Tropfest, the world’s largest short film festival, hits New York tonight, with a free screening at the World Financial Center, complete with D.J.’s and musical acts, and a live satellite hookup to Toronto. Originating in Australia, the festival’s aim is to bring together audiences in different cities to simultaneously watch the finalist films as they have their world premieres. (All the shorts submitted are created for Tropfest — each must feature the fest’s signature item. This year, it’s sunflowers.) A panel of judges including Julianne Moore, Billy Crudup and Malcolm Gladwell will then help select the night’s best film. Alongside the finalists premiering tonight, the festival also announces runners-up, which will screen online. Among these, one of our favorites is Doga, Andrew Cooke’s hilarious mockumentary about a yogi who might be longing a bit too hard for the trappings of modern life.
