Ian Harrington, Chris Lopataand Abdallah Omeish have been named as finalists in the inaugural Skyy Short FilmProject: One Script, Three Different Film-makers, Three Very Different Films toshoot in New York City this spring.

The trio beat off pitchesfrom hundreds of aspiring film-makers following the event's launch at Sundancelast year and must now prepare for their final challenge of filming afive-minute short in 72 hours based on the same screenplay.

Adam and Mark Kassen ofShades of Gray Productions will produce all three films. The winner will get an advertisement in a daily LosAngeles publication, a DV film package, a screening of their film in New YorkCity and the chance to pitch top industry professionals.

Los Angeles-based Harringtonhas worked on films including Man On The Moon, Death To Smoochy,and Duplex. He is currentlyworking on a documentary aboutchildren in Northern Ireland.

Lopata lives in New York andhis short films include Burning House Of Love and Open Season. He is planning to shoot his first feature Sucker Punch in and aroundNew York City with producers Paul Greenstone and Jesse L Martin.

Los Angeles-based Omeishhails from Tripoli, Libya, and worked as a photojournalist and internationalrelief organisation worker. He has been in Los Angeles since 1999 and worked onthe One World show and JohnSingleton's Baby Boy and is currently co-producing Occupation 101, about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.