Controversial Love Story ‘Bamboozled’ Wins 22nd Tropfest

Bamboozled, a controversial comedic love story, has taken out first prize at 2013’s second instalment of the world’s largest short film festival, Tropfest. The winning films, which you can watch below, were announced at the festival’s new home of Centennial Park in Sydney at an event offering fans of film and arts a raft of entertainment and the chance to see some of Australia’s up-and-coming filmmakers.

Directed by Matt Hardie, also a winner of the 2012 Tropfest DLSR Award, Bamboozled tells the story of Pete (Hardie), who is stopped in the street by an apparent stranger, Harry (Aaron Sindos). Harry soon reveals himself to be Helen, Pete’s ex-girlfriend, and the two reconnect in unexpected ways.

Bamboozled explores ‘change’, the Tropfest Signature Item linking this year’s finalists, who explored themes of “love, sexuality, loss and relationships,” as well as stories of war, death, and immigration. Genres ranged from animation and thrillers to dramas and documentaries.

In addition to the massive international and industry exposure, the team behind Bamboozled take home a new Toyota Corolla Levin ZR, a Nikon D800 DSLR and $2,000 worth of Nikon lenses, $10,000 courtesy of Kennedy Miller Mitchell, and a trip to Los Angeles to meet with top industry executives.

Makeover by Don Percy won second place, a clear crowd favourite also telling the story of finding love in unexpected places. Third prize went to Tom Abood’s Honi Soit Oui Mal Y Pense, a war story told through the eyes of a soldier.

Best female actor went to actor director Kaiya Jones for her role in Coping, and Hardie and Tsindos shared the award for Best Male Actor. Claude Gonzales won the Nikon DSLR Film Category with his film Ariel, and Martin Sharpe was the recipient of the Qantas Film Cadetship for Still life.

Readers can view all winners below as well as the full list of nominees, and visit the official Tropfest website for more details

The main event kicked off as the sun goes down, but was preceded by the seventh instalment of the now annual Trop Jr, “the world’s largest short film festival – for kids, by kids.” This extraordinary festival-within-a-festival screens 16 films from filmmakers aged 15-years and younger, based on their own signature item: ‘Monster.’

Entertainment included performances from an eclectic lineup of local and international artists, including Lenka, Ngaiire, Jinja Safari, Busby Marou, Illy, and Australian pop royalty Tina Arena, performing songs from her new album, Reset, and others.

“We encourage everyone to join us as we bring Tropfest to a new home in Sydney,” said Managing Director of Tropfest, Michael Laverty earlier, adding, “What better way to launch Sydney’s summer event calendar than with an outdoor celebration of great stories and talented filmmakers?”

Watch: Tropfest 2013 Winners

1st Prize, Best Male Actor: Bamboozled

Finalist: Matt Hardie

Location: Redfern, NSW

http://youtu.be/0ErcDhI5WJU

2nd Prize: Makeover

Finalist: Don Percy

Location: Highett, VIC

3rd Prize: Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense

Finalist: Tom Abood

Location: Naremburn, NSW

Best Female Actor: Coping

Finalists: Kaiya Jones

Location: Nunawading, VIC

Nikon DSLR Award: Ariel

Finalists: Claude Gonzalez

Location: Lilyfield, NSW

http://youtu.be/E67oUg8ngoQ

QANTAS Film Cadetship: Still Life

Finalists: Martin Sharpe

Location: Nunawading, VIC

Tropfest December 2013 Finalists

Title: Sorry Baby

Finalists: Spencer and Lloyd Harvey

Location: Balgowlah, NSW

Title: L.O.V.E Insurance for the Heart

Finalists: Rachel Lane

Location: Clovelly, NSW

Title: Stew

Finalists: Steven Woodburn

Location: Bellevue Hill, NSW

Title: Off the Meter

Finalists: Carl Sorheim

Location: St Kilda, VIC

Title: Darkness Comes

Finalists: John Marsh

Location: Empire Bay, NSW

Title: Charades

Finalists: Julian Lucas

Location: Prahran, VIC

Title: Sine

Finalists: Adrian Cabrie

Location: Darley, VIC

Title: Revive

Finalists: Ruben Pracas

Location: Cooloongup, WA

Title: Truth Is…

Finalists: Ben Davies

Location: Chippendale, NSW

Title: The Squirrel King

Finalists: Dimitri Ellerington

Location: Bondi, NSW

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