Rising Stars: The Emerging Creatives Catching the Eyes of Our Biggest Stars

Tropfest has had many lives. It’s gone from an impromptu screening for 200 mates in a Darlinghurst cafe to the world’s biggest short film festival – and then through two cancellations. John Polson’s festival is a real chameleon.

But throughout every iteration, Tropfest has been a launching pad for emerging talent. The festival’s alumni include Sam Worthington, Rebel Wilson, Patrick Brammall, Harriet Dyer, Mia Wasikowska, David Wenham and both Nash and Joel Edgerton.

On February 22 at Centennial Park, the festival made its triumphant return.

A jury led by Margot Robbie, and featuring top-tier local and international filmmakers and performers like Sarah Snook, Taron Egerton, Danny Philippou, Bruna Papandrea, Dylan River, Charlotte White and James Cameron (via Zoom), judged the films of 16 finalists and crowned Sydneysider Lianne Mackessy the winner, awarding her a cash prize of $50,000 for her film Crescendo.

Broadsheet was there and we asked the stars which young creatives we should have on our radar.

Margot Robbie

“Honestly, the jury tonight is a pretty good example of our amazing filmmakers. I love the Philippou brothers, think they’re great. I meet with Aussie writers and filmmakers often, the guys that directed Birdeater, I was just with them before. I think they’re incredibly talented. Jack [Clark] and Jim [Weir].”

Thomas Weatherall

“There’s a really wonderful director, James J Robinson, who I feel like a lot of people know for his photography and his beautiful editorial and art photography, but he made his first feature [last year], First Light. It premiered at MIFF and went to Marrakech. And I’m excited to see what he does next.”

Taron Egerton

“There’s a British filmmaker [Harry Lighton] who made Pillion with Alex Skarsgard and Harry Melling. I thought that movie was awesome. And then in terms of Australian talent, there is a filmmaker, Charles [Williams], who made a film called Inside with Guy Pearce, Cosmo Jarvis and another wonderful young Australian actor. I thought that was mind-blowing.”

Claude Scott-Mitchell

“Neil Sharma, who I just saw a second ago. He’s an incredible director, who I feel like is breaking out into LA, which is always cool to see. He’s awesome.”

Maddison Brown

“I work with a lot of really incredibly talented young actors on Home and Away, so I think everyone should be talking about them. Sophia Pennington, who plays my little sister. She’s just a gun.”

Alycia Debnam-Carey

“The boys who did Talk to Me, [Danny and Michael Philippou]. Let’s talk about them more!”

Danny Philippou

“We’re gonna find someone to talk about tonight – and that’s the point of Tropfest. Let’s go! That’s what’s so exciting. We might find someone [tonight] that we’re going to be talking about for the next 30 years. It’s so exciting. I cannot wait to see the films.