The Manhattan Short Film Festival (ManhattanShort.com) has selected 12 finalists now screening across four continents this week — including here, at Vineyard Haven’s Katharine Cornell Theatre on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m.

Island film lovers will have the opportunity to view and vote on the next generation of filmmakers. There were 429 entries from 42 countries. This week the finalists screen 295 times in 115 cities, from St. Petersburg, Russia to St. Kilda in Melbourne, Australia.

After each screening, audience members can vote for their favorite film. The votes will be tallied and sent directly to the Manhattan Short headquarters where the winner will be announced in New York city at 10 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28.

In 2007 three of the finalists went on to screen at the Sundance Film Festival in which one won, another was later nominated for a BAFTA, while another went on to receive an Oscar Nomination.

“We are expecting similar results if not better with this year’s crop. The films are simply outstanding,” said festival director Nicholas Mason.

Finalists are: Ripple (UK); Mother, Mine (UK); Ode Ober (The Netherlands); Make My Day (Denmark); Rachel (USA); The Game (New Zealand); Teat Beat of Sex (USA) (director Signe Baumane this month presented her short at the Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival); Change Coming (Australia); Sour Milk (Israel); Viva Sunita (India); New Boy (Ireland); Golden Thread (Spain); Not-Rated (Adult themes).

Presented by the Martha’s Vineyard Film Society, this program has always sold out. Admission is $8, or $5 for society members. Doors open at 7 p.m. at the theatre on Spring street in Vineyard Haven. For details, call 774-392-2972.