WILMETTE – The Wilmette Theatre is honored to once again host the MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival—the world’s first global film festival—on three dates: Friday, October 6 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, October 7 at 5:30 p.m.; and Sunday, October 8 at 2 p.m. Each screening shows the same 10 films, and runs 1 hour 58 minutes. The films are not rated, but are intended for adult audiences. Tickets are on sale now and theatre-goers are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance to be sure they have a chance to see the films and cast their votes: www.wilmettetheatre.com or box office at: 1122 Central Ave., Wilmette.
ALL FILMS WILL QUALIFY FOR OSCAR NOMINATION!
Established in New York City in 1998, the MANHATTAN SHORT receives over 600 short film entries from over 45 countries a year. Ten of these entries are selected as finalists in our annual Festival. This Festival is not just one of the largest short film festivals in the world, it is the world’s first global film festival, a global celebration and we are inviting you and your community to become part of it. Audiences from around the world gather not only to view the films, but to vote on them as well.
MANHATTAN SHORT is the world’s first global film fest bringing together the most creative short films in the world. More than 100,000 film lovers in over 250 cities across six continents will gather in cinemas, museums, and universities for one purpose…to view and vote on the Finalists’ Films. The Wilmette Theatre is the only host in Chicagoland.
Selected from 1615 entries from 75 countries, MANHATTAN SHORT 10 finalists in the 20th Annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival represent USA, Georgia, Italy, Latvia, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, Syria and United Kingdom.
FINALISTS: 2017 Finalists include HOPE DIES LAST – During World War II, a prisoner working as a barber for the Nazis fears every haircut may be his last; MARE NORSTRUM – On a Mediterranean shore, a Syrian father’s decision to give his daughter a better life puts her in danger of losing it; BEHIND – A divorced mother is obsessed with the idea that her ex-husband is plotting to take her baby away from her; and DO NO HARM – 3am. Hongjing, China. 1980s. A single-minded surgeon is forced to break her physician’s oath when violent gangsters storm into a hospital to stop a crucial operation.
Complete list of finalists can be found here along with director interviews.
You Be the Judge! Audiences from around the world are given the opportunity to unite with other audiences not only to view these films, but also to vote for the ONE Film they think is best. Patrons of the Wilmette Theatre will have an opportunity to cast their vote after the screening. Finalists will be part of the MANHATTTAN SHORT Oscar Qualifying Run. This means all selected films will screen for a full week at a cinema in the county of Los Angeles. This run qualifies every film selected in MANHATTAN SHORT for the Oscars. Many past Finalists from MANHATTAN SHORT have been nominated for an Oscar (SHOK and Bear Story from 2015, to name just two).
According to Nicholas Mason, founding director of the festival “. . .unfailing enthusiasm for brilliant films and most of all the participation of the public throughout the world, have made MANHATTAN SHORT become what it is today. As one reporter called it, it is ‘The World’s most people powered Film Festival.’ That reporter got it right.”
This is a unique and exciting opportunity to see the next generation of feature filmmakers from around the world. For more information: www.manhattanshort.com
Submitted by The Wilmette Theater:
More than 100 years after opening its doors, the not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) Wilmette Theatre continues to be the premiere multi-arts and performance center anchoring the downtown Wilmette business district. The theatre plays host to an eclectic mix of film, movies, concerts and live programs and is also home to the well-respected Actors Training Center, offering classes for kids, teens and adults. The theatre is located at 1122 Central Avenue, Wilmette.