Tropfest – the popular Aussie short film festival running since 1993 – has been cancelled less than a month before the December event.
Back in 2006, the outdoor screening event was canned due to fierce electrical storms. This time, it is due to ‘terrible’ financial management by an unnamed management company, according to a statement released by founder John Polson.
The statement reads:
Tropfest Pty Ltd announced today that the December 6 Tropfest event will not be taking place as scheduled. Tropfest Founder and Director, John Polson, provided the following statement:
“It is devastating for me to announce today that Tropfest will not be taking place as scheduled in Centennial Park this year.
In the past week or so, I have been made aware that the company contracted to raise the funding and administer the Tropfest event is unable to move forward for financial reasons. Despite a challenging sponsorship climate, Tropfest has done reasonably well in attracting support this year; however, to my great surprise, the management has informed us that it is unable to proceed.
It goes without saying that this announcement is the most difficult one I’ve made in Tropfest’s 23 year history. My heart goes out to this year’s 16 filmmaking finalists, to our incredible list of sponsors and partners, and of course to our loyal and beloved audience.
It is too early to tell what actually happened here, although it is hard to avoid concluding there has been a terrible and irresponsible mismanagement of Tropfest funds. I and others will be spending the coming weeks and months investigating what has transpired.
In the meantime, I ask all of Tropfest’s many supporters to bear with us while we figure out how we can rebound from this disaster. Now more than ever this unique Australian cultural event needs your patience and support.”
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