PRESS RELEASE
The annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival is coming to Sydney as part of a global event when more than 100,000 people in over 300 cities across six continents gather in cinemas, galleries, universities, museums and cafes to view and vote for their favourite short film.
The event takes place around the world over one week and shortlisted films will be screened at the Glen Street Theatre in Sydney’s North Shore on Sunday 29 September from 3pm.
Audiences will be asked to judge the best film on the night and votes from across the world will be tallied, with the winner announced in New York on October 6.
Glen Street’s screening of MANHATTAN SHORT holds a special place in founder and director, Nicholas Mason’s heart. Mason grew up locally and says of the screening, “The event is taking place in 300 cities spanning six continents – but no more important venue than this one.”
The first MANHATTAN SHORT was held in 1998, when Mason screened 16 short films onto a screen mounted to the side of a truck on Mulberry Street, Little Italy, NYC. A year later the Festival moved to Union Square Park NYC, and it was events after 9/11, that transformed this event into a worldwide phenomenon, becoming the only film festival on the planet that unfolds, simultaneously, in more than 250 cinemas on six continents, bringing over 100,000 film-lovers in all corners of the globe together for one week, via the next generation of filmmakers.
“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 audience’s attention. It’s anyone’s guess who will win the Gold Medal,” said Mason.
“Audiences around the world come together over one week, to enjoy the films. A film someone in Russia might love – could be the least favourite of someone in Arizona. It’s the worldwide audience that is so special and so exciting for filmmakers”.
MANHATTAN SHORT has become known as a breeding ground for the next big thing with past finalists being nominated and even winning the Oscar in the short film category.
This year, the festival received over 600 entries from 48 countries, with films from Finland, UK, Australia, France, Ireland and the USA, making up the ten finalists. The shortlisted Australian film #30, directed by Timothy Wilde, also received a best actor’s nod for current NIDA student Jessica Vickers, who is one of six actors nominated with the winner judged by the global audience, as well.
"The cast and crew of #30 are honoured to be a finalist in this year's MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival. The whole cast and crew are all good friends from the Central Coast where it was also shot. That close relationship we share, I believe is one of the main reasons the film is doing so well," said Timothy Wilde.
MANHATTAN SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
Venue: Glen Street Theatre, Cnr. Glen Street and Blackbutts Road, Belrose
Date: Sunday 29 September
Time: 3pm
Price: $20 – Transaction charges may apply.
Bookings: 02 9975 1455 or www.glenstreet.com.au
For more information on the Festival and to read detailed interviews with the ten finalists, visit www.msfilmfest.com