Sydney, Australia: Starlight Outdoor Cinema Hosts a Short Film Festival

Sydney's Starlight Cinema launched “Starlight Shorts,” an open-air short film competition at North Sydney Oval. Filmmakers of any age were invited to submit films up to 8 minutes long, made after December 1, 2007, in 35mm or DVD format. Entries closed December 12; 28 finalists were chosen to screen on Starlight Cinema's 16m × 8m inflatable movie screen during the January 14 – March 1 season.

Judges were led by Australian cinematographer Anna Howard (Hey Hey It's Esther Blueburger). Prizes included cash, camera equipment, and filmmaking courses for the top three places, plus an Audience Award voted by season attendees. The season opened with Baz Luhrmann's Australia and also featured Tropic Thunder, Mamma Mia!, Frost/Nixon, and family titles.