Manhattan Short
The World's First Global Film Festival

MANHATTAN SHORT 2025
is Here!
Global Audience Vote for Best Short Film
You Be the Judge!
Sept 25 — Oct 5

Film lovers world-wide will unite in over 500 locations between September 25 — October, 5 for one reason…to view and vote on the ten Finalists Films in the 28th 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.

The Ten MANHATTAN SHORT Finalists hail from seven countries with films from Spain, Israel, United Kingdom, Norway, The Netherlands, Belgium, and Mexico, alongside three films from the USA.

The MANHATTAN SHORT Final Ten are:
Em & Selma Go Griffin Hunting (USA), Al Fresco (Spain), Chasing the Party (USA), Paradise Man (USA), We Have Sinned Before You (Israel), I Have My Reasons (United Kingdom), Ovary-Acting (Norway), Beyond Silence (The Netherlands), Zodiac (Belgium), Passarinho (Mexico).

You Be the Judge!
Which of these Final Ten short films is best? That is up to a worldwide audience to decide. Cinema-goers across the United States and around the globe will become instant film critics as they are handed a ballot (See example) upon entry that allows them to vote for the Best Film and 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 6 at 10 AM EST.

#MANHATTANSHORT AWARD

AWARD QUALIFYING RUN

MANHATTAN SHORT 2026 will run for one full week at a Cinema in the county of Los Angeles. This theater booking means every film selected as a FINALIST in the 2026 MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival will be eligible to enter the Oscar competition for 2027. Numerous past finalists from MANHATTAN SHORT have gone onto be nominated and even win the Oscar the following year.

#MANHATTANSHORT ENTER

ENTER MANHATTAN SHORT 2026

Filmmakers have until midnight July 31st to submit their short film. There are no late deadlines. We accept all genres. Films must be 20 minutes and under (excluding credits).
Click here to enter MANHATTAN SHORT 2026.

#MANHATTANSHORT VENUES

NOMINATE A VENUE

Do you own, manage or know of a venue that should be taking part in MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival? This is the place to let us know about that venue. Just click here and fill out the form, hit submit and we'll be in touch. Over 50% of the venues involved in MANHATTAN SHORT came to us via you and this link.

#MANHATTANSHORT FOLLOW

JOIN THE MANHATTAN SHORT FACEBOOK GROUP

Here is where Manhattan Short fans from around the world gather. Director and actor feedback, behind the scenes action, and news items relevant to the selected films are all part of the scene. Or just tell everyone how much you liked a film! (The directors love that!) Come join the Manhattan Short community. Thousands already have!

#MANHATTANSHORT JOIN

JOIN YOUR LOCAL MAIL LIST

Receive updates of when MANHATTAN SHORT is screening at your local venue by joining your local mailing list. We alert you when MANHATTAN SHORT is screening in close proximity to you.

#MANHATTANSHORT MUSIC

FEATURED MUSICAL ARTIST FOR 2025 - THE AMAZING IZZE STEIN

Each year we hold a competition for an up-and-coming Musical Artist whose music is highlighted during the intermission. This year's winner is the amazing Izze Stein. Check Izze's music out during intermission download her music and share it with others. She's Grammy material. Click for more info.