John Polson, founder and director of the world’s largest short-film festival Tropfest, has announced recently named Australian of the Year, Geoffrey Rush, will be one of the stars judging the 20th birthday competition as well as join the line-up at Tropfest’s inaugural filmmaker symposium, Tropfest Roughcut, on Saturday 18 February 2012.

The all-day event is staged in collaboration with Screen NSW, the NSW Government’s screen development and funding agency, a day before Tropfest’s huge 20th Birthday on Sunday 19 February. Rush joins keynote speaker and celebrated international screenwriter and producer of the 2011 box office hit Love and Other Drugs – Charles Randolph direct from New York.

High profile actor and Australian of the Year Geoffery Rush will be one of the judges for Tropfest’s 20th birthday event and a keynote speaker at the event’s inaugural filmmaker symposium.

Australian film editor Jason Ballantine; Kieran Darcy-Smith – whose new feature Wish You Were Here opened the Sundance Film Festival earlier this month; and leading international composer – Lisa Gerrard will also present as well as 2011 Tropfest Runner Up, Jason Van Genderen.
Rush says he is looking forward to meeting with emerging filmmakers.

“Tropfest is turning 20, that’s serious frisky adulthood – so vicenarians, please join this sexagenarian for a cinematic chat on known knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns.it’s a Q and A and I’d love to hear from you, ” he says.

Polson will offer fresh insights into the 20 year history of the world’s largest short film festival. The day will be hosted by actor, filmmaker and past Tropfest winner, Rob Carlton.

The forum will be an intimate affair at the Domain Theatre, Art Gallery of NSW.  Polson says Roughcut has been established to inspire and support those who have a burning ambition to build a professional career in film or television.

“If you are passionate about film and want to explore creativity and collaboration, and what inspires and drives the heart and soul of the filmmaking process, this event is for you,” he says.

Screen Australia, the key Federal Government’s direct funding body for the Australian screen production industry, along with Tropfest’s new festival sponsor, Nikon, have also supported bringing Roughcut to life for Tropfest’s 20th Birthday.

“We’re really excited to be partnering with Screen NSW, Screen Australia and Nikon to present Roughcut. This is going to be an incredibly interesting event for serious filmmakers,” says Polson.