“I congratulate all 16 filmmakers who have been recognised as finalists in Australia’s number one short film festival. I am pleased to see so many talented filmmakers from NSW, the centre of film production and home the creative industries, in the running for first prize,” Mr Souris said.

“The NSW Government is proud to once again support Tropfest, and we have renewed our support to continue funding this prestigious film event over the next three years, until 2015.

“NSW boasts 56 per cent of national screen businesses, and 40 per cent of Australia’s creative industries workforce are based here.

“More than 170,000 people across the State are directly employed in this sector in the areas of film, music, design and fashion. Tropfest shines a spotlight on the best of Australia’s upcoming and established film makers and consolidates our State’s position as a powerhouse of screen talent.

“Tropfest begins a world-class calendar of summer events on the Sydney and NSW Events Calendar which showcase the best of our State’s beaches, parks, Sydney’s magnificent harbour and our cosmopolitan city streets.

“Now in its new home at Centennial Park, it is wonderful to see this successful event, which has kick-started the screen careers of so many filmmakers from across Australia of all ages and experience, go from strength to strength.

“I would like to wish all finalists the best of luck with their films and I am looking forward to viewing them when Tropfest takes place at Sydney’s Centennial Park on 8 December.”

Tropfest December 2013 finalists are:

Title: Sorry Baby
Director: Spencer and Lloyd Harvey, NSW

Title: L.O.V.E Insurance for the Heart
Director: Rachel Lane, NSW Title: Stew
Director: Steven Woodburn, NSW

Title: Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense
Director: Tom Abood, NSW

Title: Bamboozled
Director: Matt Hardie, NSW

Title: Darkness Comes
Director: John Marsh, NSW

Title: Ariel
Director: Claude Gonzales, NSW

Title: Truth Is…
Director: Ben Davies, NSW

Title: The Squirrel King
Director: Dimitri Ellerington, NSW

Title: Off The Meter
Director: Carl Sorheim, VIC

Title: Makeover
Director: Don Percy, VIC

Title: Charades
Director: Julian Lucas, VIC

Title: Coping
Director: Kaiya Jones, VIC

Title: Sine
Director: Adrian Cabrie, VIC

Title: Still Life
Director: Martin Sharpe, VIC

Title: Revive
Director: Ruben Pracas, WA

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