MANHATTAN SHORT 2026

Ten Short Films from Ten Countries.

A Filmic Olympiad
Global Audience to Decide the Winner.

You Be the Judge!
Sept 24 — Oct 4

Film lovers world-wide will unite in over 500 locations between September 24 — October 4, for one reason…to view and vote on the ten Finalists Films in the 29th Annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival.

The 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.

Some friends and I went to this at one of our local libraries last night. It is the 2nd year I’ve attended and will continue to go each year as long as our wonderful library system keeps bringing it to us.

The format is that 10 movies are shown, with an intermission halfway through. After all movies have been viewed, each viewer casts a ballot and votes for ONE film and ONE actor/actress, puts their ballot in a basket, and the librarian sends the votes to the organizers. Instead of typing them all out, I have scanned the sheet we were given last night that talks about each film. Please note that each one has been created in a different country, which is a first for the festival.

Also please note, there is still plenty of time for you to see these shorts and vote. The festival is showing at over 500 venues. If you go to the website, you can find out where and when they are showing, through October 4. I would heartily encourage you to make the effort. It was a great audience that really got into the movies. It felt like one big family!

A final word: I really wish they would go over to ranked voting for it. It was VERY difficult to choose just one! They are each excellent in their own way.