"Tropfest is the lightning. The Foundation is the bottle that captures and sustains it."

John Polson
Tropfest Founder

Renowned as the ultimate launchpad for Australian stories, Tropfest has spent more than three decades helping to transform emerging filmmakers into established professionals, working both locally and globally.

That legacy now continues thanks to the newly established Tropfest Foundation - a permanent not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing year-round opportunities for the next generation of Australian storytellers. From scholarships and mentorships to career pathways and more, the Foundation exists to ensure Australia’s creative screen talent can thrive at home and on the world stage.

The Foundation is guided by a visionary board who bring experience, influence, and a shared passion for storytelling

Sarah Murdoch
Tropfest Foundation Chair

John Polson
Tropfest Founder & Director / Producer

Bryan Brown
Actor & Producer

Peter V’landys
Chair, Australian Rugby League Commission, and CEO Racing NSW

Richard Weinberg
CEO, Terrace Tower Group

Education & Mentorship: A cornerstone of the Foundation will be a new Tropfest Educational Initiative, presented in collaboration with YouTube in the lead up to the Tropfest ‘main event’. This program will offer workshops, talks, and mentorship opportunities designed to give emerging filmmakers the access and tools they need to hone their craft and stand out in an increasingly competitive industry.