by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
After two successful years the Manhattan Short Film Festival is returning to Jacksonville later this month.
In a matter of one week, all 12 films will be shown in 220 different screenings in 99 cities worldwide. The 12 films were selected from 456 entries received from 32 countries over the past year.
“It is really exciting to bring Manhattan to Jacksonville,” said Christy Sappenfield, co-chair of the local screening of the Film Festival. “As a matter of fact, we are bringing the whole world to Jacksonville.”
Jacksonville’s screening will be held on the evenings of Sept. 27 and 28, beginning with a reception on both nights at 5:30 p.m. and screenings beginning at 6:30 p.m. The two-day event will be held at Studio 653 at UF & Shands in Springfield.
Even though the Film Festival is taking place throughout the world, every city plays an integral part in what film wins.
Those attending the screenings worldwide will vote each night for their favorite films. All of the votes from each city will be tallied and sent to the Manhattan Short headquarters in New York City.
The winner will be announced in Union Square Park in New York City, where the festival originated, at 10 p.m. Sept. 30.
The Manhattan Short Film Festival began 10 years ago when Nicholas Mason projected 14 short films onto the side of a truck that was parked on a street in Manhattan. One year later, the festival moved to Union Square Park. Since 2004, audiences have been voting for their favorite film. Before 2004 celebrity judges chose the winners.
Locally, Sappenfield said she and her co-chair Cheryl Thompson are building on the success of prior years. Last year, tickets were completely sold out for the event and in 2005, when the Film Festival first came to Jacksonville, there was a good response, but not all tickets were sold.
“We are definitely expecting to sell out again before the event,” said Sappenfield.
Sappenfield and Thompson are co-chairing the event on behalf of the Springfield Improvement Association and Woman’s Club. The Woman’s Club also partnered with UF & Shands Jacksonville.
Proceeds from the festival will benefit the Springfield Improvement Association and Woman’s Club and Community in Schools college scholarship fund. A scholarship will be given to a student who is being mentored by the Community in Schools’ Jacksonville foundation.
Unlike the Jacksonville Film Festival, the Manhattan Short Film Festival gives locals a chance to see short, 10-minute films from around the world.
“The purpose of the Manhattan Short Film Festival is to unearth future film talent, with its ultimate aim to unite audiences from around the world,” said Sappenfield.
During the reception each evening before the screenings there will be live jazz music by David Luckin of Electro Lounge Jazz, performances by local dance groups, a silent auction and food and drinks.
Tickets are $15 per night. To purchase tickets call 633-9308 or 434-4888 or visit www.springfieldwomansclub.org/events.html.
2007 Manhattan Film Festival Finalists
• “Lines” - United States
• “The Presdigitator” - Spain
• “100th of a Second” - United Kingdom
• “The Trainee” - Singapore
• “Clooney” - Germany
• “Soft” - United Kingdom
• “Cherries” - United Kingdom
• “I Want to be a Pilot” - Kenya
• “I Met the Walrus” - Canada
• “feeling_lonely?” - Australia
• “Boris’s Complete Book of Rules” - Israel
• “King Ponce” - United Kingdom