The return of two shire favourites and the story of Australia’s last remaining motion picture processor, who is based in the shire, feature among this year’s Tropfest finalists.
Organisers announced last month that Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon would head the jury with 16 finalist films nominated for Tropfest 2018.
The films include diverse cultural perspectives, poignant dramas and comedies which will premiere at Parramatta Park next Saturday.
Tropfest founder and executive chair John Polson said this year marked the most culturally diverse line up of films in the festival’s history.
“Having also achieved substantial gender diversity, these finalist films truly represent a great mix of Australian narratives,” he said.
“From the experiences of immigrants, to reflections on racial perceptions in society, incredible true stories, rich emotional journeys and raucous comedies.”
Victorian filmmaker Lucy Knox, 27, tells the true story of Werner Winkelmann, Australia’s last remaining motion picture processor, in her compelling documentary Last Man Standing.
The story tells of Mr Winkelmann, from Gymea, contemplating the impact his impending retirement will have on the future of film in Australia. The documentary is also shot on 16mm film.
Knox, from Collingwood, has seen her short films screened at festivals including the Sydney Film Festival, Melbourne Film Festival, Adelaide Film Festival and St Kilda Film Festival.
Meanwhile, former shire residents Nick Baker and Tristan Klein, originally from Engadine and Heathcote respectively, will make their fifth appearance as finalists with their animated comedy Rock Bottom.
Their film Punctured was awarded third place at Tropfest Australia in 2013, while The Unlikely Maestro won Tropfest New York in the same year. Postcards to Ulay finished runner-up at Tropfest Australia in 2016.
The show will be broadcast live on ABC Comedy and livestreamed online on YouTube.
Details: tropfest.org.au