Paging Jacki Weaver! Producers Announce All-Star Aussie Effort Sydney, I Love You

Great news for Team Jacki has just cleared the wires at Movieline HQ -- or at least potentially great news, or very likely great news: Two of Australia's most prominent film figures are moving ahead with Sydney, I Love You, the latest shorts compilation to round up an all-star cast in the service of vast urban appreciation. The goal is, in their words, "a love letter from Australia's top film talent to one of the great cities of the world" -- much in the spirit of the 2006 omnibus Paris Je Taime and its 2009 companion piece New York, I Love You.

Director/producer John Polson and producer Gary Hamilton are spearheading the effort, which has yet to announce confirmed cast or filmmakers. It appears there's not even a script yet. But that doesn't matter! Everyone's favorite 2011 Oscar nominee, Jacki Weaver, lives conveniently close-by in Sydney's Kings Cross neighborhood. And a wealth of other celebrated Aussies can pay a visit, too; if Hugh Jackman, Cate Blanchett, Guy Pearce, Naomi Watts, Hugo Weaving and/or Nicole Kidman aren't involved with this in some way by the production deadline next year, call Parliament House. Or just have Ben Mendelsohn play all the guys' parts and call it even. Full details below...

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Sydney, Australia, 28 June, 2011--Australian producers John Polson and Gary Hamilton today announced they will partner on a feature film entitled SYDNEY, I LOVE YOU, scheduled to go into production in early 2012. The film will be a love letter from Australia's top film talent to one of the great cities of the world.

Australia's biggest and brightest names will write, direct and star in SYDNEY, I LOVE YOU. The finished film will be comprised of 12 shorts--approximately 8-10 minutes each--with each one set in Sydney during a different month of the year.

The film positions Sydney among the great cities of love, affirming its place as one of the world's most inspiring destinations.

John Polson is an award-winning director and producer of film and television in Australia and the US, as well as founder/director of the world's largest short film festival, Tropfest. Gary Hamilton is Managing Director of Arclight Films International and producer of numerous successful films (including the recently completed BAIT and A FEW BEST MEN). Hamilton was recently cited as one of the ten most powerful Australians in the film industry by Encore Magazine.

Both self-described Sydney aficionados, Polson and Hamilton hatched the idea for the Sydney-inspired short film showcase at the Cannes Film Festival in May.

Polson said, "It's no secret some of the best directors, actors and others either live here or are from here. It's about time these people got together to tell stories that showcase one of the world's most beautiful cities."

Hamilton said, "We have always been committed to expanding the audience and influence of Australian cinema, and see this as a great opportunity to showcase our best talent."

The list of contributors to the project will range from some of Australia's best known "living legends" to up-and-comers who have recently shown great promise, possibly including some Tropfest alumni.

The stories will range across the board in terms of style and genre, but there will be thematic 'connective tissue' to ensure it plays as a whole. The score, too, will be created by one composer (yet to be determined) to ensure overall consistency to the finished feature film.

Polson and Hamilton said they have already begun the difficult process of narrowing down the list of interested and available talent.

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