Rockland — Filmgoers will unite with audiences in more than 300 cities spanning six continents to view and judge the work of the next generation of filmmakers from around the world when the 15th annual Manhattan Short Film Festival screens Thursday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Strand Theatre, 345 Main St.

Out of 520 entries received from 49 countries around the world, Manhattan Short selected 10 short films as finalists, each 18 minutes or less in length. Countries represented this year include Norway, The Netherlands, Russia, England, Ireland, Peru, France, Romania, Spain and the United States.

These short films will not only entertain a global audience but also will be judged by them as well. Filmgoers will be handed a voting card upon entry and asked to vote for the one film they feel should win. Votes are tallied at each participating cinema and submitted to festival headquarters where the winner will be announced in New York City and posted to the Manhattan Short website on Sunday, Oct. 7.

This year’s festival finalists are “The Devil’s Ballroom” (Norway), “A Curious Conjunction of Coincidences” (Holland), “Where Does the Sea Flow” (Russia), “Two & Two” (England), “Cluck” (Ireland), “Behind the Mirrors” (Peru), “The Elaborate End of Robert Ebb” (England), “Superman, Spiderman or Batman” (Romania), “92 Skybox Alonzo Mourning Rookie Card” (USA) and “Voice Over” (Spain). For details about the festival, visit msfilmfest.com. For the Strand showing, call 594-0070 or send email to info@rocklandstrand.com.

Courier Publications’ A&E Editor Dagney C. Ernest can be reached at (207) 594-4401 or dernest@courierpublicationsllc.com.