TROPFEST FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

This image: ROCK BOTTOM
Banner image: THE LAST TIME I SAW YOU

Following on from the recent news that Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon is heading the Jury this year, Tropfest today announced the 16 finalist films for Tropfest 2018, supported by foundation partner CGU Insurance. Diverse cultural perspectives, poignant dramas and hilarious comedies take center stage in the kaleidoscope of films set to premiere on Saturday 17 February 2018 at Parramatta Park, on a live national broadcast on ABC COMEDY, and livestreamed online on YouTube globally.

This year marks the most culturally diverse line-up of films Tropfest has ever seen!” said Founder and Executive Chair John Polson. “Having also achieved substantial gender diversity, these finalist films truly represent a great mix of Australian narratives — from the experiences of immigrants, to reflections on racial perceptions in society, incredible true stories, rich emotional journeys and raucous comedies.

All 16 finalists have referenced this year’s Tropfest Signature Item (TSI), ‘ROSE.’ Finalists will walk the black carpet at the main event, where they will have their films judged by a panel of industry leaders, this year headed up by Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon.

Their films will be enjoyed by thousands of Trop fans in Parramatta Park, and across the live national broadcast on ABC COMEDY, as well as on ABC iview, and livestreamed online on YouTube globally.

Prizes up for grabs include: a shiny new Equinox LTZ valued at over $45,000 courtesy of Exclusive Automotive Partner Holden; $10,000 cash courtesy of Kennedy Miller Mitchell; and a film immersion course and ‘week of meetings’ in Los Angeles, with agents, studio executives and other industry professionals courtesy of the Motion Picture Association.

For festival details, screening venues and regular updates on all things Trop visit:

Website: www.tropfest.org.au
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/tropfest
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TROPFEST
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tropfest
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/TROPFEST

10 x NSW Finalists, 5 x VIC Finalists, 1 x QLD Finalists
NEW SOUTH WALES FINALISTS

Title: Boys Don't Cry
Finalist: Nick Ward (Mosman, NSW)
Age: 16
Genre: Drama
Language: English
Logline: The collective experience surrounding teenage mental health.

Title: Combination Fried Rice
Finalist: Simon Folwer (Annandale, NSW)
Age: 30
Genre: Thriller, Comedy
Language: English
Logline: The government, an alien cover-up, and an online conspiracy enthusiast. A combination that could
turn this delivery boy’s first food order, into his last meal.

Title: Mi País, Tu País (My Country, Your Country)
Finalist: Genevieve Gorman Deane (Paddington, NSW – currently based in LA, California)
Age: 21
Location filmed: Los Angeles
Genre: Drama
Language: Spanish
Logline: Mi País, Tu País (My Country, Your Country) explores aspects of today's US Political Climate and the prejudices against the Latin American community within the United States.

Title: Don't Rain on My Parade
Finalists: Steve Potter and Byron Meers (Potts Point, NSW)
Genre: Comedy
Language: English
Logline: A day in the life of a man who loves his job...a bit too much.

Title: Phenomena
Finalist: Izzy Stevens (St Ives, NSW)
Age: 24
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Language: English
Logline: Phenomena is about Emma, a young woman who begins to see a second version of herself. As the
puzzle unfolds, we finally come to understand that something significant has occurred to cause this
fracturing.

Title: Rash Decision
Finalist: John Cavallaro (Olympic Park, NSW)
Age: 35
Genre: Comedy
Language: English
Logline: Adam arrives home after his honeymoon to discover that he has an unexplainable rash. Was it his
wife Belle or is he guilty of a darker past?

Title: Regime
Finalist: Jessica Phoebe Knox (Northmead, NSW)
Language: Arabic
Genre: Drama
Logline: The daily regime of a 30 year old Syrian Woman during Syria’s brutal civil war - which knows no
regime.

Title: Rock Bottom
Finalists: Nick Baker and Tristan Klein (Petersham, NSW)
Ages: Both 32
Genre: Comedy, Animation
Language: English
Logline: Welcome to Rock Bottom - a filthy underground bar, full of filthy underground bugs.

Title: SMOOTH
Finalist: Joel Phillips (West Ryde, NSW)
Age: 32
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Language: English
Logline: A guy waits at the front door for his Valentine's date.

Title: The Life I’ve Seen
Finalist: James Carr (Ultimo, NSW)
Age: 31
Language: English
Genre: Drama
Logline: Perth grandmother Shirley Affleck reflects on a life well-lived and the lessons learned along the way with her husband of 67 years.

VICTORIA FINALISTS

Title: Cannot Predict Now
Finalist: Nikki Richardson (St Kilda East, VIC)
Age: 28
Genre: Coming of Age
Language: English
Logline: Jess prepares to move out of her childhood bedroom as her little sister Emily prepares to move in.

Title: Last Man Standing
Finalist: Lucy Knox (Collingwood, VIC)
Age: 27
Genre: Documentary
Language: English
Logline: Australia’s last remaining motion picture film processor contemplates the impact his impending
retirement will have on the future of film in Australia.

Title: The Last Time I Saw You
Finalist: Damian McLindon (Fitzroy North, VIC)
Age: 39
Genre: Drama
Language: English
Logline: A 16 year old Hazara Muslim refugee confronts a trio of mean girls at school.


Title: Paper Cut
Finalist: Virginia Gay (Collingwood, VIC)
Age: 34
Genre: Comedy, Thriller
Language: English
Logline: Alone at night in a computer lab, a man is terrorized by a rogue printer.

Title: Two Piece
Finalist: Greta Nash (East Melbourne, VIC)
Age: 23
Genre: Coming of Age, Drama
Language: English
Logline: Ava is on the way to the beach with her mum Kelly and little brother Wally, but before they go she
needs to find a new swimsuit. At the age of 13, this task is nowhere near as simple as it sounds.

QUEENSLAND FINALIST

Title: I’m Still Here
Finalist: Steve Baker (Graceville, QLD)
Age: 43
Genre: Romance, Animation
Language: English
Logline: As nuclear war looms, a woman must make a final phone call.