The Paramount Theater of Charlottesville

You Be the Judge!

Manhattan Short is a celebration of short films and was established in 1998 on the streets of New York City. Today, it has transformed into a worldwide phenomenon as it screens ten compelling shorts in 500+ cinemas simultaneously during the week of September 26 to October 6, 2024.

Manhattan Short doesn’t have judges award the short films. Instead, they allow the audience (i.e. You) to be the judge. The audience votes for their choice of Best Film and Best Actor. Then on the last day of the festival, the short films with the most votes are announced as the winners. Manhattan Short is for film lovers who want to experience unique and riveting stories from all around the world.

The Films

THE TALENT

Directed by: Thomas May Bailey
Principal Cast: Emma D’Arcy, Leo Suter, Rhianne Barreto, David Mills
Country: United Kingdom
Running Time: 15:00

Synopsis: On the set of a luxury car commercial, an overlooked assistant seizes his chance to get noticed by the star. A tense exploration of masculinity, becoming, and desire.

I’M NOT A ROBOT

Directed by: Victoria Warmerdam
Principal Cast: Ellen Parren, Henry van Loon, Thekla Reuten
Country: The Netherlands
Running Time: 22:00

Synopsis: A woman repeatedly fails a computer security test. Suddenly, her humanity is called into question.

MOTHER

Directed by: Mariia Felenko
Principal Cast: Veronika Shostak, Inna Belikova
Country: Ukraine
Running Time: 8:00

Synopsis: At the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Katya decides to leave her hometown and take her mother. But mother is getting her nails done.

DOVECOTE

Directed by: Marco Perego
Principal Cast: Zoe Saldaña, Marcello Fonte, Gaia Scodellaro, and twenty real inmates as her co-stars from the Giudecca Prison in Venice
Country: Italy
Running Time: 17:30

Synopsis: A small boat navigates the canals of Venice, Italy only to stop at a women’s prison where an inmate is poised to rediscover freedom.

ALARMS

Directed by: Nicolas Panay
Principal Cast: Thomas Coumans, Laurence Côte, Eminé Meyrem
Country: France
Running Time: 17:00

Synopsis: Pierre is diligently overseeing the completion of the tumultuous construction site under his responsibility, ensuring that progress doesn’t come at the cost of safety.

FAVOURITES

Directed by: Nick Russell
Principal Cast: Stephen Curry, Sibylla Budd, Tony Briggs, Maria Angelico, Chris Labbett, Imogen Labbett, Amanda Russell
Country: Australia
Running Time: 5:17

Synopsis: Two parents face an impossible choice when their family camping trip goes terribly wrong.

THE MAN WHO COULD NOT REMAIN SILENT

Directed by: Nebojša Slijepčević
Principal Cast: Goran Bogdan, Alexis Manenti, Dragan Mićanović, Silvio Mumelaš
Country: Croatia, Bulgaria, France, Slovenia
Running Time: 13:00

Synopsis: Bosnia, 1993. Paramilitary forces stop a train in an ethnic cleansing operation. Only one man out of 500 passengers dares to stand up to them. A true story and winner of the 2024 Palme D’Or at Cannes.

ROOM TAKEN

Directed by: TJ O’Grady-Peyton
Principal Cast: Gabriel Adewusi, Brid Brennan
Country: Ireland
Running Time: 18:00

Synopsis: A homeless man moves in with a blind woman who doesn’t know he’s there. A strange bond develops.

JANE AUSTEN’S PERIOD DRAMA

Directed by: Julia Aks, Steve Pinder
Principal Cast: Julia Aks, Lachlan Ta’imua Hannemann, Samantha Smart, Nicole Alyse Nelson, Hugo Armstrong
Country: USA
Running Time: 13:00

Synopsis: England, 1813. In the middle of a long-awaited marriage proposal, Miss Estrogenia Talbot gets her period. Her suitor, Mr. Dickley, mistakes the blood for an injury, and it soon becomes clear that his expensive education has missed a spot.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! The Paramount Theater is pleased to bring diverse programming to the stage and screen. The Theater does not provide advisories about subject matter for events, as sensitivities vary. Not all events may appeal to, or be appropriate for, every person. Patrons are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the shows offered in order to make informed decisions prior to purchasing tickets.

In addition to show synopses, trailers, and reviews on our web events, other resources about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb, and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches. For further questions, please contact the Box Office at 434.979.1333 or at boxoffice@theparamount.net, 10AM-2PM Monday-Friday + 1 hour before events.