This year’s crop of Tropfest short films cover the whole gambit from but most aim to win a laugh

2014 Tropfest finalist, Little Bondi. Picture: Supplied

RUNAWAY brides, clumsy butlers, Bondi hipsters and chocoholic dentists are among the characters Tropfest finalists have used to bring this year’s theme of “mirror” alive.

Now in it’s 23rd year, Australian film critic Mark Fennel today announced the 16 finalists which have been selected out of more than 600 entrants at a conference held at the Sydney Opera House.

Films set to hit the big screen at the world’s largest short film festival, which will be held in Centennial Park on December 7, cast a mirror onto the past, explore challenges or journeys made and how they affect the present, take look at Bondi stereotypes and shine a light on today’s society.

2014 Tropfest finalist, Shotgun Wedding. Picture: Supplied

Without a doubt, comedy is the most popular genre covered among the film makers, ten of which hail from NSW.

Among the celebrities set to make an appearance at the hotly anticipated event next month are Gold Logie award winning Australian television and radio presenter Steve Vizard, award winning actor Pia Miranda, The Little Death’s Alan Dukes, Underbelly’s Roy Billing, The Sapphires Shari Sebbens, House Husbands’ Natalie Saleeba, The Killing Field’s Taylor Ferguson and Australian actor Cassandra McGrath.

And as always, a number of questionable character’s also make an appearance in the films.

That’s no doubt the case in Jackson Mullane’s shortfilm, Red Nuts, which looks at the age old question, what would you change about your life if you found out you were dying?

“It follows a red nut and some of the worries you may have if you have red hair,” Jackson Mullane told Confidential.

2014 Tropfest finalist, Spirit Stones. Picture: Supplied

2014 Tropfest finalist, Untitled. Picture: Supplied

2014 Tropfest finalist, Twisted. Picture: Supplied

2014 Tropfest finalist, Red Nuts. Picture: Supplied

Mullane, who was formally a commercial director and professional Rugby Player, made his foray into the film making business after giving up his two previous passions in the search for “longevity in his life”.

“I have always loved watching films and I used to play professional Rugby, they were my two passions and once I stopped and realised I wanted more longevity in my life I made a decision to look at my other passion, film making,” he said.

Mullane is one of four brothers, his sibling, Tyson Mullane, a model and musician and executive director of the flick.

“We spent time being home schooled by our parents and grew up for a lot of years in a caravan together,” Tyson Mullane said.

“I feel like that had a lot to do with us being creative, it forced us to look things a little differently.

“Maybe that’s why we all chose to go into these expressive industries.”

Jackson Mullane has also enlisted the help of well know faces Saleeba and Ferguson to tell his story.

“Nat, I sent her the script and she liked it and wanted to be a part of it,” Mullane said.

“Taylor I have known for years.

“We also got the Rufus boys do all the music for us.”

2014 Tropfest finalist, Cavity. Picture: Supplied

2014 Tropfest finalist, A Lady and a Robot. Picture: Supplied

2014 Tropfest finalist, Evil Mexican Child. Picture: Supplied

2014 Tropfest finalist, A Bit Rich. Picture: Supplied

Jackson Mullane’s short film “The One That Got Away” was short-listed for Tropfest last year, but is hoping to have more luck this year.

“It is always competitive but I am really happy with what we have brought together,” Jackson said.

“We have a feature we want to get made next year so hopefully we can use this to speak to the right people.”

Tropfest founder and director John Polson said: “It’s been 23 years since Tropfest first began and every year films entered into the competition remind me of why I started this in the first place — to raise the profile of creative filmmakers and to share stories that, without this platform, might not have otherwise been told,” Polson said.

“It’s a privilege to see the world of such incredible talented filmmakers enter our festival, and this year is no exception.

“Tropfest audiences across the world are in for really entertaining evening of film on December 7.”

Source: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/this-years-crop-of-tropfest-short-films-cover-the-whole-gambit-from-but-most-aim-to-win-a-laugh/story-fni0cvc9-1227120846132?nk=0b37bee270a89676325370d660377fa0