Manhattan short-length filmfest begins in Yekaterinburg Wed

YEKATERINBURG, September 21 (Itar-Tass) - Yekaterinburg has become one
of cities where competitive screenings of the world's major Manhattan
festival of short-length films begins on Wednesday.
An official at the Yekaterinburg House of Cinematography has told
Itar-Tass that cinema-goers will be able to see competitive movies until
Friday, Sept 23, and vote tor a film they like at the close of the show.
This year, the battle for audience recognition is involving ten
professional film directors from various countries. They were selected on
the strength of 589 applications. It is the audience that determines the
best film: tens of thousands of cinema-goers all over the world will be
choosing the best film.
"Films will be shown in cities on all continents. The final show is to
be held on October 2 in New York in the open-air Union Square Park. Final
votes will determine a holder of Grand Prix of the festival. This year's
main winner will be awarded a prize of $10,000 and greeted with ovations
by several thousands of movie enthusiasts all over the world," the
Cinematography Club official pointed out.
New countries and cities join in bringing in films for the Manhattan
festival. It originated in 1997 when the first show for friends was
presented on an improvized screen stretched on board a truck. Already on
the next year, the festival moved to the Union Suare Park where it has
been held up to this day.
In the past decade, six films shown at the festival were nominated for
Oscar in the Best Short-Length Film category. This is a unique opportunity
to watch new productions by talented film directors from various
continents. The festival's program includes comedy and drama movies and
even trash musicals.