This year’s signature Tropfest item was a mirror, but an umbrella was the must-have accessory of the day.
The world’s largest short film festival was almost cancelled as driving rain and lightning storms swept through Sydney yesterday evening.
Those attending the main event in Centennial Park on Sunday night were ushered out of the storm’s path, but the skies cleared, and the show went ahead.
Dark comedy ‘Granny Smith’ took home the night’s top prize. The short film about faking the death of an elderly relative to get out of work struck a chord with judges.
Australian actor Kat Stewart, who was on the judging panel, said it was extremely hard to pick a winner.
“I think it’s okay to say there weren’t many votes splitting the final three,” she said.
“I think the final three are magnificent films.”
The Victorian filmmaker behind the film, Julian Lucas, said winning felt “incredible”.
“We’ve been actually dreaming of this for six months, probably longer,” he said.
Mr Lucas said the film came to life after he and friend Jack had the same idea for a short film.
“He called me up one day and said I’ve got this idea for a film,” he said.
“He read it out to me, I said, that’s so weird. I’ve written that film.”
Second place was awarded to ‘Red Nuts’, another comedy that deals with dying, while third prize went to ‘Twisted’, a tale about a balloon animal battle at a school reunion.
Previous winners in attendance on the night said the festival proved a launching pad for their careers.
Fourteen-year-old Nicholas Hamilton, who was named best male actor at Tropfest in 2013, joined the parade on the red carpet.
“Ever since Tropfest, my career has just spiralled out of control, it’s great,” he said.
Filmmaker Matt Hardie, who created the 2013 winning film, had just returned from Los Angeles, which formed part of last year’s prize.
“I met a bunch of people there who really taught me a lot about the industry, so it’s been very helpful.”
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