The City of Sydney has launched a new iPhone App to encourage people to capture a 12-second video from their 2011 New Year’s Eve celebrations for inclusion in a short film to mark Australia’s biggest event of the year.

The free App allows users to edit and upload a 12-second video which will then be edited into a short film and distributed online within hours through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. People are also encouraged to share their dreams for 2012 in eight words or less.

The App includes an interactive map of the best vantage points for the 9pm Family Fireworks and Midnight Fireworks Displays, information about events happening around the city, tips on how to plan the night and easy entry to a NYE photo competition.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the City recognised it was important to provide quick and easy ways for people to access information.

“An increasing number of people use smart phones and rely on Apps to find information and interact with each other. As a council we want to make sure we are providing the information that people need in the way they want to receive it,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Our App gives users real time notifications of vantage points, road closures and events. People can also find out about crowd capacities, ensuring a safe and great night out.”

The initiative is part of a Tourism Australia and City of Sydney joint venture called Project :12 to promote Sydney to the world.

Andrew McEvoy, Managing Director, Tourism Australia said he was always looking for new and different ways to demonstrate why there’s no other country like Australia.

“Project :12 allows us to do just that - in this case, by showcasing New Year’s Eve in Sydney. Using popular social media platforms, the content captured in this short film will be distributed globally and allow people to share in one of world’s most spectacular New Year celebrations,” Mr McEvoy said.

The City is also hosting a photo competition and people can enter by uploading photos from the night via the App or the City’s website. The winner will receive:
·      A new camera;
·      $200 JB HiFi voucher;
·      $200 worth of music CDs; and
·      Two VIP tickets to the 2012 Sydney New Year’s Eve Dawe’s Point Viewing Area.

Sydney.mobi
To find out all the latest news and information whilst in Sydney. City.Mobi has launched its new guide to the city.

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