«Hold On», winning short film of the Manhattan Short Film Festival

Last Sunday, the winner of the 2016 edition of the Manhattan Short Film Festival was announced in New York. From the votes received from cities across all continents, the short film “Hold On”, by the Dutch Charlotte Scott-Wilson, was chosen as the winner with 19,210 votes. In the best actor category, Charlie Chan Dagelete was the winner with 36,746 votes, for her work in the short film “Hold On”.

The festival, organized by Salamanca Film Commission, received around four hundred spectators on September 27, 28, 29, and 30, who filled the eight sessions offered at the Museum of Commerce. Simultaneously, more than 100,000 people from 250 cities worldwide were doing the same in different cinemas, galleries, and coffee shops across the 5 continents. Salamanca viewers opted for the animated short film “I am a pencil”, with 55 votes, by Australian filmmakers Joe & Carol D'arcy, followed by the short film by Dutch Charlotte Scott-Wilson, “Hold on”, with 54 votes, and the third place in the voting was taken by the Russian film “Bravoma”, by Evelina Barsegian, with 53 votes. In the best actor section, Charlie Chan Dagelete was chosen as the winner for her performance in the short film “Hold on”, with 306 votes.

The Manhattan Short Film Festival, thanks to Salamanca Film Commission, is being held for the seventh time in the city. This year it has again featured the collaboration of the Museum of Commerce; in previous editions, it was held at the Juan Pablo II Auditorium of the Pontifical University, at the Fonseca Auditorium, and at the Casa de las Conchas.
Participating in the Manhattan Short represents a significant advancement in the professional careers of filmmakers, as several short films from past editions have been nominated for Oscars in the short film category, British BAFTAs, French Cesars, or have competed for awards at major festivals like Sundance. The festival prize consists of screening the winning short film on one of Manhattan's streets at a showing to which various New York producers are invited.