You don't have to be in Sydney to a part of Tropfest 2011 - one of the largest short film competitions in the world; as Melbourne's own Federation Square, will have a direct satellite link to The Domain in Sydney on Sunday February 20, 2011, where the official screening of the short films from the finalists will take place and the competitions winners will be revealed to the public later in the evening.
Federation Square is one of seven national venues hosting a broadcast of this major short film competition - other venues include Commonwealth Park in Canberra, Riverside Green, South Bank and Circle on Cavill in Queensland, Salamanca Square in Tasmania, Glenelg in Adelaide and Princess May Park in Western Australia.
Aswell as hosting a broadcast of the Sydney events, also expected are special performances from artists during the evening, who have yet to be revealed, as well as a performance from the winner of Max-TropScore and a screening of the short films by the finalists of Telstra Mobile Masterpieces. The free Melbourne events begin from 5pm and cease approximately at 11pm. The Tropfest Signature Item for 2011 is a 'key'. See the full schedule here.
Previous Tropfest winners include Gregor Jordan in 1995 - who went on to direct Two Hands (1999), Buffalo Soldiers (2001), Ned Kelly (2003) and The Informers (2009).
Short film director and stuntman Nash Edgerton won the competition in 1997; he has since directed The Square (2008).
Last year, actor and short film director Abe Forsythe, won the competition.
The competition has grown significantly since it's humble beginnings in 1993 - founded by John Polson, who continues to forge an internationally successful filmmaking career, having directed Siam Sunset (1999), Swinfan (2003), Hide and Seek (2005) and Tenderness (2009).
The competition has also enticed many international guests and judges in recent years including Billy Crudup, Bryan Singer, Ewan McGregor, Gabriel Byrne, John Woo, Josh Lucas, Julianne Moore, Keanu Reeves, Salma Hayek, Sam Neill, Samuel L Jackson, Tom Cruise and Will Smith.
Major players in the Australian film community; Phillip Noyce, Rachel Griffiths, Russell Crowe, Simon Baker, Toni Collette and Vince Colosimo have also performed official judging duties.
