{"id":359571,"date":"2026-09-29T06:40:13","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T06:40:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/359571\/"},"modified":"2026-09-29T06:40:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T06:40:13","slug":"manhattan-short-film-festival-returns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/359571\/","title":{"rendered":"Manhattan Short Film Festival returns"},"content":{"rendered":"

This week, Plymouth movie buffs can be part of an international jury when\u00a0the Manhattan Short Film Festival returns to the\u00a0Spire Center for Performing Arts, 25 1\/2 Court St., Wednesday, Sept. 30, and Thursday, Oct. 1.<\/p>\n

Audiences at venues around the world watch the same 10 finalist short films, then cast ballots for Best Film and Best Actor. This year\u2019s finalists span 10 countries and move between comedy and drama, touching on migration, reconciliation, parenthood and coming of age.\u00a0Small Talk\u00a0(USA), directed by Eduardo Moral, follows a cab driver preserving human connection in a neon-drenched future dominated by AI.\u00a0Mary Is Missing\u00a0(Ireland), directed by Aisling Byrne, centers on the unsettling disappearance of a care worker.<\/p>\n

In\u00a0Candy Bar\u00a0(Australia), directed by Nash Edgerton, a young girl notices a striking resemblance between a stranger and her father.\u00a0Vultures\u00a0(South Africa), directed by Dian Weys, unfolds in the tense aftermath of a car crash, while\u00a0Life Goes On\u00a0(United Kingdom), directed by Kat Butterfield and Daniel Audritt, is an end-of-life \u201cromp.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hai Davai\u00a0(Moldova), directed by Vlad Gradescu, follows a young woman on the verge of leaving her rural village.\u00a0Pickup\u00a0(Russia), directed by Viktoriia Lapushkina, takes place during a pickup workshop, while\u00a0Norheimsund\u00a0(Cuba), directed by Ana A. Alpizar, explores a long-distance romance.<\/p>\n

When the Sea Was Calm\u00a0(Georgia), directed and animated by Mamuka Tkeshelashvili, is a silent animated short transforming memories of pre-war Sokhumi into a poetic story.\u00a0Never Give Up!\u00a0(Hungary\/Mexico), directed by Tam\u00e1s Yvan Topol\u00e1nszky, follows a young boy attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border. For information on each film, go\u00a0here<\/a>.Doors open at 6 p.m., with films beginning at 7 p.m. For tickets go here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On the music front, if you love soft rock from the \u201970s, singer-songwriter Jon Pousette-Dart performs with guitarist Jim Chapdelaine at the Spire Center for Performing Arts, 25 1\/2 Court St., at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2. Cambridge-born Pousette-Dart was the frontman of the popular 1970s soft rock group the Pousette-Dart Band, known for songs including \u201cAmnesia,\u201d \u201cFor Love\u201d and \u201cFall on Me.\u201d For tickets go here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For fans of \u201980s country music, one of country\u2019s most recognizable voices and catalogs \u2014 Randy Travis in his More Life Tour \u2014 comes to Plymouth Memorial Hall, 83 Court St., on Saturday, Oct. 3. Travis, who suffered a massive stroke in 2013 that severely affected his ability to speak and sing, remains at the center of the music he made famous. He takes the stage with his longtime touring band while singer James Dupr\u00e9 performs the songs. The evening spans a career that helped define traditional country beginning in the 1980s, including \u201cOn the Other Hand,\u201d \u201cThree Wooden Crosses\u201d and, inevitably, \u201cForever and Ever, Amen.\u201d The show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets and information are available through Plymouth Memorial Hall<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Monday, Sept. 28<\/p>\n

\"\"Will Brill and Rob Lowe star in \u201cThe Musical\u201d at Plimoth Cinema.<\/p>\n

The Musical\u00a0is playing at Plimoth Cinema, 137 Warren Ave., and runs through Thursday, Oct. 1. Will Brill stars as Doug, a frustrated playwright stuck teaching middle-school theater while dreaming of bigger things in New York. When he discovers his ex-girlfriend (Gillian Jacobs) is dating his nemesis, the school principal (Rob Lowe), Doug plots revenge by secretly producing the most inappropriate school play imaginable. The unrated comedy runs 1 hour, 24 minutes and screens at 4:30 and 7 p.m. in the Maxwell Theater. For information go here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"Robert Pattinson stars in \u201cPrimetime\u201d at Plimoth Cinema.<\/p>\n

Primetime\u00a0is at Plimoth Cinema, 137 Warren Ave., and runs through Thursday, Oct. 1. Robert Pattinson stars as Chris Hansen in the film, set in 2006 as the\u00a0To Catch a Predatorhost sets out to make television history. The R-rated film runs 1 hour, 50 minutes and screens at 4:30 and 7 p.m. in the Linn Theater. There will be no 4:30 p.m. screening Sunday, Sept. 27, because of a private event. For information go here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tuesday, Sept. 29<\/p>\n

\"\"Author Katherine A. Sherbrooke is coming to Book Love to talk with fellow author Susan Donovan Bernhard.<\/p>\n

Book Love, 7 Village Green South, welcomes authors Susan Donovan Bernhard and Katherine A. Sherbrooke from 6 to 7:30 p.m. for a conversation about their latest books. Bernhard is the author of Westerly and Winter Loon; Sherbrooke\u2019s novels include Leaving Coy\u2019s Hill and This Much Is True. The evening includes an audience Q&A and book signing. Registration required. To register go here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Wednesday, Sept. 30<\/p>\n

\"\"The Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra is becoming the Orchestra-in-Residence at Memorial Hall.<\/p>\n

The Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra will officially become Orchestra-in-Residence with the Town of Plymouth at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Plymouth Memorial Hall, 83 Court St., at 10 a.m. The designation formalizes The Phil\u2019s longstanding relationship with Memorial Hall and the town as the orchestra begins its 111th season. The ceremony will take place on the steps of Memorial Hall, moving indoors in case of inclement weather. For information go here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"The 29th annual Manhattan Short Film Festival is coming to the Spire.<\/p>\n

The 29th annual Manhattan Short Film Festival comes to the Spire Center for Performing Arts, 25 1\/2 Court St. Audiences join moviegoers around the world in viewing 10 finalist short films and casting ballots for Best Film and Best Actor. Doors open at 6 p.m. The show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12. For more, see the lead story. For information go here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cCutting the Cord: Alternatives to Cable TV\u201d is at the Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St. Chuck Nilosek of Cord Cutting New England explains streaming services, equipment and ways to compare streaming with cable at 2 p.m. and from 6 to 7 p.m. Registration required. For information go here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Thursday, Oct. 1<\/p>\n

The Manhattan Short Film Festival returns for a second screening at the Spire Center for Performing Arts, 25 1\/2 Court St. Audience members view the festival\u2019s 10 finalist short films and vote for Best Film and Best Actor. Doors open at 6 p.m. For information go here.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"Learn about the 17th-century life of Sarah Jenney at the Plimoth Pawtuxet Museum.<\/p>\n

Plimoth Patuxet Museums presents \u201cLunch & Learn: More Than a Loving Wife, Sarah Jenney\u201d from noon to 1 p.m. at 137 Warren Ave. Lauren McDonough, site supervisor of the Plimoth Grist Mill, will explore the life of Sarah Carey Jenney, a 17th-century Plymouth wife, landowner and business owner who operated a grist mill. The program is offered in person and online. For information go to www.plimoth.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"Art in Bloom pairs floral arrangements with works from the annual juried art show at the Plymouth Center for the Arts.<\/p>\n

Plymouth Center for the Arts, 11 North St., hosts the opening reception for Art in Bloom from 6 to 8 p.m. Floral arrangements by local garden clubs take inspiration from works in the annual juried art show. The exhibition runs Oct. 1\u20134. Reception tickets are $20. For information go to artsplymouth.org.<\/p>\n

Friday, Oct. 2<\/p>\n

\"\"Artist Jason Olivia speaks with a potential client at last year\u2019s First Fridays.<\/p>\n

First Fridays Plymouth returns for its final installment of 2026 from 5 to 8 p.m. House Cat Vintage, 1 Main St., offers first-come, first-served tarot readings and jewelry by Carol Nelson Jonas; Hedge House, 126 Water St., offers mini-tours; Plymouth Center for the Arts, 11 North St., hosts Irish music by Slainte Plymouth and collage card-making mini-lessons with Nora Cannon; and See Plymouth, 4 North St., features music by Just 2 Guys. Black Dog Plymouth, 14 Main St., holds an all-day Homeport Tee sale from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. For information go here.<\/p>\n

\"\"Tom Cruise stars in the movie \u201cDigger\u201d at Plimoth Cinema.<\/p>\n

Plimoth Cinema, 137 Warren Ave., shows Digger. The new film from Academy Award-winning director Alejandro G. I\u00f1\u00e1rritu stars Tom Cruise, with Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra H\u00fcller, Michael Stuhlbarg and Jesse Plemons. Showtimes are 4:30 and 7 p.m. The R-rated film runs 2 hours, 8 minutes and continues through Oct. 8. For information go to www.plimoth.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"Singer-songwriter Jon Pousette-Dart is coming to the Spire.<\/p>\n

Singer-songwriter Jon Pousette-Dart performs with guitarist Jim Chapdelaine at the Spire Center for Performing Arts, 25 1\/2 Court St., at 8 p.m. Pousette-Dart first gained a national following with the Pousette-Dart Band, while Chapdelaine is a four-time Emmy-winning composer, producer and guitarist. Doors open at 7 p.m. For information go here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Saturday, Oct. 3<\/p>\n

\"\"The seventh annual Fall Fun Fest returns to the Plymouth Public Library.<\/p>\n

The Plymouth Public Library will host its\u00a0seventh annual Fall Fun Fest\u00a0Saturday, Oct. 3, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the library\u2019s front lawn, 132 South St. The free, all-ages Health & Wellness Festival will feature a mobile farmers market and cooking demonstration, health education and risk screenings, and information from local health and social service organizations. There will be activities for children, snacks, music and more. The event is designed to bring health resources and some fall fun together in one family-friendly morning. For more information, go here.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"Country music legend Randy Travis will perform at Memorial Hall.<\/p>\n

Country music legend Randy Travis brings his More Life Tour to Plymouth Memorial Hall, 83 Court St., at 7 p.m. Travis appears onstage alongside his longtime touring band and guest vocalist James Dupr\u00e9, who performs Travis hits including \u201cOn the Other Hand,\u201d \u201cForever and Ever, Amen\u201d and \u201cThree Wooden Crosses.\u201d Doors open at 6 p.m. For information go here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"Boston-based Fat City Band is coming to the Spire.<\/p>\n

The Fat City Band brings its mix of jump blues, swing, New Orleans R&B and roots music to the Spire Center for Performing Arts, 25 1\/2 Court St., at 8 p.m. The Boston-based band is now in its fifth decade. Doors open at 7 p.m. For information go here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Plymouth Swap Shop, 33 Hedges Pond Road in Cedarville, is open from\u00a09 a.m. to noon Saturdays through the end of October. Residents can drop off gently used items \u2014 or browse for something to take home for free \u2014 as part of the town\u2019s effort to reduce waste through reuse and repurposing. The municipally owned Swap Shop is staffed by volunteers and managed by the Plymouth Department of Public Works and Recycling Committee. No after-hours drop-offs allowed. For a list of accepted items go here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"The Plymouth Town-Wide Litter Cleanup returns for its fall edition. (Photo by Judy Beth Morris)<\/p>\n

The Plymouth Town-Wide Litter Cleanup returns for its fall edition, continuing a spring-and-fall tradition of more than 16 years. Volunteers collected more than 4,000 pounds of litter during the spring 2026 cleanup. Join a group, organize your own or participate solo. Purple bags are available at the third-floor Planning Office at Town Hall, 26 Court St. Questions: Patrick Farah, 508-322-3374 or PFarah@Plymouth-MA.gov. For more information go here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"Take some fishing lessons at \u201cTake Me Fishin\u2019!\u201d in Myles Standish State Forest.<\/p>\n

Grab a fishing pole \u2014 or borrow one when you get there \u2014 for\u00a0\u201cTake Me Fishin\u2019!\u201d\u00a0at\u00a0Fearing Pond Day Use Area in Myles Standish State Forest, 194 Cranberry Road, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free family event includes fishing lessons from experienced anglers, crafts and nature activities, animal-themed games, prizes and a fishing contest. Fishing poles and bait are provided free, and no fishing license is required. Fishing ends at 1 p.m., followed by awards and prizes. The event is presented by Mass Wildlife, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Friends of Myles Standish State Forest and Myles Standish State Forest. Free parking is available at Fearing Pond Day Use Area. For information go here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sunday, Oct. 4<\/p>\n

\"\"The music of Joni Mitchell will be performed by Big Yellow Taxi at the Spire.<\/p>\n

Big Yellow Taxi celebrates the music of Joni Mitchell at 3 p.m. as part of the Spire Center\u2019s Sunday Serenades series at 25 1\/2 Court St. Led by vocalist Teresa Loren\u00e7o, the tribute band explores Mitchell\u2019s music from her early folk songs through her pop and jazz-influenced work. Doors open at 2 p.m. For information go here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Julia Marie Davis can be reached at julia@plymouthindependent.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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