It brings together emerging filmmakers, industry voices and creative leaders for honest conversations, practical learning and meaningful connection.

Tropfest Roughcut is for emerging and early-career filmmakers who want to take their ideas further. Across talks, workshops and live sessions, Roughcut delivers practical tools, real insight, and direct access to people shaping the future of Australian storytelling.

While Tropfest has long championed the art of the short film, Roughcut shifts the focus to what comes next - bridging the gap between short-form creation and long-form career sustainability. The program is designed as a dedicated market-readiness accelerator, supporting filmmakers as they transition from emerging talent to sustainable creative practitioners.

Across two days, Tropfest Roughcut will bring together emerging filmmakers, students, Tropfest finalists and shortlisted filmmakers for a curated program of keynotes, panel discussions, case studies and hands-on workshops. Sessions will explore craft, audience, platforms, financing, creative development and the evolving screen landscape,  delivering tangible learning outcomes and rare access to industry insight.