Gen Z's take on girl power wins top prize at Trop Jr

at Alexander, 15 (Pearl Beach, NSW) has won Trop Jr, the world’s largest short film festival for kids, with her film REWIRE today at Parramatta Park!

REWIRE is as a rejection of patriarchal constructs: a Pinocchio story of an android who is inspired by strong female figures throughout history, and breaks free from her hardwiring.

“Kat’s film is a buoyant exploration of the impact that strong female leader can have on an individual’s own empowerment, all told through the unique lens of our younger generation,” said Filmmaker & Industry Liaison Manager Annie Parnell. “The technical skill and storytelling ability evident in her film rival that of any Tropfest entrant!”

“Kat is truly an example of what Tropfest and Trop Jr are all about – fostering the next incredible generation of Australia’s film industry,” she said.

Kat is the lucky recipient of a $1,500 cash prize and 12 month Gold Pass courtesy of Event Cinemas; two tickets to the best screen conference for emerging and regional filmmakers, Screen Makers Conference, in Adelaide (SA), including flights and accommodation, thanks to supporter Motion Picture Association and ANZSA; a Western Sydney University Studio package, valued at $12,500; a $500 film course voucher from AFTRS; and a trophy by Dinosaur Designs.

Charlotte McLaverty (Bentleigh East, VIC) took home Second Prize with Social, and Third Prize went to Jessica Nipperress (Mudgee, NSW) for Sane. The Hollow cast took out both Best Male Actor (William Kasper, Brisbane QLD) and Best Female Actress (Tyallah Bullock, Brisbane QLD).

Trop Jr 2019 screened to an enthusiastic crowd at Parramatta Park’s Rose Lawn, who turned up to support Tropfest after raging storms rendered the screen and stage in The Crescent unusable. Event organisers worked through the night to develop a plan to deliver the event in an alternate location within Parramatta Park.

This year’s competition was judged by a panel of young Aussie screen stars, including: Hugo Johnstone-Burt (Miss Fisher’s Murders), Miah Madden (The Sapphires), Sophia Forrest (Love Child), and Will McDonald (Riot), plus winner of Trop Jr 2018 Tadji Ulrich.

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