WURTSBORO – The Mamakating Library invites you to the 28th Annual Manhattan Short Film Festival, with screenings on Thursday, September 25 at 5:30pm, Tuesday, September 30 at 5:30pm, and Saturday, October 4 at 12pm. This global event takes place over one week, with audiences around the world viewing and voting on the same ten short film finalists.

All ten films will be shown at each screening, so attendees can choose the date that works best for them. Each screening has ballots for viewers to cast their votes for the top three films. (The 2024 winner, Victoria Warmerdam’s I Am Not a Robot, went on to win the 2025 Academy Award!)

Following the Saturday screening, we’ll host a discussion to analyze the films. Attendees from any of the screenings can come to the discussion.

Submissions come from nearly every continent, with this year’s finalists representing the USA, UK, Israel, Mexico, Belgium, Norway, and The Netherlands.

As described by the festival, this year’s lineup offers “a worldwide line-up of 10 short films [that] explore a wide range of topics relevant to everyone.” Expect both dramatic and humorous takes on migration, reconciliation, housing prices, parenthood – and even golf.

There is no charge for the festival. There will be one fifteen-minute intermission, during which there will be a recording of the festival’s featured musical artist, Izze Stein. Refreshments will be available free of charge from the Friends of the Mamakating Library.

Registration is required for this program. You may register online by using the calendar feature at mamakatinglibrary.org or by calling 1-845-888-8004. For more information about any of our programs visit our website or follow us on Facebook or Instagram using the handle @mamakatinglibrary. All library programs are free and open to the public. The Mamakating Library is located at 128 Sullivan Street in Wurtsboro.