MANHATTAN SHORT FILM FESTIVAL 2026

Manhattan Short Film Festival

The always-popular compilation of global short films returns to the John & Nancy Hughes Theater at Gorton—come watch and vote for your favorite! Film lovers unite during the same week across six continents to view and judge the work of the next generation of international filmmakers.

The ten 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. By virtue of their selection by MANHATTAN SHORT, each short film is automatically Oscar-qualified.

“These ten short films bring a much-needed positive energy to the world!” says Nicholas Mason, founding director of Manhattan Short Film Festival. The program runs 2.5 hours with an 9 minute intermission.

Manhattan Short 2026 Finalists

“Small Talk” (USA)
“Mary is Missing” (Ireland)
“Candy Bar” (Australia)
“Vultures” (South Africa)
“Life Goes On” (United Kingdom)
“Hai Davai” (Moldova)
“Pickup” (Russia)
“Norheimsund” (Cuba)
“When the Sea Was Calm” (Georgia)
“Never Give Up!” (Hungary, Mexico)