Manhattan Short Film Festival

Over 100,000 film lovers in 500+ cities across 6 continents gather to view and vote on Films in the 29th MANHATTAN SHORT Film Fest. Ten short films are selected from entries from around the world and will screen in over 500 venues across six continents during one week. Audiences at each venue are handed a voting card and asked to vote for the one film they think is best. Votes are sent through to Manhattan Short HQ and the winner is announced the following day. Every film selected as a finalist will be eligible to enter the Academy Awards in 2027. Content warning: Films may include strong language, violence, and adult themes. Recommended for 15+ LAKE MAC ARTS MEMBER BENEFITS 🎟️ Redeem your complimentary member tickets for this event 💲 Purchase up to two member-priced tickets 🍷 Enjoy a complimentary drink on arrival when presenting your valid Lake Mac Arts membership card Not a member? Join Lake Mac Arts here: Lake Mac Arts membership - Lake Macquarie Arts TICKETS General Admission $16.99 (includes $1.99 Eventbrite booking fee) Lake Mac Arts Member $15.41 (includes $1.91 Eventbrite booking fee) Membership cards need to be presented at event entry. Please note there is no need to print your tickets off for this event, the staff can provide electronic check in upon entry. Tickets can be pre-purchased online and also at the door, subject to availability. 2026 FINALISTS ANNOUNCED SMALL TALK Directed by: Eduardo Moral Principal Cast: Richard Neil, Holgie Forrester, Mike Thompson Country: USA Running Time: 8:40 Synopsis: In a neon-drenched future where AI has consumed nearly every profession, a weary cab driver preserves the last traces of humanity the only way he can... through small talk. MARY IS MISSING Directed by: Aisling Byrne Principal Cast: Derek McSweeney, Eoghan Ashe, Ella-Jane Moore, Jackie O'Hagan Country: Ireland Running Time: 22:00 Synopsis: When care worker Mary vanishes without a trace, Detective Foley arrives at the Yellow Tree Day Service, and investigations begin. As reports from the eyewitnesses become more and more confounding, we are asked to explore the reliability of truth, the strangeness of fiction, and the people we choose to believe. CANDY BAR Directed by: Nash Edgerton Principal Cast: Damon Herriman, Andrea Demetriades, Zumi Edgerton, Caitlin Burley Country: Australia Running Time: 6:19 Synopsis: A young girl thinks a man in the candy bar line looks like her dad. VULTURES Directed by: Dian Weys Principal Cast: Edwin van der Walt, Jill Levenberg, Albert Pretorius, Oscar Petersen Country: South Africa Running Time: 15:00 Synopsis: In the volatile moments after a car crash, before the authorities arrive, a hot-headed yet desperate tow truck driver fiercely protects his tow. But the situation quickly spirals out of his control. LIFE GOES ON Directed by: Kat Butterfield & Daniel Audritt Principal Cast: David Bradley, Maggie Steed, Matt Berry, Laura Checkley Country: United Kingdom Running Time: 19:00 Synopsis: Bill is in end-of-life care waiting for the sweet release of death - but unfortunately for him, he's stuck in an infinite time loop, causing the day to restart the second his heart stops. HAI DAVAI Directed by: Vlad Gradescu Principal Cast: Paula Macovoz, Aliona Oleinic, Lilea Bejan, Iraida Bobescu Country: Moldova Running Time: 16:00 Synopsis: On the cusp of leaving her rural Moldovan village for a new life abroad, Nina is stopped, quite literally, by an old superstition: a black cat crosses the road. Citing bad luck, her worried grandmother refuses to let her pass. PICKUP Directed by: Viktoriia Lapushkina Principal Cast: Elizaveta Ishcenko, Arseny Segeev, Evgeniia Lazareva Country: Russia Running Time: 3:00 Synopsis: At a pickup workshop, every girl gets a mission — flirt, charm, and win. For Di, the shyest one in the room, the task is simple: ask a guy to buy her coffee. Passing by her more confident “competitors,” she ends up on a rooftop smoking area, where she meets Alex — a man about to end his life. NORHEIMSUND Directed by: Ana. A. Alpizar Principal Cast: Yaité Ruiz, Paula Massó Varela, Darianis Palenzuela, Kiriam Gutiérrez Country: Cuba Running Time: 12:00 Synopsis: A girl's long-distance romance with an older Norwegian man promises to pull her and her mother from their austere life in Cuba, but her dreams are shaken when she realizes he isn't as idyllic as he seems. WHEN THE SEA WAS CALM Director and Animator: Mamuka Tkeshelashvili Producer: Vladimer Katcharava Country: Georgia Running Time: 18:00 Synopsis: When the Sea Was Calm is a silent, hand-crafted Georgian animated short that transforms memories of pre-war Sokhumi into a poetic story of childhood, first love, exile, and the dream of return. NEVER GIVE UP! Directed by: Tamás Yvan Topolánszky Principal Cast: José Maria Gomez, Ariana Lebrón Country: Hungary, Mexico Running Time: 19:58 Synopsis: Alone in the desert, a young boy attempts to cross the U.S.—Mexico border guided only by his mother’s final words: never give up. An unexpected source of hope leads him toward a twist that redefines survival. VENUE INFORMATION SEATING All seating is general admission. PARKING The carpark at the rear of the theatre can be accessed via the John Street entrance, with limited on street parking available. COMPANION CARDS Warners Bay Theatre accepts Companion Card bookings, please call 02 4921 0400 to book. At the time of purchase, Companion Card holders provide their valid Companion Card number and expiry date. Cardholders purchase one ticket and will then be issued with one complimentary ticket for their essential support companion. ACCESSIBILITY The Warners Bay Theatre can be accessed via a ramp on Lake St and flat entry once inside the building. The venue has LH and RH accessible toilets. There are two accessible parking spots are in the car park behind the theatre via the John Street entry. Warners Bay Theatre honours companion cards. HEARING LOOP Set hearing loop to T (Telecoil) - coverage between stage and tiered seating. DRINKS AND SNACKS There will be a bar open with wine, beer and snacks available to purchase using EFTPOS only. Learn more about Lake Mac: Visit Lake Macquarie | Love the Lake This event may be photographed and filmed and your image could be used in advertising and promotion by Lake Macquarie City Council. Should you wish to not be photographed or filmed please advise event organisers on entry at the event.