Dunst, Hudson and Wilson line up to shoot shorts

Kirsten Dunst, Kate Hudson and Rita Wilson are following in the footsteps of Jennifer Aniston by directing short films, based on true stories submitted to American magazine Glamour.

The stars will all make their directorial debuts - as Aniston did last year.

The actresses have each been given an estimated $500,000 (€363,000) to shoot their movies for the publication's third annual Reel Moments.

They have just three days to shoot their films.

The January issue of Glamour asked its readers to send in stories about an event in their lives which left them feeling strong, wise or happy. Dunst, Hudson and Wilson then selected a submission to film.

Hudson has cast her mother's longtime partner Kurt Russell and Dakota Fanning in her film, while Wilson has signed up Jeanne Tripplehorn and Aisha Tyler to star in hers.

A panel will select a winner at the October 9 Los Angeles premiere of the three shorts.

Actresses who have taken part in previous years include Aniston (whose 2006 film Room 10 won the Best Short Award at the CineVegas Festival) Gwyneth Paltrow and Bryce Dallas Howard.