Manhattan International Film Festival

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 9th MIFF. Submissions will be reviewed by a distinguished global jury panel and the selected finalists will be invited to the Festival Screening in New York City. At the festival, the top finalists 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, the winners will be selected, and their films will subsequently be screened at prominent WYA events and cultural gatherings around the world. The 9th MIFF Festival Screening and Announcement of Winners will be held on March 1, 2020 at New York City. From hundreds of film submissions from around the globe, World Youth Alliance is pleased to announce the four winners of the 8th edition of the Film Festival. FIRST PLACE Jordan Hwang, USA, The Mask from Home SECOND PLACE Jake Oleson, USA, Please and Thank You THIRD PLACE Georgie Yukiko Donovan, the UK, AMA FOURTH PLACE Ryan Zhang, USA, Waiting HONORABLE MENTION Rita Attieh, Lebanon, Emma WYA wishes to thank all filmmakers for their submissions to the Festival.