Tropfest Doco Winner

Rebecca Varidel
10th Feb 2019

Despite raging storms wreaking havoc on-site a night before the 16 finalist’s short film debut, Tropfest Australia, rose like a phoenix to deliver a stand-out event, crowning Brendan Pinches (Templestowe, VIC) winner of Tropfest 2019 for his film Be You T. Fool.

The short film was unanimously selected by a panel of industry leaders including: AFI Award-winning Australian film legend Eric Bana, leading Australian actress Marta Dusseldorp (A Place to Call Home), AACTA-nominated Indigenous actor Aaron Pedersen (Mystery Road), screen starlet Jessica McNamee (Packed to the Rafters), award-winning filmmaker David Michôd (Animal Kingdom), and Australian producer Michele Bennett (Chopper).

Pinches’ film is a fascinating short documentary on Be You T. Fool – the iconic, but anonymous, Melbourne street artist inspiring commuters on the bustling Chandler Bridge with her distinct pasted portraits.

“The winning films for Tropfest 2019 were incredibly inspiring. Above all, the films explored crucial life lessons. It was a tough decision, and the variety of films made determining a winner very difficult,” said the jury.

“Congratulations to all of the finalists for their amazing efforts!”

Rory Kelly (Melbourne, VIC) took home Second Prize with Comican’t, whose lead actors Ryan New and Andrew Tresidder together also took out the Best Male Actor prize. Third Prize went to Cassie de Colling (Ascot Vale, VIC) for Allie.  

Best Female Actress came to a thrilling tie between Evelyn Krape (Can You Hear Me) for her role as a grandmother who discovers some things are better left unheard, and Shabana Azeez, the lovestruck lead courting a cute candle shop girl in Crush. The $3,000 prize for each short film star was generously donated by Nicole Kidman.

For the first time in 27 years, Tropfest will live-stream a ground-breaking, interactive show in partnership with Facebook Australia and CGU Insurance, called Tropfest All Access on today at 4:00PM AEDT. Audiences around Australia and the world will be able to watch all 16 finalist films from Tropfest 2019 at home, exclusively on Facebook Watch. The show will feature the winner’s announcement, exclusive footage from throughout the night including the juror’s deliberations, and interviews with A-list stars.

Broadcast live on the Tropfest Facebook page, Tropfest All Access will be hosted by Australia’s most fabulous film-geek Maude Garrett. Viewers can comment, ask questions, contribute to the conversation with the show’s guests, answer Polls, and win cool prizes throughout the broadcast.

www.tropfest.org.au