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Tropfest short film festival cancelled after 'irresponsible management' Tropfest short film festival cancelled after 'irresponsible management'
(about 1 hour later)
Next month’s Tropfest short film festival in Sydney has been cancelled after what its founder called the “irresponsible mismanagement” of the festival’s funds.Next month’s Tropfest short film festival in Sydney has been cancelled after what its founder called the “irresponsible mismanagement” of the festival’s funds.
The annual festival in Sydney’s Centennial Park,scheduled for 6 December, will not go ahead because of lack of money, says the Tropfest founder and director, John Polson.The annual festival in Sydney’s Centennial Park,scheduled for 6 December, will not go ahead because of lack of money, says the Tropfest founder and director, John Polson.
Polson said on Wednesday: “It is too early to tell what has actually happened here, although it is hard to avoid concluding there has been a terrible and irresponsible mismanagement of Tropfest funds.”Polson said on Wednesday: “It is too early to tell what has actually happened here, although it is hard to avoid concluding there has been a terrible and irresponsible mismanagement of Tropfest funds.”
Related: Tropfest 2014: watch the winning short film, Granny SmithRelated: Tropfest 2014: watch the winning short film, Granny Smith
A discrepancy of six figures in the festival’s finances managed by a company contracted to run the event means it cannot go ahead, Polson told Fairfax Media.A discrepancy of six figures in the festival’s finances managed by a company contracted to run the event means it cannot go ahead, Polson told Fairfax Media.
The founder has started legal action against the management company, which was also responsible for raising funds.The founder has started legal action against the management company, which was also responsible for raising funds.
Polson said he was surprised to learn the festival could not proceed. Tropfest had done reasonably well to attract support this year despite challenges to sponsorship, he said.Polson said he was surprised to learn the festival could not proceed. Tropfest had done reasonably well to attract support this year despite challenges to sponsorship, he said.
Tropfest was due to celebrate its 24th year. Since its inception in 1993 it has expanded to festivals in New Zealand, south-east Asia, the US, and the Middle East.Tropfest was due to celebrate its 24th year. Since its inception in 1993 it has expanded to festivals in New Zealand, south-east Asia, the US, and the Middle East.
Polson described the decision to cancel the event as “the most difficult one I’ve made in Tropfest’s 23 year history”.
“My heart goes out to this years 16 filmmaking finalists, to our incredible list of sponsors and partners, and of course to our loyal and beloved audience,” he added.
Polson asked Tropfest’s 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,” he said.
The Intersection, the company responsible for managing the festival’s funding, has been contacted for comment.
Event management company Our Friends Electric, which has worked on Tropfest for 13 years, said on social media that it had nothing to do with the issue.
“We are, essentially, a supplier to the company in question, and like many other partners of the festival are shocked by the news,” the company said on Facebook on Wednesday night.