Tim Minchin to play Tropfest, more judges announced

Tim Minchin has been added as a performer to Tropfest’s main event, held on Saturday (February 17) at Parramatta Park in Sydney.

The selection of a winner from 16 finalists will be broadcast live around the country from 8pm on ABC COMEDY, as well as on YouTube globally.

The broadcast is hosted by Double J’s Zan Rowe and comedian Susie Youssef of The Chaser’s Media Circus.

Tropfest Australia, supported by foundation partner CGU Insurance, also announced additions to the judging panel.

Primetime Emmy-nominated filmmaker Garth Davis (Lion), BAFTA-nominated Aussie documentarian Jennifer Peedom (Mountain) and Logie award-winning Indigenous actor Rob Collins (Cleverman) join Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon.

More jurors will be unveiled through this week.

Festivities begin from 10am at Event Cinemas Parramatta with Trop Jr. hosted by Andrew Ryan (Tomorrow, When the War Began) and Kristy Best (Neighbours).

Trop Jr will premiere 17 works from filmmakers aged 15 and under. The event is free but on a first come first served basis.

The Trop Jr winner will be selected by a panel of young Aussie screen stars, including: Lincoln Younes (Home and Away), Madeleine Clunies-Ross (A Place to Call Home), Sean Keenan (Puberty Blues), Julian Maroun (Romper Stomper), Tiarnie Coupland (Neighbours), Penny McNamee (Home and Away) and winner of Trop Jr 2017 Nick Ward.

Since his win, Ward has earned a spot in the 2018 Tropfest Finalists line-up screening later that night.

From midday the action moves to The Crescent in Parramatta Park, with entertainment throughout the afternoon.

These include a flick and BYO booze while live music from 4pm with the 15-piece the Latin-rhythm Cumbia orchestra Cumbiamuffin and R&B singer Thandi Phoenix.