Planetarium to Host Short-Film Festival
“Life Goes On” is one of 10 films to be shown at the Del and Norma Robison Planetarium during the Manhattan Short 2026 festival. Admission is free, and attendees can vote for the best film and best actor.
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 2026 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 three to 22 minutes. There will be four opportunities to watch, with the planetarium hosting screenings at 7 p.m. Sept. 25-26 and Oct. 2-3. 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 10 countries with films from the United States, Ireland, Australia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Moldova, Russia, Cuba, Georgia and Mexico.
“Small Talk”
United States
In a neon-drenched future where AI has consumed nearly every profession, a weary cab driver preserves the last traces of humanity the only way he can... through small talk.
“Mary is Missing”
Ireland
When care worker Mary vanishes without a trace, Detective Foley arrives at the Yellow Tree Day Service, and investigations begin. As reports from the eyewitnesses become more and more confounding, viewers are asked to explore the reliability of truth, the strangeness of fiction and the people we choose to believe.
“Candy Bar”
Australia
A young girl thinks a man in the candy bar line looks like her dad.
“Vultures”
South Africa
In the volatile moments after a car crash, before the authorities arrive, a hot-headed yet desperate tow truck driver fiercely protects his tow. But the situation quickly spirals out of his control.
“Life Goes On”
United Kingdom
Bill is in end-of-life care waiting for the sweet release of death — but unfortunately for him, he's stuck in an infinite time loop, causing the day to restart the second his heart stops.
“Hai Davai”
Moldova
On the cusp of leaving her rural Moldovan village for a new life abroad, Nina is stopped, quite literally, by an old superstition: a black cat crosses the road. Citing bad luck, her worried grandmother refuses to let her pass.
“Pickup”
Russia
At a pickup workshop, every girl gets a mission — flirt, charm and win. For Di, the shyest one in the room, the task is simple: ask a guy to buy her coffee. Passing by her more confident “competitors,” she ends up on a rooftop smoking area, where she meets Alex — a man about to end his life.
“Norheimsund”
Cuba
A girl's long-distance romance with an older Norwegian man promises to pull her and her mother from their austere life in Cuba, but her dreams are shaken when she realizes he isn't as idyllic as he seems.
“When the Sea was Calm”
Georgia
A silent, hand-crafted Georgian animated short that transforms memories of pre-war Sokhumi into a poetic story of childhood, first love, exile and the dream of return.
“Never Give Up!”
Mexico
Alone in the desert, a young boy attempts to cross the U.S.—Mexico border guided only by his mother’s final words: “Never give up.” An unexpected source of hope leads him toward a twist that redefines survival.
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 2026 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 three to 22 minutes. There will be four opportunities to watch, with the planetarium hosting screenings at 7 p.m. Sept. 25-26 and Oct. 2-3. 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 10 countries with films from the United States, Ireland, Australia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Moldova, Russia, Cuba, Georgia and Mexico.
“Small Talk”
United States
In a neon-drenched future where AI has consumed nearly every profession, a weary cab driver preserves the last traces of humanity the only way he can... through small talk.
“Mary is Missing”
Ireland
When care worker Mary vanishes without a trace, Detective Foley arrives at the Yellow Tree Day Service, and investigations begin. As reports from the eyewitnesses become more and more confounding, viewers are asked to explore the reliability of truth, the strangeness of fiction and the people we choose to believe.
“Candy Bar”
Australia
A young girl thinks a man in the candy bar line looks like her dad.
“Vultures”
South Africa
In the volatile moments after a car crash, before the authorities arrive, a hot-headed yet desperate tow truck driver fiercely protects his tow. But the situation quickly spirals out of his control.
“Life Goes On”
United Kingdom
Bill is in end-of-life care waiting for the sweet release of death — but unfortunately for him, he's stuck in an infinite time loop, causing the day to restart the second his heart stops.
“Hai Davai”
Moldova
On the cusp of leaving her rural Moldovan village for a new life abroad, Nina is stopped, quite literally, by an old superstition: a black cat crosses the road. Citing bad luck, her worried grandmother refuses to let her pass.
“Pickup”
Russia
At a pickup workshop, every girl gets a mission — flirt, charm and win. For Di, the shyest one in the room, the task is simple: ask a guy to buy her coffee. Passing by her more confident “competitors,” she ends up on a rooftop smoking area, where she meets Alex — a man about to end his life.
“Norheimsund”
Cuba
A girl's long-distance romance with an older Norwegian man promises to pull her and her mother from their austere life in Cuba, but her dreams are shaken when she realizes he isn't as idyllic as he seems.
“When the Sea was Calm”
Georgia
A silent, hand-crafted Georgian animated short that transforms memories of pre-war Sokhumi into a poetic story of childhood, first love, exile and the dream of return.
“Never Give Up!”
Mexico
Alone in the desert, a young boy attempts to cross the U.S.—Mexico border guided only by his mother’s final words: “Never give up.” An unexpected source of hope leads him toward a twist that redefines survival.
