The short film festival has teamed up with Starz Cinema, NBC 4 and WNYC Radio, Citi, Thompson Hotels and Film Society Lincoln Center to launch the June event.

Festival finallists will screen their short in front of a live audience and celebrity judges with a chance to win $20,000.

“We couldn’t be more delighted to be launching here with this astonishing group of partners,” Tropfest founder and director John Polson said. “Each of the robust partnerships we’ve built with these A-list brands will add value for our attendees, expand our reach, and ensure that Tropfest New York is an event befitting this great city.”

Ambassadors in support of the US launch include Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Anthony Lapaglia, Charles Randolph, Geoffrey Rush and Liev Schreiber.

The event will take place on Jun 23 and is free and open to the public. For more details filmmakers should click here.