The Manhattan Short Film Festival Presents a Global Judging Panel

The MANHATTAN SHORT FILM FESTIVAL is not only one of the world's largest short film festivals, but also the only one with a truly global judging panel. This year the Festival received a record breaking 628 short film entries from 48 countries, with films from Finland, UK, Australia, France, Ireland and the USA, making up the ten finalists. Past finalists have Gone on to achieve the ultimate in recognition by being nominated and even winning the Oscar in the short film category, MANHATTAN SHORT is known as a breeding ground for the next big thing in film.

These films will not only entertain a global audience but will be judged by them as well. Film-goers will be handed a voting card upon entry to the high-definition, large screen, surround sound showings in Steinman Hall at the Ware Center and will be asked to vote for the one film they think should win.

For the first time, MANHATTAN SHORT will name a Best Actor, too, based upon audience voting. MANHATTAN SHORT believes the outstanding work of actors and actresses in short films is often overlooked by the general public and the film community at large. By asking the MANHATTAN SHORT audience to vote for Best Actor, MANHATTAN SHORT wants to acknowledge the crucial role an actor plays in the execution of a short film director's vision.

Coffee and sodas will be served - FREE - after each screening, so audience-judges can discuss their favorites.

Votes will be sent to MANHATTAN SHORT headquarters with the winner announced at ManhattanShort.com on Sunday Oct 6 at 10 p.m. (EST). Last year this was one of the most popular films of the Ware Center's entire Season.

"In my 16 years of programming MANHATTAN SHORT, this is by far the strongest show we have ever had. From the first scene to the last, these films will command every second of the audiences's attention. It's anyone's guess who will win the Gold Medal," said Founding Director Nicholas Mason. The ten finalists for 2013 are:

"#30" by Timothy Wilde (Australia) | "Do I Have to Take Care of Everything" by Selma Vilhunen (Finland) | "Friday" by Seb Edwards (England) | "No Comment" by Alexandra Naoum (France) | "Irish Folk Furniture" by Tony Donaghue (Ireland) | "Black Metal" by Kat Candler (USA) | "Faces From Places" by Bastien Dubois (France) | "I Am a Great Big Ball of Sadness" by Ken Urban (USA) | "Kismet Diner"by Mark Nunnely (England) and "Pale of Settlement" by Jacob Sillman (USA).

Tickets at the Ware Center are: $7 general, $5 seniors, & MU students. Call717-872-3811; online, at artsmu.com; Or in person at the Ware Center Box Office, at 42 North Prince Street, Lancaster, PA or at the SMC Building on the MU campus. Ticket Offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM- 4:00 PM, and one hour prior to the performance.

To post a comment, you must register and login.