The similarities between Concord and Manhattan are numerous. Both are spelled with the same vowel used more than once, and both are boroughs in New York City. And for the 10th consecutive year, Manhattan will be coming to Concord when NHTI hosts the Manhattan Short Film Festival beginning Oct. 4.
NHTI is one of 300 sites throughout the world where the festival will be screened, as audiences can take in 10 short films – narrowed down from a field of more than 600 – and cast their vote for best film and best actor. According to Stephen Ambra of the NHTI Film Society, which is hosting the event, it’s the only such participatory film festival where the audience has a say in the honorees.
“This festival is absolutely worldwide,” Ambra said. “They cull some of the best films in the world, and the nice thing is some of these films wind up being up for Academy Award nominations.”
This is the 16th annual festival, and the 10 finalists will be shown in 300 U.S. cities and across six continents throughout the week, with all viewer votes eventually tabulated and sent to New York City, where the winner will be announced.
Among the 10 films selected are those representing countries such as Australia, Finland, England, France, Ireland and the United States. The selections range from 6 to 18 minutes in length and are from any number of genres, including documentaries, anime and narrative films.
Not yet featured: the lesser known sequel, The Muppets Take the Manhattan Short Film Festival. Somebody should probably get on that.
Three screenings will be held – Friday evening at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and are only available at the door.
The festival has been a success at NHTI, often playing to near standing-room only crowds, according to Ambra, but it’s been equally important for NHTI’s film students, who can learn valuable lessons while watching award-winning motion pictures.
“One thing they learn is that in a short film, you have no time – you have to be able to grab an audience, so you have to do it by writing and you have to do it visually,” Ambra said. “You have to really engage the audience, and there’s no time for exposition and leisure. It has to be really good.”
Whether you’re studying film for credit at NHTI or studying it as fodder to impress future blind dates, the festival is a worthwhile stop on your weekend tour, Ambra said.
“It’s guaranteed you are going to see some phenomenal films and some incredible acting performances,” he said.
All performances will be in the Sweeney Hall Auditorium (S-122) on the NHTI campus. For more information, filmgoers are encouraged to check out the NHTI website at nhti.edu or call 230-4000, ext. 4101.
