LEWISTON — Get ready to be a film critic for the 21st annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28 and 29, at The Public Theatre, 31 Maple St.

Nine short films from around the world will be simultaneously screened in over 300 cities spanning six continents during a one-week period, with the Best Film and Best Actor awards determined by the total ballots cast by the audiences in this Oscar-qualified film festival.

The nine MANHATTAN SHORT films hail from eight countries with films from Austria, Canada, Germany, Hungary, Kosovo, New Zealand, U.S. and two films from the United Kingdom. These nine short films represent the best short films from among 1,565 submissions from 73 countries, testimony to the enduring vibrancy and creativity of short films. This year’s final nine represent a range of film genres that includes intimate dramas, fast-paced animation, spine-tingling tales, a World War II epic and a film shot entirely underwater.

The festival finalists are: “Lacrimosa,” (Austria); “Fauve” (Canada); “Someone” (Germany); “Chuchotage” (Hungary); “Her” (Kosovo); “Fire In Cardboard City” (New Zealand); “Baghead” and “Two Strangers Who Meet Five Times” (UK); and “Home Shopper” (U.S.).

All festival attendees at all viewing locations will vote to decide on the best of the final nine short films, the work of the next generation of filmmakers from around the world. 

For tickets call 207-782-3200 or visit thepublictheatre.org. 

Still shot from Austrian director Tanja Maritsch’s film “Lacrimosa.”