Warning: this story contains spoilers about the winning film.
Sydney filmmaker Matt Hardie has been widely criticised for his comedic short Bamboozled, which last night won the 22nd Tropfest short film festival.
The film tells the story of Pete Hastings, who sleeps with his ex-girlfriend Helen, who is now living as a man, only to discover – after the pair fall drunkenly into bed together – that he has been the victim of an elaborate media prank. Though warmly received by the Tropfest judges, Bamboozled has been described as both homophobic and transphobic by its detractors, many of whom have taken to Twitter to voice their concerns.
