Lemonade Stand Takes Out Tropfest

February, 2012

A star-studded cast of international and Australian film stars celebrated the 20th anniversary of Tropfest in Sydney yesterday, which saw Alethea Jones’ Lemonade Stand take out the short film festival title.

In spite of some lightning-filled weather, the prestigious event attracted a whopping live audience of more than 150,000 people to the largest short film festival in the world, with many more tuning into broadcasts across the country including one on the Glenelg foreshore. 

The judging panel was comprised of a star-filled line-up of Oscar winners and Australian icons, including Geoffrey Rush, Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman and Toni Collette. The likes of Baz Luhrmann, Tobey Maguire and Chris Lilley also flocked to attend the big event in celebration of the Australian film industry.

Melbourne director Alethea Jones is no stranger to prestige, with two Audience Choice awards under her belt already. Her film Lemonade Stand, about two close friends and the titular stand they run, won the first prize award from the judging panel.

“I signed up to Centrelink two weeks ago,” Jones remarked, “so this changes everything for me.” She takes home a prize including $10,000 and a trip to Los Angeles to meet with film industry executives.

Second prize was awarded to Rupert Reid for his work Boo!, which also took home the Best Male Actor and Telstra Crowd Pleaser Award. Michael Noonan was awarded third prize for his work ‘Photo Booth’.

Tropfest sets its sights on Vegas in June of this year, with a screening event that will exhibit the finest films the festival has to offer from its illustrious two decades. 

Joshua Pawlowski