Planetarium to Host Short-Film Festival

The Del and Norma Robison Planetarium will participate in a global short-film festival that will allow attendees to vote for their favorite picture.

Manhattan Short 2024 will run simultaneously across the world for a one-week period. The planetarium is one of more than 500 locations around the world to participate in the screenings. The 10 films range in running time from five to 22 minutes. There will be four opportunities to watch, with the planetarium hosting screenings at 7 p.m. Sept. 27-28 and Oct. 4-5. There is no cost to attend the festival.

All 10 films will be screened at every showing, and attendees will be allowed to vote for Best Film and Best Actor. By virtue of their selection by Manhattan Short, each film is automatically Oscar-qualified.

The finalists hail from nine countries with films from Australia, The Netherlands, Italy, France, Croatia, Ireland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom alongside two films from the United States.

“The Talent”
United Kingdom
On the set of a luxury car commercial, an overlooked assistant seizes his chance to get noticed by the star in this lyrical meditation on masculinity, desire and becoming.

“I’m Not a Robot”
The Netherlands
A woman repeatedly fails a computer security test. Suddenly, her humanity is called into question.

“Mother”
Ukraine
At the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Katya decides to leave her hometown and take her mother. But mother is getting her nails done.

“Dovecote”
Italy
A small boat navigates the canals of Venice, Italy, only to stop at a women’s prison where an inmate is poised to rediscover freedom.

“Pathological”
United States
A pathological liar wakes up one day to discover her lies have become true.

“Alarms”
France
Pierre is diligently overseeing the completion of the tumultuous construction site under his responsibility, ensuring progress doesn’t come at the cost of safety.

“Favourites”
Australia
Two parents face an impossible choice when their family camping trip goes terribly wrong.

“The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent”
Croatia, Bulgaria, France
Bosnia, 1993: Paramilitary forces stop a train in an ethnic cleansing operation. Only one man out of 500 passengers dares to stand up to them. A true story and winner of the 2024 Palme D’Or at Cannes.

“Room Taken”
Ireland
A homeless man moves in with a blind woman who doesn’t know he’s there. A strange bond develops.

“Jane Austen’s Period Drama”
United States
In this period comedy, the sudden appearance of a blood stain stops a marriage proposal mid-sentence.