Oscar Contender Short Films To Play at Tower Theatre Saturday

Saturday night filmgoers in Fresno will join audiences in over 400 cities spanning six continents to view and judge the work of the next generation of filmmakers. The 22^nd annual Manhattan Short Film Festival is being screened at the Tower Theatre from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

“Audiences can expect well done, Oscar worthy films running the gamut of drama, satire, and human interests,” said Michele Viets, a board member with Creative Fresno, the organization bringing the Manhattan Short Film Festival to Fresno. 

“Part of our mission is to bring art to Fresno and the surrounding areas,” Viets said. “Fresno has a community of film lovers and we hope to make this an annual event.”

Ten short films will be screened Saturday night. Audience members cast ballots for Best Film and Best Actor awards. By being part of the Manhattan Short, each film is automatically qualified to be considered for an Academy Award.

The films featured in this year’s festival come from France, Iran, Canada, Finland and Germany. There are also two from the United States and three British films. These ten films were selected from over 12 hundred submissions from 70 countries.

The American films featured are Debris and At the End of the World. Debris is 14 minutes long. It’s an action, crime drama about a disastrous event on a construction site. When the film’s star acts quickly to save his crew, he stumbles upon an unspeakable truth. 

At the End of the World takes place in an apocalyptic future. A lonely government worker finds solace with a soldier during the last World War. But their future is threatened when the soldier is sent back into battle. 
Tickets for the Manhattan Short Film Festival are $15 and can be purchased online or at the Tower Theatre Box Office.