Now in its 8th year, Projections is a photography competition with a twist. One of the few awards in which participants are asked to submit a themed series of photos in place of a single shot, the competition offers aspiring shutterbugs the chance to really test their mettle. Open to artists with less than three years professional experience, Projections is split into five distinct categories: Best Documentary Photographer; Best Commercial Photographer; Best Art Photographer; People’s Choice Award; and the grand prize, Best Overall Photographer.

The event has become somewhat of an exercise in talent spotting, as creative types gather to check out Australia’s future photography luminaries. In addition to a boosted professional profile, finalists are showered in prizes, master classes, snazzy productions of their work, critical acclaim, and the chance to win the ever-important people’s choice award (i.e. popularity contest). Suffice to say, the award attracts some worthy entrants.

In keeping with the expanded format of the entries, the showcase of Projections’ finalists is pretty much an iPhoto slideshow on crack. A full-blown cinematic event, complete with animation, graphics and a specially assembled soundtrack featuring tracks from Dead Letter Chorus, Edward Deer, Oliver Tank, Monique Brumby, Guerre, and The Shipwrecked, Projections 2011 seems set to live up to the high benchmark it set last year as part of the Head On Photo Festival.

A photography movie, upcoming talent, the excitement of awards, plus drinks and canapés to boot, the Projections finalist screening promises to be a – ahem – very snappy night out.

What: Projections 2011 Sydney screening

Where: Chauvel Cinema, Oxford St, Paddington

When: This Wednesday, 7.30pm

How much: $20/$25 including entry, drinks and canapés