From September 22nd to October 2nd, 2022, over 100,000 film lovers in over 500 cities across six continents gathered in cinemas, museums, universities and, of course, libraries, to view and vote on the finalists’ films in the 25th Annual Manhattan Short Film Festival! This festival does not travel, but was instead experienced simultaneously around the world. After each screening, viewers voted for their favorite film and actor. The worldwide tallies have been counted, and the winners have now been announced. Click here for the full list of film finalists for 2022!
Here are the winners according to how FTPL patrons voted:
FILM
First Place: The Treatment
Second Place: Freedom Swimmer
Third Place (Tie): Don Vs Lightning
Third Place (Tie): Freefall
ACTOR
First Place: Elina Patrakka (The Blanket)
Second Place: Peter Mullen (Don vs Lightning)
Third Place: Abraham Lewis (Freefall)
After the final worldwide tally, the winners for best movie are:
Gold Medal: The Treatment
Directed by: Alvaro Carmona
Cast: David Ramírez, Carla Torres, Álvaro Carmona
Country: Spain
Time: 9:00
Synopsis: A clinic offers bald men a full-proof way to restore hair…as long as you’re okay with one controversial but related side effect.
Silver Medal: Freefall
Directed by: Emmanuel Tenenbaum
Cast: Abraham Lewis, Vincent Regan, Packy Lee, Bally Gill
Country: France
Time: 19:28
Synopsis: A London stockbroker with a bad track record makes the bet of his life when New York’s World Trade Center is attacked on 9/11. Inspired by a true story.
Bronze Medal: Freedom Swimmer
Directed by: Olivia Martin McGuire
Cast: Anonymous
Country: Australia & France
Time: 15:00
Synopsis: A man’s perilous swim from China to Hong Kong parallels his granddaughter’s desire for freedom beyond a city once viewed as a refuge.
After the final worldwide tally, the winner for best actor is:
Gold Medal: Elina Petrakka (The Blanket)
Directed by: Teppo Airaksinen
Cast: Elina Patrakka, Iida-Maria Heinonen, Elina Keinonen
Country: Finland
Time: 14:57
Synopsis: Winter, 1939 Finland. A 10-year-old girl is sent to fetch milk for her baby brother. There are hazards more dangerous than thin ice.
We hope you enjoyed the festival if you attended!
Thanks for reading,
George, FTPL
