While some might say that the increasing popularity of short films has something to do with our decreasing attention spans, it would be wrong to say that the form itself does not have its own value. Like short stories, short films can be interpreted in many different ways precisely because of their limited length. With so little information, viewers can let their imagination run wild, while those who make them can have more room to experiment.
Short films come in various types and cover a wide range of topics, and they are also easily accessible on sites such as Youtube and Vimeo. But it turns out the even before short films became as admired as popular as they are today; there have been numerous attempts to bring them to the next level. 21 years ago in Sydney, John Polson founded Tropfest, a short film festival that has now become “the world’s largest short film festival.”
The festival has reached New York and Abu Dhabi, and this year, it has finally made its way to Southeast Asia. Over 180 entries from all Southeast Asian countries except Laos were received during the submission period that began on May 6 and ended on October 28. All films must include the Tropfest Signature Item (TSI) to show that they are specifically made for the festival. For the first SEA festival, the TSI is: rice. The concept seems simple enough, but the fact that a pre-selection judging panel consisting of 10 of notable individuals in the industry indicates the seriousness of the selection process.
On Friday, November 22, 2013, Tropfest SEA held a press conference at the Majestic Hotel in Kuala Lumpur to introduce the festival. The first managing director of Tropfest SEA, Joe Sidek, gave his introductory remarks before he introduced one of the festival’s regional ambassadors, Thai independent film director, Apitchatpong Weerasethakul.
Mr. Weerasethakul is the director of Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (2010), Tropical Malady (2004), and Blissfully Yours (2002) – just to name a few of his long list of accomplishments. Known for his unconventional style and surreal plots, there are indeed high expectations for Mr. Weerasethakul’s contribution in the festival’s live judging session that will take place in Penang in January 2014.
When asked about the process of making films, the soft-spoken director said that it is spontaneous, and that “the more you make them, the more you know what you are feeling, and what you can or can’t do.” He also highlighted how making films has helped him to shift perspectives, and film is essentially about “making oneself immerse in the memory of others.”
With such a big festival involving respected individuals such as Mr. Weerasethakul coming our way, it is hard to contain the excitement. We are only a few months away from seeing some of the region’s emerging talents. Let the countdown begin!
For more information, please visit Tropfest SEA’s official website.
