WALTON — The Manhattan Short Film Festival will return to the Walton Theatre Sept. 24 and 26, bringing 10 international short films to the local screen as part of a festival held at more than 500 venues worldwide.
The 10 finalist films, selected from hundreds of submissions, represent filmmakers from countries including Australia, Mexico, Moldova, the United States and Russia. The lineup spans a range of genres and subjects, from serious social issues to lighter, comedic stories. The program also includes an animated film from Georgia and a U.S. entry exploring life with artificial intelligence.
The Walton Theatre will host three screenings: Thursday, Sept. 24, at 1 and 7 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. Each screening will feature all 10 films, with a 10-minute intermission after the first five. The full program runs about two hours. Concessions will be available.
Audience members will vote for their choices for best film and best actor. Votes from participating venues around the world will be combined to determine the festival’s winners.
The festival provides an opportunity for audiences to see short films that otherwise might not receive theatrical exposure. At the conclusion of each screening, viewers can compare their selections with other audience members before the international votes are tallied.
The festival also has a connection to the Academy Awards. Films selected for the Manhattan Short program receive eligibility for consideration for the 2027 Academy Awards, subject to the Academy’s rules.
For information about the Walton Theatre screenings, visit the theatre’s website or contact the theater directly.
