MANHATTAN SHORT opens in Philadelphia, PA with a reception marking The Madlab Post's studio Anniversary at the BOK Building

Looking to reserve your spot for our 2020 showings through Oct 31? Go Here

You Be the Judge! Will MANHATTAN SHORT audiences select any Oscar winners this year? Come join us to watch ten captivating short films eligible for an Academy Award nomination as filmgoers in Philadelphia unite with over 100,000 film-lovers in more than 350 cities spanning six continents when the 22nd Annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival screens at The Madlab Post at Bok on Thursday, September 26 - Sunday, October 6, 2019.

MANHATTAN SHORT showing in Philadelphia features 'A Family Affair' directed by Florence Keith-Roach. When Annabelle wakes up in a stranger's bedroom on her 30th birthday, she thinks the day cannot get any worse. But then Bernard walks in... Every audience member will be given a ballot to vote for the best short films and actor at the conclusion of each showing. The directors and actors eagerly await your decision.

MANHATTAN SHORT is an instantaneous celebration of short films that occurs simultaneously across the globe, screening in Sydney, Mumbai, Moscow, Vienna, Cape Town, to cinemas in all fifty states of the United States and beyond. It continues to be a premier showcase for female directors with five of the Final Ten films directed by women. This year’s lineup also represents an extraordinary range of film genres that includes intimate dramas, spine-tingling suspense, and hilarious comedies, as well as genre surprises like a pair of science fiction films and one that focuses on tennis.

The Philadelphia, PA screenings for this global festival begins at 6:30PM on Thursday, September 26 with a reception marking the 2-Year Anniversary of The Madlab Post’s studio opening at the Bok Building. Daily showtimes follow through 4:00PM on Sunday, October 6

    

Screening passes are now available for the MANHATTAN SHORT Philadelphia showtimes:

*Seating is limited and first come, first serve. All showings feature the same program of films each day.Click on the showtime you want to attend and reserve a ticket.

September

Thursday, September 26 - 6:30PM (Opening Night reception + film screening)

Friday, September 27 - 2:00PM (Afternoon Show)

Saturday, September 28 - 1:00PM (Afternoon Show) | 6:30PM (Evening Show)

Sunday, September 29 - 4:00PM (Afternoon Show)

Monday, September 30 - 2:00PM (Afternoon Show)

October

Tuesday, October 1 - 2:00PM (Afternoon Show)

Wednesday, October 2 - 2:00PM (Afternoon Show)

Thursday, October 3 - 2:00PM (Afternoon Show)

Friday, October 4 - 2:00PM (Afternoon Show)

Saturday, October 5 - 1:00PM (Afternoon Show) | 6:30PM (Evening Show)

Sunday, October 6 - 4:00PM (Closing Night toast + film screening)

As a MANHATTAN SHORT screening partner, The Madlab Post loves nothing more than seeing a film our audience voted for at the Academy Awards. Once a nominee is announced, The Madlab Post and loyal audiences around the globe champion those films and filmmakers through digital media all the way to the podium!

Grab your friends and Reserve Your Seats today!

If Not Now, When? Actress Meagan Good Takes a Seat in the Director's Chair

HBO's documentary on The Apollo Theater, a New York City landmark that helped launch the careers of many musical and comedic stars, are among the highly anticipated films that I have no doubt will enjoy sold-out shows when audiences pack AMC Empire 25 in Times Square for the 23rd Annual Urbanworld Film Festival this year. That's why out of the 78 films to choose from, I'm hoping that moviegoers also make it a point to show up in support of the latest work from actress Meagan Good whose directorial debut If Not Now, When? is screening in Urbanworld's U.S. Narrative Features category.

If Not Now, When? directed by Meagan Good and Tamara Bass is showing Saturday Sep 21 at the 23rd Annual Urbanworld Film Festival

Written and Co-Directed by Tamara Bass, If Not Now, When? is an indie drama about four women who were friends since high school and saw their bonds deteriorate over the years following disagreements, love and fights. After nearly 15 years of not speaking, two of these women are forced back together with the others when one of them suffers a crisis. The four women soon discover that they also need each other, and that sisterhood, to make it through what is currently happening in their individual lives.

Speaking of sisterhood, a lot of women are leading the pack in Urbanworld's main lineup. Whether Harriet, Kasi Lemmons' biopic about abolitionist Harriet Tubman, will buck the trend of this mainstream fixation with slavery (and the heavily skewed retelling of that era that brings a certain level of detachment from and denial of systemic issues impacting African Americans and race relations in America today) by offering audiences a whole new take on the story, remains to be seen.

My guess is Black and Blue (to be released in October), an action thriller starring Naomi Harris (Moonlight, Spectre) about a rookie cop who is on the run after inadvertently capturing a murder by corrupt cops on her body cam, will be one of the best on Urbanworld's schedule. However, I'm rooting for If Not Now, When? because as an indie film, it is at risk of getting lost in the shuffle of audience attention as people rush to grab a seat for the tentpole titles. I've done it myself before.

But If Not Now, When? is not just any indie film. It's directed by an actress who is taking control of not only her career options but also the kind of stories that she wants to be a part of today's cinematic landscape. I can get behind that because it seems like a positive story and I think we can all relate to the habit of losing touch with people in our lives and only catching up with them at a funeral or some kind of tragic event. Plus, while I've always liked a lot of the movies Meagan Good played in, it often seemed as if she either didn't pursue or wasn't given opportunities to pursue material that stretched a bit further out of her chill zone. 

In addition to playing a lot of cool, cute, "homegirl" characters, Meagan has been acting for a long time (her career spans 30 years) and aside from large box office hits like Minority Report and Think Like a Man, the bulk of work I've seen her do consists of supporting roles in urban dramas and comedies. Many unremarkable. The kind of movies that you watch to enjoy a weeknight at home while reheating yesterdays take-out dinner of cheesesteaks and wings.

With If Not Now, When? I'm not suggesting that her filmography has to be all peaches and rainbows either. I had high hopes for Meagan when the prime time drama Deception debuted on NBC a few years ago. I watched that show -- in which Meagan Good played a detective who goes undercover with the FBI to investigate the murder of an heiress -- every week, discussing each episode with family members who did the same, before NBC canceled it after one season. It was refreshing to see her in a leading role and spreading her wings with material that brought audiences (what seemed to be) a bit more substance.

It is exciting to see Meagan stepping into the driver's seat and creating pathways to be in a lead role where she can best utilize her talents, regardless of which side of the camera she's on.

What is your favorite film starring Meagan Good, to date?

How well do you think the film industry is doing in terms of its on-screen portrayal of bonds between women?

Presenting the Oscar Nominated Short Films! Our 2019 Showtimes in Philadelphia

As a participant in the national release of short films nominated for this year's Academy Awards, The Madlab Post is proud to offer audiences in the Philadelphia Tri-State area the rare opportunity to experience all categories in this cinematic showcase; including Live Action, Documentary and Animated shorts now through March 16, 2019.

"Period. End of Sentence." is about a group of women and girls leading a quiet revolution against the stigma of menstruation in a rural village outside Delhi, India. Now showing among all OSCAR nominated short films at The Madlab Post.Ticket holders attending The Madlab Post's presentation of all 2019 Oscar Nominated Short Films on select dates will also enjoy thematic surprises such as Trivia games with official OSCAR ballots, fireside chats on women's health and an exhibition featuring women in film among other attractions.

The exhibition is scheduled to include my exclusive one-on-one with Period. End of Sentence. director Rayka Zehtabchi -- the first Iranian-American woman to win an Oscar -- who discusses her filmmaking journey, and more.

The Madlab Post's screening room has limited seating capacity. We recommend that you purchase tickets in advance for the Oscar Shorts performance you wish you attend and don't miss this year's selection of the Best Short films recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences!

OSCAR Nominated Short Films 2019 Philadelphia Showtimes:

ANIMATION 

RESERVE YOUR SEAT

• Wednesday, March 6 - 5:00PM
• Sunday, March 10 - 1:00PM

DOCUMENTARY 

RESERVE YOUR SEAT

• Thursday, March 7 - 5:00PM 
• Saturday, March 9 - 1:00PM 
• Sunday, March 10 - 4:30PM 

LIVE ACTION

RESERVE YOUR SEAT

• Friday, March 8 - 5:00PM 
• Saturday, March 9 - 5:00PM

*VIEWER DISCRETION is Strongly Advised: This year's Live Action category contains a heavy group of short films that you can consider equivalent to an "R" rating. Themes include imperiled children, murder and racial violence. We want to ensure the comfort of all guests. If you are particularly affected by controversial subject matter, please carefully consider whether a performance is appropriate for you before planning to attend. 

"One Small Step" is a Chinese-American film about an ambitious young girl who aspires to be an astronaut with the support of her humble father. Now playing among all 2019 Oscar Animated Short Films at The Madlab Post.Stay tuned for additional dates and showtimes as this year's Oscar Nominated Short Films continues its run at The Madlab Post in Philadelphia! 

Want to be notified as soon as New Dates and Showtimes become available? Grab Your ANYTIME Pass, our fully flexible Advance Tickets, and you will be among the first to receive all additional showtimes for the Oscar Nominated Short Films playing at The Madlab Post now through March 16, 2019.