Maine's Frontier Café Cinema & Gallery in Brunswick, The Railroad Square Cinema in Waterville and Grand theatre in Ellsworth will unite with over seventy other cinemas in 49 other States of America, via the 12th Annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival which will take place across five continents between the 21st and 27th of September 2009.

"There seems to be a new willingness among Americans to re-engage with the world and the participation of cinemas in all 50 states in an international event seems to reflect that," said Nicholas Mason, founding director of the Festival.

Each year MANHATTAN SHORT selects twelve short films from around the world and distributes them across five continents. During the course of one week, cinema audiences at each venue are asked to vote for their favorite short film. Votes from each venue are tabulated and sent through to MANHATTAN SHORT headquarters and the winner is announced after the last show in NYC on the last Sunday in September. This year marks the first time in the Festival's history that all 50 states of the United States participate in the Festival.

"Once the word got out that we were really interested in getting participation from every state, the response from cinemas, cinema bookers, film societies, and state film commissioners was overwhelming," said Mason. "People were calling us, emailing us, telling us they just wanted to be part of it. I'm not sure whether it is a change in the Presidency or whatever, but you really got the sense that the people in this country are really proud to be part of this country, and they want to unite, and I am just so happy to be part of it. I don't think this would have happened two years ago." Added Mason, who heralds from Sydney Australia

MANHATTAN SHORT continues to expand its reach every year with more screenings in more countries. In 2008, the Festival presented 295 shows in 115 cities on four continents in one week. This year the Festival has already booked over 293 shows in 79 cities across all 50 states of the US alone. And with a deadline of June 30 for cinemas to confirm bookings, the festival is expecting at least 500 shows in North and South America, Australia, Europe, and Asia to take place during one week in September this year.

For filmmakers wishing to enter the 2009 Manhattan Short Film Festival, the Festival carries a July 31st Deadline. Films must be 18 minutes and under in length. For more information visit the Festival's website at www.ManhattanShort.com