“I'm a little lost for words after hearing that Room Taken has won this award, especially considering the incredible standard and caliber of the films taking part in this festival. It's been an amazing experience to see audiences' reactions from all over the world, and for the film to resonate with so many people is hugely rewarding. A MASSIVE thank you to the entire team at MANHATTAN SHORT. Congratulations to you for hosting such a brilliant event that celebrates film. The Room Taken team is honored to receive this award. We couldn't have done it without our incredible cast, crew, Vico Films, Screen Ireland, and, of course, the audience who voted for us. It means so much to us—thank you!"

TJ O'Grady-Peyton - Room Taken
Gold Medal Winner 2024

"For The Stupid Boy to win - a film about the power of love and kindness in response to nationalism, racism and hatred - means so much, especially today. It is a film for peace, in a world waking up to the news of another war; where there are so many atrocities and so much pain, it dares to believe a different way - a way that loves, even when it might seem stupid to do so. And in doing so, it offers hope. The fact that thousands of people, in hundreds of venues around the world have voted for this story gives me hope. Perhaps we can each dare to believe in love again. Perhaps we can each find ways of looking for it, even in the worst situations. Thank you so much Nick and all the Manhattan team. I am so moved by this and so grateful to you and to all the people that voted."

Phil Dunn - The Stupid Boy
Gold Medal Winner 2023

"Thank you very much to all of you who have voted for the short film, it is a great honor. I would especially like to dedicate it to my cousins, who unfortunately have stopped talking to me since the short film was premiered."

Álvaro Carmona - The Treatment
Gold Medal Winner 2022

"I am honored to have won the MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival with my film Archibald Syndrome. This is by far the most beautiful and unexpected award I could have wished for. I say this because it is the public that votes and decides. An international public living on all continents, in big cities or small towns. With totally different lifestyles and cultures. But despite all these differences, all these people have a common language, a universal language that we have always shared: the language of stories. Stories that we tell each other and that unite us. I am so happy that my story, my film, was shared with all these people and that they decided to vote for it."

Daniel Perez - Archibald's Syndrome
Gold Medal Winner 2021

"MANHATTAN SHORT is such a cool and unique film festival. Going global to so many places that don't necessarily have festivals at their fingertips and bringing communities together worldwide to watch a carefully curated selection of films and then empowering them to vote for their favorite films and actors is not only global entertainment and cinematic democracy at work, but such a gorgeous way to share diverse stories and talents, tear-down stereo-types and misconceptions and bridge understanding through cinema throughout the world. Love it!"

Farah Nabulsi - The Present
Gold Medal Winner 2020

"We are so incredibly thrilled to have won Manhattan Short Film Festival! This festival is one of the most special places for a filmmaker to showcase their work. We always wanted Sylvia to be watched and loved by audiences and this is the only film festival reaching audiences worldwide, and to have their vote means more to us than anything. Having watched all 10 films, the standard was exceptional and we did not expect to win against such a great selection. We cannot thank enough, Nick Mason and the amazing team at Manhattan Short and all the people who watched, voted and wrote to us personally about Sylvia. To have touched so many people is a wonderful feeling and we are truly honored that you voted for our film."

Richard Prendergast - Sylvia
Gold Medal Winner 2019