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Tropfest in Thailand
The Australian Embassy recently hosted the premiere screening in Thailand of Tropfest, the world’s largest outdoor short film festival initiated by Australian film icon John Polson. The screening was attended by over one hundred invited guests from the Thai film, cultural, government and business communities.
The gardens of the Australian Embassy provided the perfect backdrop for an outdoor screening, replicating the Tropfest experience in Australia. A reception featuring Australian food and wine preceded a showcase of some of Tropfest’s best films, including the 2008 winner. The films highlighted the creativity, diversity and sophistication of young Australian and international filmmakers. All the more impressive was that such impact was generated within seven minutes - the maximum length of each film under Tropfest’s entry guidelines.
“Short film is the perfect medium to promote emerging talent. By its very nature short film speaks to a modern, sophisticated sensibility. It is a breeding ground for artistic experimentation and the creative application of technology,” said Australian Ambassador to Thailand H.E. William Paterson in his opening speech.
VIP guests included young creative filmmaker and Australian alumnus, MR Adam Yukol, son of legendary Thai Director MC Chatrichalerm Yukol, cutting-edge directors such as Nonzee Nimitbutr and Pantham Thongsang, emerging independent filmmaker Pimpaka Towira and Thunska Pansittivorakul, the founder of Thaiindie.com. Guests also rubbed shoulders with the famous actor Michael Shaowanasai, and well-known film critic Sananjit Bangsapan. The visiting Tropfest management team saw good potential for bringing the festival to Thailand in the future. Accompanying the team were ‘Tropfest Ambassadors’ Eddie White and James Calvert, 2006 finalists and owners of the Australian production company ‘The People’s Republic of Animation’. Eddie and James were impressed with scope for cooperation between the Australian and Thai film industries.
As Ambassador Paterson said, “I am confident that this is the start of an enduring relationship between Tropfest and Thailand and the Australian and Thai film industries generally. In the not too distant future I hope we will see a uniquely Thai Tropfest. Given the depth of Thai filmmaking talent and the strength of Tropfest, I’m sure we will.”