Toni Collette is set to make her directorial debut for a new Australian compilation project.

The actress, along with stars including Russell Crowe, Liev Schreiber and Anthony LaPaglia, has joined a group of 12 filmmakers who will each direct a short for the new picture Sydney Unplugged.

Director John Polson, who founded the Sydney based Tropfest short film festival, has gathered a host of big names together to work on a tribute to the city.

The odes to Sydney have been inspired by similar work such as New York, I Love You and Paris Je T’aime.

”It’s no secret some hugely talented directors, actors and others either live here or are from here,” Polson explained. “It’s about time this talent got together to tell stories that showcase one of the world’s most beautiful cities. The people that have stepped up to take part in this project are beyond our wildest dreams.”

Other names involved in the feature include Alex Proyas, Rachel Ward and Ray Lawrence.

The project will be partly funded by Screen Australia and produced by Polson and Arclight Films' Gary Hamilton.

Shooting is scheduled to begin around Sydney later this year.

Sydney Unplugged will be released in Australia by Icon Film Distribution in 2013 and sold internationally by Arclight Films.