MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival 2026

In 2026, the Opera House will AGAIN host the MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival!

MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival: You Be the Judge!

Discover your inner film critic by casting your vote for Best Film and Best Actor in the 28th Annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival. You'll join film lovers in over 500 venues across the globe gathering between 9/24-10/4 to see the Ten Finalists in this year's event. With past finalists garnering Oscar nominations and short films continuing to move into the Hollywood mainstream, come see this entertaining program featuring the best short films in the world today! Printed ballots supplied upon entry.

We will show MANHATTAN SHORT selections three times this year: Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday afternoon. Each screening will present the SAME films - select just one screening (or see them multiple times!).

MANHATTAN SHORT began in 1998, when founder Nicholas Mason gathered an audience of 200 people and showed 16 short films on a screen mounted to the side of a truck on Mulberry Street, Little Italy, New York City. A year later the Festival moved uptown to Union Square Park NYC, where audiences grew to love the annual event. From these humble beginnings, MANHATTAN SHORT has now transformed into a worldwide phenomenon. Celebrating its 29th birthday in 2025, MANHATTAN SHORT is the only film festival on the planet to unfold simultaneously, in more than 500 cinemas on six continents, bringing over 100,000 film-lovers in all corners of the globe together for one week, via the next generation of filmmakers.

Program runs approximately 140 minutes.

General admission

The historic Shepherdstown Opera House is a cozy theater that seats 100 — advance reservations encouraged. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime. Popcorn, candy, soft drinks, beer & wine available for purchase (no outside food or drinks please). Lobby, theater & restroom are wheelchair accessible.