Tropfest, world’s largest short film festival, to debut in Brooklyn
Brooklyn-based Tropfest founder excited to present in Prospect Park
Now in its 21st year, Tropfest, the world’s largest short film festival, is making its Brooklyn debut in Prospect Park on June 22. Founded by John Polson, an Australian-born, Brooklyn-based filmmaker, Tropfest has become an important launching pad for aspiring filmmakers with minimal resources, offering artists the chance to present their work to an audience of tens of thousands.
“It’s very exciting what’s going on [in Brooklyn], where there are so many artists and filmmakers and writers. I genuinely believe it’s one of the creative centers of the world,” Polson told the Brooklyn Daily Eagle in a recent interview. “We are excited to be in Brooklyn this year with incredible judges and great sponsors to help keep this tradition alive and growing.”
This year’s festival will be hosted by Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Liev Schreiber. Tropfest announced this spring a new partnership with SHOWTIME, and its other 2013 partners include Entertainment Weekly, the Motion Picture Association, NBC 4 New York, WNYC, the Village Voice, and the Film Society of Lincoln Center.
Among this year’s judges are author Malcolm Gladwell (“The Tipping Point), WNYC host Leonard Lopate, and Academy Award-winning producer Fisher Stevens (“The Cove”). “I have no doubt Fisher, Malcolm, and Leonard will have some tough decisions ahead of them,” said Polson.