Diverse, Enriching, and Poignant Short Films at the 29th Manhattan Short Film Festival

The Manhattan Short Film Festival is back for its 29th year, showcasing 10 diverse short films from 10 different countries. I ventured to the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport, MA, to watch the films. I have always been a huge movie fanatic, but this festival has given me a new appreciation for short films.

The 10 films selected are impactful, poignant, and powerful. My favorite part is the audience interaction. Everyone sat forward in their seats while watching the films. Cinema brings audiences together for conversations, laughter, and entertainment. Most importantly, the films tell relatable stories in creative fashions.

The festival started with “Small Talk,” a USA short film by Eduardo Moral. Set in the future, a cab driver gives several people rides. With AI taking over the workforce, it has silently taken our voices. The short is well-acted, has excellent cinematography, and an important message to converse with others. 

“Mary is Missing,” an Ireland-based film by Aisling Byrne, follows a missing care worker in an adult care facility. Byrne doesn’t reveal everything quickly, letting her actors reveal clues. Real people with intellectual disabilities star in the film. It’s well acted. Byrne creates a compelling sense of mystery, keeping viewers engaged as the story unfolds. 

I first saw Nash Edgerton’s “Candy Bar,” an Australian film at the virtual Sundance Film Festival, and I’m so glad I got to re-experience it with an audience. You can’t believe everyone, including little kids. Once audiences realized what was at play, they giggled and laughed. The final reveal was memorable. In six minutes, short films make a big impact. 

“Vultures” is a suspenseful South Africa thriller based on the director’s true events. In this incredible one-take, the film centers on a tow truck driver arriving at a car crash. He has difficult decisions to make. From fights, arguments, and people running about, director Dian Weys creates an intense atmosphere. The ending stays with you. 

K. Butterfield and D. Audritt’s “Life Goes On” takes “Groundhog Dog,” but in a hospice facility. The United Kingdom short has all the dark humor. David Bradley, from “Harry Potter,” plays a bitter old man who learns what he’s grateful for. I had tears in my eyes, along with several audience members, at its relatable and poignant message: appreciate life. 

The next short film, “Hai Davai,” takes place in a Moldovan village. A superstitious grandmother refuses to let her granddaughter leave when a black cat passes. Aliona Oleinic is an animated speaker. Pretty soon, the whole village is stuck. Vlad Gradescu made a humorous short. Sometimes waiting brings lessons. 

“Pickup” by Viktoria Lapushkina is a three-minute Russian short film. A young woman is assigned a task. You never know who you’ll meet during the day, and how important it is to bring a smile to someone’s day. For its short length, it has a good message and surprising twist. 

“Normheimsund” is a day-in-the-life Cuban short film by Ana A. Alpizar. A teenage girl is in love, but it’s not an ideal relationship. The short is quiet and atmospheric. Alpizar demonstrates a keen eye for storytelling and visuals. The girl is told to choose her own pathway, which is an important lesson. 

I was captivated by Vladimir Katcharava’s Georgia stop-motion-animated short “When the Sea Was Calm.” There is no dialogue, only action. It’s a story about childhood, first love, and war. Every minute detail is fascinating, from birds flying to waves crashing. It’s a moving and poignant short. 

The final short, “Never Give Up,” is a suspenseful Mexican short about a young boy trying to escape the border. Jose Maria Gomez is a talented young actor. Tamas Yvan Topolanszky made a captivating short film. No matter the situation, keep fighting. It ends with an unexpected twist that made audiences laugh.

The Shalin Liu Performance Center made an excellent space for movie-viewing. Film festivals are so important and enhance movie-viewing experiences. This year’s festival was resonating.