Filmgoers in over 250 cities worldwide including Mumbai spanning six continents will unite to view and judge the work of next generation filmmakers for the 18th Annual Manhattan Short Film Festival. This is the sixth consecutive year for the festival in India.

This year, Manhattan Short received 672 short film entries from 52 countries. The 10 finalists hail from eight countries, with short films from Turkey and Kosovo representing their respective countries for the first time. These short films will not only entertain a global audience but will be judged by them as well. Cinema-goers will become instant film critics as they are handed a ballot upon entry that allows them to vote for the Best Film and Best Actor.

Votes will be sent through to Manhattan Short HQ with the winner announced at ManhattanShort.com on 5 October. This year?s Manhattan Short highlights the continued importance of women in film. Half of this year?s selections feature actresses ranging in age from children to senior citizens.

Other short films like Bear Story and Patch are sophisticated animations, as Manhattan Short continues to support this important art form.

Manhattan Short 2015 in India conducted the second edition of the competition - Vote for India, which saw filmmakers from across India send in their short film entries to compete for a spot in the global finalist list. The films were hosted on the India chapter?s website ? http://www.manhattanshortindia.com where Indian audiences voted for the films they believed should enter the global finalist list and win the India chapter of the festival.

While no Indian film made the cut for the global finalist list, the films that won the India chapter from among the numerous entries include Aavrati that presents a teenage girl?s encounter with a good-hearted cop; El?ayichi starring Nimrat Kaur, Divyendu Sharma and Vibha Chibber; Karan Tejpal?s No Anaesthesia; a first-hand and unique account of the Bhopal tragedy in Bhopal Diaries 2012 and Ganesh Matkari?s take on sexuality in the glamour world - Shot.

?In times like these, cross-border events like Manhattan Short that contribute towards greater tolerance and understanding are needed now more than ever. I want to thank and congratulate all the filmmakers and cinemas involved in this global cinematic event. Manhattan Short is about communities bonding together via their local cinema,? said Manhattan Short founding director Nicholas Mason.

Festival Director for India Anil Sadarangani added, ?Manhattan Short serves as a platform for the filmmaker?s to be recognized internationally for their talent. We are expecting a great response from the city for the short films presented at the festival.?