17th annual Manhattan Short Film Festival to screen at LBI Foundation Sept. 26

Cinemagoers will become instant film critics during the screening of the 17th annual Manhattan Short Film Festival at the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences Friday, Sept. 26, at 8 p.m. The global event will unite filmgoers in over 250 cities on six continents to view and judge the work of the next generation of filmmakers.

Photo via Manhattan Short
"The Bravest, The Boldest," directed by Monn
Molson, captures the story of a mother
who tries to avoid terrible news.

“This film festival will unite people in all corners of the globe, from Sydney to Mumbai, from Buenos Aires to Cairo,” Nicholas Mason, founding director of Manhattan Short, said in a press release. “Venues also include cinemas in 20 cities in the Ukraine, 40 cities in Russia and 47 states in the USA. In times like these, cross-border events like Manhattan Short that contribute toward greater tolerance and understanding are needed more than ever.

“I want to thank and congratulate all the filmmakers and cinemas involved in this global cinematic event. This project is not going to cable TV or video on demand; it’s about communities bonding together via their local cinema,” he added.

This year’s festival, which received 589 short film submissions from 47 countries, includes 10 films by filmmakers from England, Norway, Australia, Netherlands, France, Mexico, Germany and the United States. The films are set in diverse locations, including outer space, Mexico, Norway and the streets of New York, Berlin, London and Amsterdam. Finalists include “97%” by Ben Brand; “The Bravest, The Boldest” by Monn Molson; “Crime – The Animated Series” by Alix Lambert and Sam Chou; “The Fall” by Andreas Thaulow; “La Carnada” by Josh Soskin; “Mend And Make Do” by Bexie Bush; “On The Bridge” by Elena Fuller; “On/Off” by Thierry Lorenzi; “Rhino Full Throttle” by Erik Schmitt; and “Shift” by James Croke.

After the viewing, the audience will vote for best film and best actor. The winners will be announced online on Monday, Oct. 6, at 10 a.m.

Tickets cost $10 each and can be purchased at the door. To reserve a space, call LBIF at 609-494-1241.

For more information, visit manhattanshort.com.

— Kelley Anne Essinger

This article was published in The SandPaper.