Target Presents Tropfest@Tribeca - World's Largest Short Film Festival, Tropfest, Returns Stateside - and Challenges You to Take a 'Slice' at the Competition

Target Presents Tropfest@Tribeca - World's Largest Short Film Festival, Tropfest, Returns Stateside - and Challenges You to Take a 'Slice' at the Competition

Winner to Receive $10,000 Target Filmmaker Award and Two Round Trip Airline Tickets to Sydney, Australia

NEW YORK, July 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Tropfest@Tribeca, created by Tribeca Enterprises and John Polson, founder of Tropfest -- the world's largest short film festival -- announced today that 16 finalists will be chosen to compete for the Target Filmmaker Award of an unrestricted cash prize of $10,000 and two round trip tickets on to Australia, home of the original Tropfest, from Qantas Airways and Tourism Australia. Target will present Tropfest@Tribeca on Sunday, September 23, 2007 where the selected films will premiere at a free public outdoor festival, held 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, as well as Tropfest, is a distinct festival which each year challenges filmmakers to incorporate a new Tropfest Signature Item (TSI) into their submissions. Every year the item changes; this year when Target presents Tropfest@Tribeca the Signature Item will be "SLICE." In addition to the inclusion of the TSI, films must be seven minutes or under in running time and be making their first public screening. With infinite interpretations, creativity is limitless.

Tropfest@Tribeca is currently accepting submissions to compete for the $10,000 Target Filmmaker Award and trip to Australia through August 10, 2007. Further rules and instructions for submissions can be found at http://www.tribecafilm.com/tropfest.

Tropfest@Tribeca was created in the spirit of the original Australian Tropfest 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 to diverse audiences. Last year's winner of the first Tropfest@Tribeca, Matthew Bonifacio, went on to premiere 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. "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!"

"Target is proud to present Tropfest@Tribeca, an evening which will showcase diverse creativity and engage wide audiences," said Laura Sandall, director, events marketing and publicity, Target. "We strive to make the arts affordable and accessible to communities and are excited to award one independent filmmaker $10,000 to help bring their vision to fruition."

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 by the turn out, Polson decided that a short film festival was the next step. In 1993 the Tropicana Short Film Festival was born, named after the cafe venue, The Tropicana Caffe.

Now known as Sony Tropfest, the festival is the premiere creative platform for aspiring filmmakers in Australia. The films screen live via satellite to unique outdoor settings in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth, and Hobart to audiences in excess of 150,000 and is supported by many of Australia's most established film identities.

   For more information please visit http://www.tropfest.com/.    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 (NYSE:TGT) gives more than $3 million a week to its local communities through grants and special programs. Since opening in 1962, Target gas partnered with nonprofit organizations, guests and team members to help meet community needs.

Source: Tribeca Enterprises

CONTACT: Tammie Rosen of Tribeca Enterprises, +1-212-941-2003 or
trosen@tribecaenterprises.com

Web site: http://www.tribecafilm.com/tropfest
http://www.tropfest.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment