Movie lovers in Oklahoma City will join over 100,000 film enthusiasts around the world Sept. 24 – Oct. 3 when the 24th Annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival – which bills itself as “The World’s First Global Film Festival” – screens in the Noble Theater at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.
“The MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival is a fun opportunity to join a global community of film lovers, while also supporting and celebrating a new generation of filmmakers and actors,” said Lisa Broad, head of film programming and theatrical operations. “It is an incredibly unique festival in that each year’s winners are selected entirely by the audience. I am continually impressed by the quality of the program – many of the short films go on to be Oscar-nominated – and am looking forward to this year’s screenings.”
This year’s Final Ten MANHATTAN SHORT finalists hail from eight countries with films from the U.K., Afghanistan, Northern Ireland, Norway, Italy and Canada, alongside two films each from France and USA. These Final Ten selections represent the best short films from among 970 submissions from 70 countries received by MANHATTAN SHORT for 2021, a testament to the enduring vibrancy and creativity of short films worldwide. All Final Ten short films will be eligible for Academy Award nominations.
The MANHATTAN SHORT finalists for 2021 are “Archibald’s Syndrome” (Daniel Perez, France); “Aurora “(Jo Meuris, USA); “Bad Omen” (Salar Pashtoonyar, Afghanistan); “Closed to the Light” (Nicola Piovesan, Italy); “Death By Handshake” (Hudson Flynn, USA); “Ganef” (Mark Rosenblatt, UK); “The Kicksled Choir” (Torfinn Iversen, Norway); “Monsieur Cachemire” (Iouri Philippe Paillé, Canada); “Out of Time” (Delphine Montaigne, France); “Rough” (Adam Patterson & Declan Lawn, Northern Ireland).
The MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival continues to be a showcase for new voices and perspectives. “Death By Handshake” director Hudson Flynn, for example, was just 16 years old when he created his wry nod to New York City living during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Humor also pervades films like “Rough” from Northern Ireland, France’s “Archibald’s Syndrome” and “Monsieur Cachemire” of Canada. Both directed by female filmmakers, “Out of Time” and the animated “Aurora” offer close studies of different stages of existence from French and American perspectives.
Short films tackling big topics include Norway’s “The Kicksled Choir,” which offers a refreshing look at conflict resolution, while “Bad Omen” examines how a woman copes with stark circumstances in Afghanistan. “Closed to the Light” reaches back in time to focus on a riveting moment in World War II Italy, while the UK’s “Ganef” examines that war’s trickle-down effect on subsequent generations.
All ten finalists will be shown back-to-back at each screening. Cinema lovers across the United States and around the globe will become instant film critics as they are handed a ballot upon entry that allows them to cast their votes for Best Film and Best Actor. Votes will be sent through to MANHATTAN SHORT HQ with the winner announced at ManhattanShort.com on Monday, Oct 4.
OKCMOA MANHATTAN SHORT Schedule
Friday, Sept. 24 | 5 & 8 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 25 | 2, 5 & 8 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 26 | 12:30 & 3:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 1 | 5 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 2 | 2 & 8 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 3 | 12:30 & 3:30 p.m.
