SINGAPORE/NEW YORK – On June 23rd, the Motion Picture Association (MPA) partnered with Tropfest, the world’s largest short film festival to sponsor the top prize at Tropfest New York.

Josh Leake was named the winner for his film Emptys.

Josh Leake won the MPA First Prize of $20,000. The prize was awarded by members of a high profile judging panel including Rose Byrne (X Men: First Class, 28 Weeks Later), Judah Friedlander (30 Rock), Jennifer Westfeldt (Friends with Kids, Kissing Jessica Stein), producer Ted Hope (Dark Horse, 21 Grams, Adventureland), and renowned film critic and Associate Director of Programming at the Film Society of Lincoln Center, Scott Foundas.