Tropfest is the largest short film festival in the world. Truly an innovative concept and platform for filmmakers of diverse backgrounds to gain exposure and experience, Tropfest has become one of the world's best springboards for emerging film talent. Since it began in a cafe in Sydney, Australia in the early 1990s, 25 years young, Tropfest has become a global phenomenon. The Tropfest mission is to continue to develop the most exciting forum in the world for audiences to come together and celebrate premium short films; and to continue to offer filmmakers a bigger and better stage from which to launch their professional careers. Tropfest distinguishes itself from other events by being a 'content generation' platform, rather than merely an exhibition platform. Filmmakers are required to create new works for the festival which must include an item, known as the "Tropfest Signature Item" (TSI) and which changes each year. Films must be less than 7 minutes (including titles and credits) and be world premieres at the Tropfest event. Tropfest is a not-for-profit organisation.