Martin Henderson and Robyn Malcolm now patrons of Tropfest

MEDIA RELEASE Friday February 17, 2012

Kiwi stars Martin Henderson and Robyn Malcolm become patrons of Tropfest NZ

LA-based Kiwi actor Martin Henderson and Outrageous Fortune star Robyn Malcolm have both announced their patronage of Tropfest New Zealand in time for this year’s screening of Tropfest Australia short films in New Plymouth on Sunday, February 19.

Henderson will be adding a personal touch to the free outdoor screening event this Sunday by sending a welcoming video clip for the audience which was shot on the famous hills of Hollywood.

The former Shortland St star and most recently the lead in Gaylene Preston’s “Home By Christmas”, Henderson says he became a fan of Tropfest short films during a stint living in Australia.
"Having lived in Sydney for a few years I remember Tropfest there as a wonderful event that brought both the industry and broader community together to be entertained and to celebrate the diverse talent and creativity that is out there,” says Henderson.
“To have this come to New Zealand is so exciting and I'm thrilled to be a patron of something which I know will entertain and inspire all those who are lucky enough to attend.”
Meanwhile, Robyn Malcolm says she is “really excited and honoured to be an ambassador of Tropfest New Zealand”.

“I have attended Tropfest in Australia over the years and it really is such a wonderful and comprehensive celebration of short films and their makers,” says Malcolm.

Henderson and Malcolm join a list of film-industry support for Tropfest NZ including film directors and producers Gaylene Preston, Vincent Ward and Catherine Fitzgerald, as well as support from industry guilds such as WIFT (Women in Film & Television), and SPADA (the Screen Producers and Directors Association).

This Sunday’s screening of the sixteen finalist short films from the more than 700 entered in Australia’s Tropfest short film competition this year is a free event organised by the Taranaki Arts Festival Trust, says TAFT’s chief executive, Suzanne Porter.

“By transforming the TSB Bowl of Brooklands into New Plymouth’s largest outdoor cinema, we guarantee a night of diverse and dramatic entertainment showing off the best of Australian film making talent,” says Ms. Porter.

Each film must be of no more than seven minutes in duration, have been made specifically for Tropfest and contain the Tropfest Signature Item which this year is ‘a light bulb’.

“Bring your picnic and beverages, and settle in for an evening of the best short films Australia has to offer. There’ll be everything from Marriage proposals gone wrong, neighbours at war, medical centre nightmares and even extra-terrestrial encounters to watch!”

With the gates opening at 4pm, there will be music courtesy of the Most FM until the official welcome and screening of the first eight films at 6.30pm.

Running until approximately 9.30pm, the New Plymouth screening event will coincide with the showing of the 16 finalists’ films in Australia at huge outdoor screenings in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Hobart, Surfers Paradise, Brisbane, and Adelaide attended by hundreds of thousands of film lovers. And for those who can’t make the outdoor screenings, the event is also broadcast live on television across Australia to hundreds of thousands more.

“We’re planning to make a exciting announcement during the screenings – so stay watching!” says Ms. Porter.

Ends