Blog: Film festivals

The Manhattan International Film Festival (MIFF) is an annual cultural initiative of the World Youth Alliance (WYA) seeking to recognize promising young directors committed to exploring the depth of the human condition. Previous films recognized by the festival have examined themes relating to family, community, suffering, empathy, the pursuit of happiness, truth, and the transcendent.

WYA invites young directors to submit short films to the 7th MIFF. Submissions will be reviewed by a distinguished jury panel and 10 finalists will be invited to screen their films during the Festival Screening in New York City. At the festival, each finalist will have a chance to screen their short film. Screenings will be attended by WYA members and New York general public audience. At the conclusion of the festival, 4 finalists will be selected as winners, and their films will subsequently be screened at prominent WYA events and cultural gatherings around the world. The 7th MIFF Festival Screening and Announcement of Winners will be held on March, 2019 at New York City.

From hundreds of film submissions from around the globe, World Youth Alliance is pleased to announce the ten finalists of the 6th Festival in no particular order.

Stephanie Dieter, USA, Anthems: A Journey Around The World
Benjamin Schweky, USA, Chocolate Cake
Anthony Scalia, USA, Jimmy Scalia: An Honest For Portrait
The Institute for Documentary Filmmaking Life in Strides team, USA, Life In Strides
Maria Jacobs and Margaret Graves, USA, My Mind Is A Medicine Cabinet
TJ Noel-Sullivan, USA, Role Model
Gloria Tauk, Lebanon, RONDO
Harrison Fuller, USA, Sentiment
Phoebe Holman, UK, Towards Harmony: A Musical Integration
Joe Lee, Taiwan, What I Called Love

WYA wishes to thank all filmmakers for their submissions to the Festival.