Updated on Wednesday, January 07, 2009, 00:00 IST

Melbourne, Jan 07: Director Baz Luhrmann’s epic romance film ‘Australia’ has earned itself an Oscar nomination in the visual effects category.

According to The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the film would compete against The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Dark Knight, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Iron Man, Journey to the Centre of the Earth and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, for the same award.

However, the nominations would further be short listed to three after members of the academy''s visual effects branch would see a 15-minute extract from each film, followed by their screenings.

The top three to impress the judges would make it to the final nominations, to be announced on January 22, reports News.com.au.

The Oscars ceremony is scheduled to be held in Hollywood on February 22.

ANI