Film buffs, listen up, because you’re going to want to know about this.
The 19th annual Manhattan Short Film Festival is returning to NHTI this weekend and with four showings, everyone will have an opportunity to check out some of the best, never-before-seen short films out there.
While the festival is in its 19th year, this will be the 16th time NHTI has hosted the global event, and is one of only two locations in New Hampshire participating. The festival will be shown in 250 cinemas across six continents, so it’s kind of a big deal.
The 10 films represent eight countries and were selected from 844 submissions from 52 countries. Talk about a stringent selection process.
“This year, they had more submissions than ever,” said Steve Ambra, who runs the festival at NHTI along with Red River Theatres’s Barry Steelman. “This looks like one of the stronger programs they’ve put together.”
Each film is supposed to 15 minutes or less –although one is about 20, but made up for by the shortest, which is under five minutes. So festival goers can expect to spend two and half hours in the Sweeney Auditorium, including an intermission midway through.
The one United States entry is titled Ella Gets a Promotion? about a talented and loyal employee who finally gets the promotion she deserves. Or does she?
There’s two anime selections, as well as two each from France and Australia. The others come from Norway, Russia, Germany, Netherlands and England.
“With a short film, you have to create something believable and fast,” Ambra said. “You have to grab the audience in the first few seconds or you’ve lost them.”
Every attendee gets a ballot to vote for their favorite film, and since NHTI began showing the festival, Concord has been spot on with each and every winner.
“Concord is such a great film destination,” Ambra said.
What Ambra loves about the festival is that you never quite know what to expect.
“You can see established actors and directors, but also people new to film,” he said. “The great thing about the Manhattan Short Film Festival is that the films shown will likely be nominated for Academy Awards.”
There will be showings on Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $10 and available at the door.
For more info, contact Ambra at 271-6484 ext. 4101 or sambra@ccsnh.edu, or visit msfilmfest.com
