FRENCH FILM SKHIZEIN WINS MANHATTAN SHORT FILM FESTIVAL 2009

Reported from Manhattan Short at Collective Hardware in New York City

September 29, 10:30PM:

Skhizein, a 14-minute animated short by French director Jeremy Clapin, tonight was named best short film in the 12th annual Manhattan Short Film Festival. Skhizein is the first animated film to claim the main award in the festival’s 12-year history. The festival ran at the Doris Duke Theatre in September and the audience favorite of Honoluluans was Skhizein.

The 10 finalist films screened 532 times and were judged by audiences in 173 cities over 5 continents during the last week in September. Over 28 000 people voted in this year’s Festival. Less than 100 votes separate the two shorts competing over the title of festival’s best film for 2009.

The best fiction award: Hammerhead, which was the second runner up. UK director Sam Donovan is the first director to appear in the festival final twice, having been a finalist in 2007 with his short film King Ponce.

Best documentary film:Mozambique comes from the 17-year old Alcides Soares, the youngest finalist in the history of Manhattan Short.

Best editing: Isabel de Ocampo for her short film Miente.

2010 Manhattan Short will take place September 26th – October 3rd, and will include venues in Africa.