Shopping angst wins film prize
MELBOURNE filmmaker Greta Nash has won Tropfest for a film inspired by a shopping trip taken with her mum.
Her short film, Two Piece, was chosen by a jury, headed up by Hollywood actress Susan Sarandon, to take home the top prize at the annual short film festival in Parramatta Park in Sydney’s west on Saturday night.
The film depicts a teenager’s shopping trip to find a swimsuit for a family trip to the beach.
“I was inspired to write it after I was at a film festival last year and had to find a dress for opening night,” Nash said.
“I found a dress and I loved it but it was a little bit tight – but I was told it was the largest size. And so I left, but I took it out on my mum.”
Nash captured the teen angst a shopping trip can bring up for a young girl in her seven-minute film.
“For me, it’s just about not being able to see yourself because of self-esteem issues or body image,” she said.
Oscar-winner Sarandon flew in to Sydney a few days before the event to lead the jury of the 26th Tropfest, which included Lion director Garth Davis, actress Rachel Griffiths, documentary maker Jennifer Peedom and actor Rob Collins.
“I will be looking for a creative, courageous, well-executed seven-minute film,” Sarandon said before the event.
Nash won out of 16 finalists who incorporated the signature item, a rose, into their film. This was the second year that Tropfest, which had its beginnings in an inner-city Sydney cafe in 1993, had taken place in Parramatta in the city’s west.
Nash will take home $10,000 in cash and a new Holden car valued at more than $45,000.
She will also spend a week in Los Angeles meeting agents and studio executives as part of her prize.