These are some of the films all short and some sweet chosen this week as finalists in the 2009 Herald 2 Minute Showdown.

As selected by the judges, the best eight entries in the micro-movie challenge can be viewed online at www.theherald.com.au so readers can vote for their favourite.

Showdown entrants were asked to submit a two-minute, in-camera-edited film for the chance to share in more than $6000 in cash and prizes.

Films had to include four of five items celebrating Hunter life: jet, the lake, castle, The Herald and wind turbine.

Newcastle's Shoot Out 24-Hour Film-Making Festival may be in hiatus in 2009 but the quality of this year's Showdown entries suggests do-it-yourself movie-making is thriving in the Hunter Region.

The final contenders include a heart-tugging drama, a bus-stop romance, a serene video postcard from Lake Macquarie and a vampire frightener.

Lending a Hollywood touch is Thong Man Reads Again, a sequel to one of the hit films of last year's Showdown.

And, true to Hollywood form, the sequel loads up with more action, more special effects and louder music.

The quality of scripts, performances, camera work, sound and lighting varies between the finalists but these backyard Baz Luhrmanns show wit and ingenuity with their no-budget effects.

Bus Stop Diaries, starring Connor Lentfer from last year's winning film, even includes a homage to Luhrmann's epic Australia and Hugh Jackman's sudsy, slow-motion outdoor bathing scene.

Josh Garroway's Squib is a painstakingly animated stop-motion plasticine frolic while Geoff Peel ropes in ABC radio soccer caller Aaron Kearney to lend aural authenticity to his stirring Socceroo.

NOW, IT'S OVER TO YOU TO PICK YOUR FAVOURITE