Manhattan Short Film Festival comes to Santa Maria

The City of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department and Public Library in partnership with the Santa Maria Arts Council, invite film lovers to join over 100,000 film enthusiasts around the world for the 26^th Annual Manhattan Short Film Festival.  
 
The final 10 films will be screened simultaneously across the world during a one-week period, with the Best Film and Best Actor awards determined by ballots cast by the audiences in each participating location. By virtue of their selection by Manhattan Short, each short film is automatically Oscar-qualified.
 
Viewings of these top 10 short films will take place at The City of Santa Maria Public Library on Sunday, October 1^st from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., and Friday, October 6^th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.  A special outdoor viewing will be held Saturday, October 7^th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Lavagnino Plaza (in front of the library), 421 South McClelland Street.
 
The finalists hail from seven countries, the movies are: Sunless (USA), Voice Activated (Australia), Yellow (Afghanistan), Tuulikki  (Finland), The Family Circus (USA), Career Day (USA), Snail (Iran), The Record (Switzerland), The Stupid Boy (UK), Soleil De Nuit (Canada).
 
While these films are not rated, they are recommended for those 14 years and older.
 
The 2023 line-up is linked by a common theme: how we face adversity, whether it is imposed by others or arises from personal circumstances. The short films feature narratives that are dramatic, sometimes humorous, occasionally magical, and always inspirational.
 
Questions may be directed to Gillian Speicher, Librarian II, at the Public Library, (805) 925-0994.