Significant seven: Film festivals

Over the next few days, we are publishing highlights from this year’s Mumbrella Annual.

1. Tropfest
With the crowds Tropfest draw you’d not question Australia’s dedication to local cinema. But what Tropfest created was an event beyond sitting in a dark room with other chin-strokers. John Polson and his crew lower the barrier to entry and makes us feel anyone can be like Nash Edgerton… we just need to get off our arses.

2. Melbourne International Film Festival
Celebrating 60 years of cinema in 2011, story is at the heart of all MIFF programs. Their premiere fund, which helps finance films to have their world premiere at the festival, has a decent strike rate.

3. Sydney Film Festival
Allows Sydneysiders to see independent international films that might otherwise pass us by. Hence tickets are always in demand. With a new director in South African Nashen Moodley for 2012, it will be interesting to see his influence.