What is Tropfest?

Summer is the best time of the year, and more accurately – summer in Sydney is the best place to be at the best time of the year. Sydney hosts many events and parties (some free, some super expensive) this time of the year, and it is very convenient that it falls within the holiday months. So, not only are you celebrating because summer is arriving in full force, but also everyone is merry and bright because it is Christmastime.

One of the kickoff events of the summer is TropFest – which is held on the second Sunday of December and is an Australian film festival that is held in one of the large public parks; and it is free for anyone to attend. The festival starts early afternoon with local and semi-famous Australian bands hitting the stage while fans and passerbys picnic in the park, whilst sipping on cider and soaking in the Australian sunrays. The film contest starts around 8pm, premiering the top 16 films that made it to the final judging.  In the past few years, TropFest was held at the Domain, a large grassy park near the Sydney CBD, but this year it was at Centennial Park, which is only a short walk from Bondi [obviously the TropFest gods sensed my arrival to Australia and decided to place the event to my nearest convenience].

Anywho, the top 16 films aired before thousands of people who gathered on this beautiful Sunday.  Some films were funny, some were serious, and others flat out did not make sense.  Every year there is a broad theme that the contestants need to incorporate in their film - this year’s theme: change. There were many pro-gay/lesbian films, as you can imagine, and others that simply threw a few coins in a shot sequence, defining the theme of “change” very literally. 

If you are interested, check out the winners and other finalists here. You must watch the winning film, entitled “Bamboozled”, as it was not only the first place winner, but an obvious crowd favorite [spoiler alert: it’s quite hilarious]. Although Bamboozled was not my personal favorite, it definitely deserved recognition of being a super creative and unexpected story.  Okay, okay, I know y’all are wondering my fave film (because this is my blog AND my opinion should always be factored in) – check it out here. Why, I choose this film, you may ask? Well, I didn't necessarily like the storyline per se, but I think the filmmaker narrated his story very creatively and unlike any of the other films. But, none of the judges asked my opinion for some reason... 

While you all are hibernating in the dead cold of winter, be sure to stay tuned for more summer activities that happen in the next months – sorry I’m not sorry.