Film lovers in Sedona will join film enthusiasts around the world to view and judge the work of the next generation of filmmakers when the 27th Annual Manhattan Short Film Festival screens at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre, Sept. 27-Oct. 3, hosted by the Sedona International Film Festival.
Manhattan Short is the only event of its kind. The ten Finalists will screen simultaneously across the world during a one-week period, with the Best Film and Best Actor awards determined by ballots cast by the audiences in each participating venue. By virtue of their selection by Manhattan Short, each short film is automatically Oscar-qualified.
The Ten Manhattan Short Finalists hail from eight countries with films from United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Ukraine, Italy, France, Australia, Croatia, and Ireland as well as two films from the USA.
The Manhattan Short Final Ten are: The Talent (UK), I'm Not a Robot (The Netherlands), Mother (Ukraine), Dovecote (Italy), Pathological (USA), Alarms (France), Favourites (Australia), The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent (Croatia), Room Taken (Ireland), Jane Austen's Period Drama (USA).
Film synopsis are as follows:
THE TALENT: On the set of a luxury car commercial, an overlooked assistant seizes his chance to get noticed by the star. A tense exploration of masculinity, becoming and desire.
I’M NOT A ROBOT: A woman repeatedly fails a computer security test. Suddenly, her humanity is called into question.
MOTHER: At the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Katya decides to leave her hometown and take her mother. But mother is getting her nails done.
DOVECOTE: A small boat navigates the canals of Venice, Italy only to stop at a women's prison where an inmate is poised to rediscover freedom.
PATHOLOGICAL: A pathological liar wakes up one day to discover her lies have become true.
ALARMS: Pierre is diligently overseeing the completion of the tumultuous construction site under his responsibility, ensuring that progress doesn't come at the cost of safety.
FAVOURITES: Two parents face an impossible choice when their family camping trip goes terribly wrong.
THE MAN WHO COULD NOT REMAIN SILENT: Bosnia, 1993. Paramilitary forces stop a train in an ethnic cleansing operation. Only one man out of 500 passengers dares to stand up to them. A true story and winner of the 2024 Palme D'Or at Cannes.
ROOM TAKEN: A homeless man moves in with a blind woman who doesn't know he's there. A strange bond develops.
JANE AUSTEN’S PERIOD DRAMA: England, 1813. In the middle of a long-awaited marriage proposal, Miss Estrogenia Talbot gets her period. Her suitor, Mr. Dickley, mistakes the blood for an injury, and it soon becomes clear that his expensive education has missed a spot.
You Be the Judge!
Which of these final ten short films is best? That's up to a worldwide audience to decide. Cinema-goers across the United States and the globe will become instant film critics as they are handed a ballot upon entry that allows them to vote for the Best Film and Best Actor. Manhattan Short is the ultimate audience award that salutes the creative talents of both directors behind the camera and actors in front of it. Votes will be sent through to Manhattan Short HQ with the winner announced at ManhattanShort.com on Monday, Oct. 7.