Target Presents Tropfest@Tribeca - World's Largest Short Film Festival
Source: Tribeca Enterprises
Date: 7/18/07

NEW YORK — The Tropfest@Tribeca film festival announced today that 16 finalists will be chosen to compete for the Target Filmmaker Award, which includes a cash prize of $10,000 and two round-trip tickets to Australia.

Target will present Tropfest@Tribeca on Sunday, September 23, 2007, and will show selected films at a free public outdoor exhibition at the World Financial Center Plaza, alongside the Hudson River. The films will be judged onsite by a jury of well-known actors and filmmakers to be announced at a later date.

Tropfest@Tribeca is a distinct festival that challenges filmmakers to incorporate a new Tropfest Signature Item (TSI) into their submissions. Every year, the item changes. This year, the Signature Item will be "SLICE." Film submissions must be seven minutes or less.

Tropfest@Tribeca will accept submissions for the Target Filmmaker Award until August 10, 2007. Further rules and instructions for submissions can be found at http://www.tribecafilm.com/tropfest.

Tropfest@Tribeca was created to recognize the critical role that short films play in the art of filmmaking and to offer a platform for emerging filmmakers to create and showcase their films. Last year's winner of the first Tropfest@Tribeca, Matthew Bonifacio, premiered his first feature-length film, Amexicano, at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival.

"Tropfest@Tribeca has already proved itself as a unique platform for discovering new and original filmmakers," said John Polson, founder of Tropfest. "Each year, I continue to be surprised at the unique — and sometimes bizarre — ways our entrants interpret the TSI. I'm looking forward to this year's event and what they'll do with SLICE!"

In its inaugural year, Tropfest@Tribeca 2006 was hosted by The Daily Show's Ed Helms, along with seven judges: Famke Janssen, Naomi Watts, Matt Dillon, Caroline Baron, Charles Randolph, Anthony LaPaglia, and Darren Aronofsky. The winner received a cash award of $2,500 and editing software.

About Tribeca Enterprises

Tribeca Enterprises is a diversified multi-platform media company located in New York City. Established in 2003 by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff, the company currently operates a network of branded entertainment businesses, including the Tribeca Film Festival, Tribeca Cinemas, Tropfest@Tribeca, and Tomorrow Unlimited. The company's mission is to provide artists with unique platforms to expand the audience for their works and to broaden the access point for consumers to experience independent film and media.

About Tropfest

Tropfest, founded by John Polson, is the world's largest short film festival and Australia's most beloved public cultural event. The central aim of Tropfest is to stimulate the production of short films and provide an audience for the work of Australia's emerging filmmakers. The festival began in the early 1990s when John Polson approached a local cafe to screen his short film for cast, crew, and friends. The film, entitled Surry Hills: 902 Spring Roll, drew an amazing crowd of 200 people. Inspired, Polson decided that a short film festival was the next step.

In 1993, the Tropicana Short Film Festival was born. Now known as Sony Tropfest, the festival is the premiere creative platform for aspiring filmmakers in Australia. The films are screened live via satellite to unique outdoor settings in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth, and Hobart.

About Target

Minneapolis-based Target serves guests at 1,502 stores in 47 states nationwide by delivering today's best retail trends and affordable prices. Target is committed to providing guests with great design through innovative products, in-store experiences and community partnerships. Whether visiting a Target store or shopping online at Target.com, guests enjoy a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to thousands of unique and highly differentiated items. Target gives more than $3 million a week to its local communities through grants and special programs. Since opening in 1962, Target has partnered with nonprofit organizations, guests and team members to help meet community needs.

CONTACT: Tammie Rosen of Tribeca Enterprises at 212-941-2003 or
trosen@tribecaenterprises.com.