Festival dossier
New York, United States · Est. 1997 · High structural score (80–100) for legitimacy and industry clout — not limited to Oscar-qualifying festivals
Strong legitimacy signals
Tier A score for legitimacy and industry clout. Still confirm deadlines, fees, and categories on the festival site before paying.
The Manhattan Short Film Festival is the world's largest short film festival, notable for screening its 10 global finalists simultaneously in over 500 cities across six continents during a single week, with awards for Best Film and Best Actor determined entirely by audience votes. It showcases narrative short films of 20 minutes or less from international directors, receiving over 1,800 submissions annually, and serves as a critical Oscar-qualifying event where every finalist automatically gains Academy Award eligibility.
Last updated Aug 23, 2026
No red flags found
Founded
1997
Venue
319 Lafayette Street # 126 NYC, NY 10012 United States
Screenings
Physical screenings confirmed
Award Categories
1
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