MPAA Hosts Celebration of the World’s Largest Short Film Festival

Tropfest supports emerging filmmakers and diverse storytelling

WASHINGTON – The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) hosted, “A Celebration of the Global Short Film Festival Phenomenon Tropfest” in cooperation with the Embassy of Australia. The evening included screenings of Tropfest short films, as well as a discussion with Tropfest Founder John Polson and Patrick Hughes, director of the Tropfest Australia 2001 Winner, The Hitman’s Bodyguard.

“The MPAA is proud to support unique storytelling across the globe through events and festivals such as Tropfest,” said Senator Chris Dodd. “As Australia’s most prestigious short film competition and the largest short film festival in the world, Tropfest is instrumental to promoting emerging filmmakers and bringing their stories to a global audience.”

“We are pleased to partner with our friends at the MPAA to showcase the extraordinary talent of Australia’s short filmmakers. Australians are making an ever increasing mark on Hollywood, both in front of and behind the camera, and many of them got their start making short films,” said Australia’s Ambassador to the United States, the Hon. Joe Hockey.

Since 1993, Tropfest has grown to attract more than 90,000 people at its annual event in Sydney, Australia, providing a significant platform for emerging filmmakers to showcase their talent.

The MPAA is a proud global partner of the organization, and each year, sends the winning filmmakers to Los Angeles, California for a film immersion course to gain American film and television industry experience. Tropfest is one of the many ways the MPA advances great storytelling that reflects the diverse viewpoints and experiences of all creators and audiences.

About the MPAA
The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) serves as the voice and advocate of the American motion picture, home video and television industries from its offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Its members include: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; Paramount Pictures Corporation; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation; Universal City Studios LLC; and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

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For more information, contact:

MPAA Washington, D.C.
Chris Ortman
(202) 293-1966
Chris_Ortman@motionpictures.org