Modelled after Tropfest, the world's largest short film festival and one of Australia's most well-loved film and cultural events, Trop Jr is a filmmaking competition and free outdoor festival for kids 15 years and younger.
The Competition
Trop Jr is about encouraging young people to make films. We will accept film entries from around Australia that have been made by individual or groups of kids. Films should be no longer than 7 minutes (including titles and end credits) and may not have been screened anywhere before Trop Jr. Films must be suitable for kids under 15 years of age - this means no excessive violence, sexual references or coarse language.
Entries must also include the Trop Jr Signature Item (TSI). The TSI is not a 'theme' but rather, a 'signature' or symbol that can appear anywhere in your film and acts as proof that it was made specifically for Trop Jr. The 2009 Trop Jr TSI is SQUEEZE. For example, you could have someone squeeze a tube of toothpaste or someone could say the word 'squeeze'. The important thing is to be creative - there are no limits to the way it can be interpreted or incorporated!
The Festival
8-12 films will be chosen as finalists and will be screened at the Trop Jr festival on Sunday 22 February 2009. This is the same day as the main Tropfest event, but takes place in the afternoon on a separate site next to the festival grounds in Sydney’s Domain. This area will be a place for families and kids to picnic and have fun together from 12-2pm, and the official program will kick off from 2-4pm with celebrity presenters, judges and an awards ceremony (just like big Trop!).
After the Festival
When you enter your film into Trop Jr we ask your nominated parent or legal guardian, on your behalf, to give us certain rights to your film. This allows us to act as the distributor or sales agent for your film once the festival is over. What this means, is that we will look for other screening opportunities for your film that may earn you money – for example, your film might be shown on television, the internet, on a DVD or at another public screening. Not all opportunities are paid, but if there is any money earned, the profits are split 50/50 between you (the filmmaker or producer) and Trop Jr. (Please refer to the Ts & Cs for more information or contact mail@tropjr.com.au with any questions).
Entering Your Film
Please ensure that both you and your nominated parent or legal guardian read the Trop Jr Entry Guidelines on the following pages very carefully and get your parents, teacher or a guardian to help you if you have any questions. Entries are due on Thursday 15 January 2009. Short listed filmmakers' nominated parent or legal guardian will be notified within three weeks of entering and will be asked to submit additional materials on or before 22 January 2009. The 8-12 Trop Jr Finalists will be notified in early February.
Group Entries (Schools, Clubs, Etc)
Trop Jr is also open to schools, children's clubs and groups. If you are a teacher or supervisor and wish to get your students involved in something hands on, this is a great opportunity to encourage team work, creativity and an understanding of film production. The same rules and guidelines apply to group submissions whereby a nominated parent or legal guardian must sign the terms and conditions on behalf of a filmmaker who will act as the representative of the club or group.
You can find more information about the event on www.tropjr.com.
Good Luck!
THE TROP JR TEAM
Click here for Trop Jr entry guidelines.
