When most people think of film festivals, images of Sundance and Cannes float through one's mind. Visions are conjured of fancy dresses and overpriced tuxedos containing popular actors and directors off to see their new million dollar projects.
However, Troma Films takes the pretentious red carpet banter and atmosphere of these events and turns them on their head.Even the Brooklyn Hipsters can't believe their eyes! No red carpet or $50,000 dresses at TROMADANCE, in fact sometimes no clothes at all!;
Troma founder Lloyd Kaufman (Creator of the Toxic Avenger) is more than a bit eccentric and has been known to adopt a "give art back to the people!" attitude, outraged at the elitism of the aforementioned festivals. 17 years ago, Lloyd's friends Trey Parker and Matt Stone (now the creators of South Park) submitted their first film, "Cannibal! The Musical" to Sundance and didn't get so much as a rejection letter. In protest, they set up their own space in the Sundance area and with the help of Kaufman screened their film, for free, on their own. This gave Kaufman the idea to screen true independent films in the Sundance area for free as protest against the elitist bureaucrats of showbiz. Lloyd's venture successfully enraged Robert Redford and the Sundance higher-ups, earning Tromadance positive press and support from Utah locals.
What made and continues to make Tromadance unique is it its founding principal of being entirely free .There is [bold] no charge to submit a film, and no charge to attend the festival. In addition, their parties never have any V.I.P policies.
Tromadance had the distinction of hosting the first ever North American screening of the now classic cult film "The Human Centipede", as it seems no other film festival had the guts to show it.
Other past titles shown at Tromadance include "Banana Motherf••ker" and "Science Team".
This year the festival is showing films such as "Artichoke Piranhas from the Prehistoric", "Eye in Tuna Can," and "Le Pedophile".
In between showings, panels will be held with many talented underground and even mainstream artists and actors discussing their craft with the audience. Although the panels are aimed at promoting purely independent art, past panelists have included such bigger names as James Gunn, (director of Guardians of the Galaxy,) the producers of Napoleon Dynamite, and Ti West! (House of the Devil, Drinking Buddies)
After the festival, Troma will hold one of their legendary after-parties (or an "After-Potty", as Kaufman puts it) for their guests 21 and over for a suggested donation of 10 dollars. There will be live music, alcohol, and of course, Troma stars and fans. Last year the party was, among other things, host to a performance freaks and performance artists like world famous Ventiko,wearing dresses made entirely of milk cartons.
We can't wait for our fans to attend one of the most subversive, revolutionary and unique film festivals out there," says Kaufman, "and we guarantee this will be the craziest Tromadance ever!"
The 16th Annual Tromadance will be held from July 24-25 2015 at The Paperbox Theater in Williamsburg. For more information go to http://tromadance.com
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