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Tropfest Announces Move To Parramatta

The world's largest short film festival is officially headed west.
Tropfest at Centennial Park on February 14, 2016.
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Tropfest at Centennial Park on February 14, 2016.

After just three years at Centennial Park, Tropfest is again on the move, this time relocating to Parramatta Park in western Sydney.

Tropfest's founder John Polson, currently filming in New York, made the announcement on Monday afternoon AEST.

"After extensive research and soul-searching, as well as looking to international festivals such as Sundance and Cannes for inspiration, we've recognised our desire to have a destination we could fully embrace and call our own," Polson said.

"Tropfest needed a fresh base where it can be nurtured, expand, and eventually become a multi event festival. Moving Tropfest to Parramatta also puts us firmly in the geographical heart of Sydney, which is the perfect place for the world's most exciting and accessible film event."

John Polson on the Tropfest red carpet earlier this year.
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John Polson on the Tropfest red carpet earlier this year.

It has been a rocky 12 months for the beloved film festival, which was abruptly cancelled just weeks before its scheduled December 6 event last year after an alleged "terrible and irresponsible mismanagement of Tropfest funds".

Thanks to a lifeline thrown by CGU Insurance, the festival was able to go ahead in February this year. However many still questioned the viability of Tropfest's future in what was obviously proving to be a difficult sponsorship environment.

While those fears appear to have been put to rest for the time being, whether long-time fans accustomed to the traditional inner-city event will embrace the new venue is yet to be seen.

"The City of Parramatta and Parramatta Park Trust have already demonstrated they are 100 percent behind helping us ensure Tropfest at Parramatta is a success," Polson continued.

"Having such vested partners on board enables us to continue our core mission – to provide a platform for Australia's incredible filmmaking talent, and to celebrate that talent loudly and for all the world to see. I can't wait to introduce the loyal Tropfest audience to our beautiful new venue at Parramatta Park (just a short train ride away!) as well as connect with ever wider audiences at our new home."

The winning film of Tropfest 2016, 'Shiny'.

Entries for the 2017 competition (which has the iconic signature item of 'pineapple') open in September.

The 25th annual Tropfest will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2017.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article stated Tropfest had only been held at Centennial Park for one year. The festival has been held at Centennial Park four times over a period of three years.

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