NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Jessica Shively, Communications & Development Associate
207-367-2788
jessica@operahousearts.org

DATE: September 11, 2025
TITLE: Manhattan Short 2025 Screens Top 10 Films from Worldwide Entries

Stonington, ME – Film lovers in Stonington will join over 100,000 film enthusiasts around the world for the 28th Annual Manhattan Short Film Festival screening at the Stonington Opera House on Friday, September 26 at 7pm.

Manhattan Short 2025 screens 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.

 Introducing the Manhattan Short Finalists of 2025
 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. “These ten short films bring a much-needed positive energy to the world!” says Nicholas Mason, founding director of Manhattan Short Film Festival.

 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), Zodiak (Belgium), Passarinho (Mexico).

All Final Ten short films become Oscar-qualified, meaning they will be automatically eligible for an Academy Award nomination by screening for a week at The New Parkway Theater in Oakland CA from Sept 19-25, 2025. In 2024, four Manhattan Short selections were short-listed. Two of those Manhattan Short films were nominated for an Oscar, including the ultimate winner for Best Live Action short “I’m Not a Robot.” Manhattan Short continues to be an early showcase for Oscar contenders.

You Be the Judge!
 Which of these Final Ten short films is the best? That’s 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 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 5, at 10AM EST.

For more information or to purchase tickets visit operahousearts.org or call 207-367-2788.

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Download Stills: http://manhattanshort.com/download-stills.html
View and post the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lgfk2TD_mQE