Amber Esparza
Arts, Culture & Entertainment Editor
Indie film-lovers can laugh, cry or even let out an uncomfortable giggle during an intimate screening of ten short films on the Southside of San Antonio this weekend. And they can be the film judge too.
The Manhattan Short Film Festival, a global film festival with an emphasis on short or “micro” films, will present two screenings Friday, Oct. 4 and Saturday, Oct. 5 at local arts non-profit Urban-15. Showtime for both days is 7 p.m.
The festival, now in its 27th year, curates a small selection of short films from around the world for the enjoyment and viewing pleasure of cinephiles in over 500 locations across Australia, Europe, the Americas and more.
San Antonio is one of four cities in Texas to screen the festival.
Other showings in the Lone Star state took place over the past weekend at Texas A&M University-Commerce and The Palace Theater in Grapevine with a sold-out screening slated for this Saturday at The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston.
Films in this year’s Manhattan Short finalist lineup include, among others, a beautifully shot Italian atmospheric drama starring Zoe Saldaña, a literal “period drama” that pokes fun at 18th century England high-class society and the lack of basic knowledge surrounding women’s natural bodily functions, an anxiety-riddled French drama-thriller reminiscent of FX’s “The Bear” and a bite-sized Australian dramedy that will have you saying “Oh shit” one minute and crying from laughter the next.
The Manhattan Short also gives the audience control over the winners of the festival. Rather than a usual panel of distinguished film judges choosing “Best Film” or “Best Actor”, that decision is left to the audience, with attendees casting their own vote for best film and actor at the end of the night.
The winners of the Manhattan Short Film Festival will be announced Monday, Oct. 7 on the Manhattan Short website.
Urban-15’s screenings will present the same ten films on Friday and Saturday with a brief intermission occurring at the halfway point between each respective set.
Tickets for either screening at the arts non-profit, located at 2500 S. Presa St., can be purchased online for $20 or at the door on the day of your preferred showing.
A short trailer of the festival can be viewed here.
