Local filmmakers have enjoyed success at Tropfest Australia 2018 held in Parramatta Park on Sunday night.
Two former shire residents were runners up at the short film festival while a Brighton-Le-Sands filmmaker won a new category for 7 Second Films.
Nick Baker and Tristan Klein, originally from Engadine and Heathcote respectively but now based in Petersham, claimed 2nd Prize overall with their animated comedy Rock Bottom.
The film features some loudmouthed bugs taking pot shots at yuppies in dark observation of Australian society.
Their film screened to a packed out audience at Parramatta Park, which numbered 45,000 throughout the day, and the duo were pleasantly shocked to receive 2nd Prize.
"It's surreal,” Nick said. “The lineup of films was very strong this year, so we had zero expectations. Being called up on stage for second place was a massive surprise."
Tristan said: "Our plan is to turn Rock Bottom into a series, for web or television. So this is a big step in that direction. We can now say the project has Susan Sarandon's seal of approval!"
It was Nick and Tristan’s third inclusion in the Tropfest finalist line up – they made the final 16 in 2016 with Postcards to Ulay, and last year with The Wall.
The pair said Tropfest was an experience they looked forward to every year.
"Meeting other filmmakers from around Australia and across the world is special,” Nick said. “ Also the free Moët is pretty good."
Tristan said the buzz from the crowd on the night was amazing.
“Premiering your short film in front of thousands and thousands of people is an incredible feeling,” Tristan said. “Particularly this year - as the crowd seemed to really enjoy our comedy. Hearing the crowd reaction was awesome."
The panel of judges this year included Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon, Oscar-nominated actress Rachel Griffiths, Primetime Emmy-nominated filmmaker Garth Davis (Lion), BAFTA-nominated Aussie documentarian Jennifer Peedom (Mountain), and Logie award-winning actor Rob Collins (Cleverman).
This year Tropfest partnered with Holden for the 7 Second Film Competition, inviting filmmakers to create a short film that encapsulates the theme of ‘nothing to prove’ in the shortest time - just 7 seconds.
Judged by Tropfest juror Rachel Griffiths, the winner was Ben Kumanovski from Brighton-Le-Sands with his film In-Laws, about a defiant wife serving up fairy bread for lunch to the in-laws.
Ben won a long weekend away in a Holden Equinox and a $2,000 prize.
Greta Nash, 23, from Melbourne, was the overall winner of Tropfest Australia 2018 with her film Two Piece.
The film is a devastatingly tender coming-of-ager about every teenage girl’s worst nightmare – shopping for a bikini with her mum.
“It’s films like Two Piece that highlight what Tropfest is all about – sharing great stories that might not otherwise be told,” said Tropfest Founder and Executive Chair John Polson.
“The films we enjoyed this evening represented a great mix of diverse Australian narratives.
“A huge congratulations to Greta on being crowned winner of Tropfest 2018.”
Two Piece lead actress Freya Van Dyke, 14, from Melbourne, was also awarded Best Female Actress for her nuanced performance.
John Polson also announced “Candle” as the Tropfest Signature Item (TSI) for 2019, which filmmakers must include in their short films as literally or as subtly as they like.
