifield and NSW Arts Minister Troy Grant should sit down with John Polson to see how their governments can help Tropfest open its curtains again this year.”
Media contacts:
Adam Bandt – Adam Pulford, 0429 109 054
Jenny Leong – Dan Buhagiar, 0457 512 649