Parramatta Park will become the new home of Tropfest, the world’s largest short film festival, in a three-year deal aimed at securing the long-term future of the iconic Australian event, Environment and Heritage Minister Mark Speakman said today.

 The move to Parramatta will allow the 25-year-old festival to expand and attract a new and broader audience.

 “Parramatta Park is an impressive world-class heritage venue that will create an exciting new home for the festival, and the decision to hold Tropfest for the first time on a Saturday night will also allow more Sydneysiders to enjoy the show,” Mr Speakman said.

 “Greater Western Sydney, now home to more than 2 million people, has seen extraordinary growth in recent years and is still growing – Parramatta is a great place for a major event like Tropfest.”

 Tropfest will be held on Saturday 11 February 2017 at the Cattle Paddocks, a four-hectare festival setting in Parramatta Park.

 Tropfest Jr will be held on Friday 10 February, in The Crescent, Parramatta Park’s natural amphitheatre, as part of The Crescent Live program over summer.

 Tropfest founder John Polson said a partnership with Parramatta Park offered the festival greater opportunities and security for the future.

 “As Tropfest continues to grow it has become apparent we needed somewhere we could expand and take the festival to a wider audience,” he said.

 Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said Tropfest was a perfect fit for Parramatta Park.

 “Parramatta Park is a world-class destination that will cater for growing audiences while delivering a memorable experience for festival-goers,” Mr Lee said.

 Tropfest is free to attend. Parramatta Park is easily accessible by public transport.