Tropfest Finalist Film Disqualified

Tropfest Finalist Film Disqualified

Tropfest announced today the 2016 finalist film ‘Be Home Soon’ has been disqualified as a finalist after it was discovered a link to the first version of the film was posted on facebook.

Tropfest NZ Festival Manager Cleo Wood said they were upset for the Director, cast and crew who weren’t aware the film had been made public.

“It’s a really unfortunate situation. The Director, Emma Schranz has been working on the film for a number of years. Unbeknownst to her, the private YouTube link to the first version of her film was shared on facebook by a film company she has ties with.”

“Tropfest is about encouraging the production of films, for this reason Tropfest entry guidelines stipulate all entries, if selected as finalists must have their public screening premiere at Tropfest. The film became ineligible for selection as a finalist when it was made available for public viewing on facebook.”

“We research the finalist films and their creative teams before we announce the line-up as films have been known to be discovered online, however given the vastness of the internet we failed to discover the offending link in this situation.”

Wood said they were notified of the facebook post from a fellow finalist in the 2016 competition through an anonymous email account. “I told Emma, if she can find a positive angle in this episode it’s that she must be considered a threat amongst her filmmaking peers.”

Schranz was a Tropfest finalist in 2014 with her film ‘Charlie Floyd’s Visionarium’ which won the Best use of VFX award (sponsored by Yoobee School of Design).

Schranz said she is extremely apologetic to the other finalists. “They might feel like I entered Tropfest with dishonest intentions, I can assure you I did not. I am also sorry to the beautiful cast and crew of 'Be Home Soon' who like me, worked their butts off to create this gorgeous film.

“To those who, like me, were so excited our little movie with a big heart was a finalist at Tropfest, Fear not, the film will still have its day in the sun.”

The disqualification means another film and filmmaker will have their big night at Tropfest on February 27th, 2016. The film selected to replace ‘Be Home Soon’ is directed by Hamiltonian Peter Young, titled ‘Making it Better’. Young was thrilled to receive the news of his films selection yesterday, sayings he’s entered Tropfest before but this is his first time making it to the finals.

Tropfest NZ will take place on February 2017, at the TSB Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth.

ENDS

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