Manhattan Short Film Festival screenings return to Blissfield library

BLISSFIELD — Film lovers in the Blissfield area can join more than 100,000 film enthusiasts from around the world this week to view and vote on the 10 film finalists in the 26th annual Manhattan Short Film Festival, which returns for three days this week at Blissfield’s Schultz-Holmes Memorial Library.

The library, at 407 S. Lane St., will host three days of free film screenings starting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, and continuing through 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30.

While the Manhattan Short Film Festival is an international event, the experience at the Blissfield library will be “unique to Blissfield,” the library said in a news release. Filmgoers will be treated to pizza from Lena’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant, hot dogs from Shellie’s Deli and popcorn courtesy of Brown & Sons Roofing and Siding. Locally made and famous punch will also be served.

The film festival is part of the library’s "Blissfield Unbound" program series and is available for people to attend at no cost because of sponsorships from Brown & Sons Roofing and Siding and Knapp Chevrolet Buick, the release said.

The final 10 Manhattan Short Film Festival finalists hail from seven countries with films made from Australia, Afghanistan, Finland, Iran, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada alongside three films from the United States. These films represent the best short films from among 850 submissions from 72 countries received by Manhattan Short for 2023.

“This is testimony to the enduring vibrancy and creativity of short films worldwide,” the library said, noting some of the films may contain mature content.

The final 10 films that will be screened Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the library are “Sunless” (United States), “Voice Activated” (Australia), “Yellow” (Afghanistan), “Tuulikki” (Finland), “The Family Circus” (United States), “Career Day” (United States), “Snail” (Iran), “The Record” (Switzerland), “The Stupid Boy” (United Kingdom) and “Soleil De Nuit” (Canada).

The 2023 lineup of films, the library said, is linked by the common theme of how people face adversity, whether it is self-imposed by others or arises from personal circumstances.

“The 10 short films in the program feature narratives that are dramatic, sometimes humorous, occasionally magical and always inspirational,” the library’s release said.

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All final 10 short films become Oscar-qualified, meaning they will be automatically eligible for an Academy Award nomination by screening for a week at the Arena CineLounge in Hollywood, California, from Friday, Sept. 22, to Thursday, Sept. 28, which is the day the Schultz-Holmes Memorial Library and several other locations throughout Michigan start screening the films.

While locals have three opportunities to watch the film submissions, so too do cinemagoers across the United States and around the globe.

Worldwide audiences can become instant film critics and select from a balloted format which film they would consider worthy of winning “Best Film” and which actor/actress should win “Best Actor.”

“Manhattan Short is the ultimate audience award that salutes the creative talents of both directors behind the camera and actors in front of it,” the library said.

Votes will be sent through to Manhattan Short headquarters with the winners being announced at 10 a.m. Oct. 9 at www.ManhattanShort.com. The Manhattan Short Film Festival is also on Facebook.

The film festival’s official trailer is available to watch on the Schultz-Holmes Memorial Library’s Facebook page. To contact the library, call 517-486-2858 or email info@blissfieldlibrary.org.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Manhattan Short Film Festival screenings return to Blissfield library