Australian Story on ABC and ABC iview profiles John Polson – Tropfest, one of the world’s largest short film festivals, returned this year after a six-year break and no-one was happier than founder, John Polson.
Created by Polson in 1993 at Sydney’s Tropicana Caffe, Tropfest has been a launching pad for Australian film talent,from the Edgerton brothers t oRebel Wilson to director Justin Kurzel.
Its success was a huge achievement for Polson, whose troubled childhood almost led him down a different path..
“He was seconds away from prison … he was delinquent,”
– says friend and film producer Bruna Papandrea.
Then, in a sliding doors moment, Polson discovered acting.
“Suddenly I was part of a community.”
– says Polson.
“Acting saved me.”
Polson’s career took off and eventually he moved to the US where he established himself as a director and showrunner, while staying involved with Tropfest.
But then in 2020 the festival collapsed.
“I was devastated,”
– says Polson.
“I was like, really? Is it just dead?”
Now with a new board behind it, Tropfest’s future seems assured.
The Hustler includes interviews with director George Miller, actor Simon Baker and producer Bruna Papandrea.
Australian Story on ABC and ABC iview – Monday 11 May, 2026 at 8.00pm
Media Release – ABC
TV Central ABC content HERE
Australian Story on ABC and ABC iview profiles John Polson
