During one week of the year over 100,000 film-lovers gather in over 500 Cinemas across 6 Continents to view and vote on the Finalists Films in the 29th Annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival - MANHATTAN SHORT is more than just one of the largest short film festivals in the world....it is the World's First Global Film Festival.

If making short films is about getting your work out there, nothing compares to MANHATTAN SHORT.

Every Film Selected is eligible to enter the Oscars:
MANHATTAN SHORT does a full week's advertised run in a cinema in Los Angeles, California. This theater booking means all ten finalists in the 2026 MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival will be eligible to enter the Oscar competition for 2027. Many past Finalists from MANHATTAN SHORT have been nominated and even win the Oscar in the Festivals 29 year history.

MANHATTAN SHORT also conducts a screenplay competition for screenplay for short films only (20 pages and under)

Featured Musical Artist Competition:
MANHATTAN SHORT will be featuring a Musical Artist or Band leading up to and throughout the duration of the Festival each year. The selected Musician or Band will have his/her music featured in over four hundred venues and to over 100,000 people worldwide during the MANHATTAN SHORT intermission and in all promotional materials leading up to the festival dates, including exclusive headline billing on our website. This is a tremendous opportunity for new or unknown musical talent to have their music broadcast to our ready-made worldwide audience of eager festival attendees. It is also a unique chance to gain name recognition and immediate exposure. Entry forms are also available at the website: http://manhattanshort.com/musical-artist-competition.html

All Films Selected automatically become eligible to enter the Oscars
The Gold Medal
The Silver Medal
The Bronze Medal
Best Actor
Best Screenplay
Featured Musical Artist

Films Must Be 20 Minutes and Under in Length.

We accept all genres.

Successful applicants we require Prores preferably at (23.98) frame rate.

Deadlines - July 31st every year

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • A wonderful and unique festival, one of its kind. Communication was great, and we were well informed all along. Thank you for selecting and awarding "We Have Sinned Before You" by Ifat Nener Orgad! I look forward to next year's event.

    November 2025
  • Elena Balandina

    Honored and grateful to see What the Heavens Carry reach the Semifinals at the Manhattan Short Film Festival.
    For me as a writer and filmmaker, this recognition means a lot — it confirms that stories born from honesty, vulnerability, and humanity can truly resonate beyond borders.
    Thank you to the festival team and readers for seeing the heart behind the words.

    November 2025
  • Naomi Lisner

    Thank you Manhattan Short Film festival.
    Col festival. I wasn't able to attend but hopefully will in the future. Thank you for selecting Freedom Feet as a semi finalist. All the best, Naomi

    October 2025
  • Jill Thrussell

    I was pleased and honoured that my short film script Tiggles, Mummy & Me: Our Journey to Safety was chosen as a semifinalist by the Manhattan Short Film Festival. I found the festival staff polite, helpful and courteous.

    October 2025
  • Linda Tancs

    So pleased to make it to the semifinals of this festival with my comedy! Thanks to all for giving a thumbs-up to my work.

    October 2024