The silver screen comes alive in Phoenicia this November as Asbury Shorts USA, New York City’s longest-running short film showcase, brings its 44th Short Film Concert to the Phoenicia Playhouse for one day only. On Sunday, November 9, programming kicks off at 2pm with a two-hour lineup of internationally acclaimed short films spanning genres, styles, and decades.
Now in its sixth year at the Playhouse, Asbury Shorts USA offers what founder Doug LeClaire calls “a fast-paced, two-hour celebration of cinema’s most creative voices.” The program blends festival favorites, Oscar nominees, and global award-winners—films you won’t find on streaming platforms or social media feeds. “The best short film show I’ve ever seen,” director Jason Reitman (Juno, Up in the Air) once said of the event.
Asbury Shorts screenings have been held everywhere from Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts to London’s Royal Festival Hall and Central Park’s SummerStage, bringing the magic of short-form storytelling to audiences around the world. And though it isn’t their custom to reveal the line-up ahead of time, Leclair teases two films that will be included in this edition: Inter-Library Loan, an eight-minute dance film from director/choreographer Marta Renzi; and Anomaly, a 15-minute drama directed by Ryan Jenkins and produced by Spencer Sherry.
This year’s Phoenicia program continues that tradition with a mix of new and classic works, pairing American indie gems with international festival standouts. Each screening is curated for emotional range and pacing—comedy, drama, and documentary pieces sequenced like a live music setlist, hence the moniker “Short Film Concert.”
For the Phoenicia Playhouse, hosting Asbury Shorts has become an annual highlight. Founded nearly 50 years ago by the Shandaken Theatrical Society, the Playhouse occupies a historic c.1887 building originally constructed by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Just off Phoenicia’s Main Street, the intimate theater serves as a cultural anchor for the Catskills, hosting live performances, music, youth programming, and film events throughout the year.
The return of Asbury Shorts underscores the Playhouse’s mission to bring high-caliber arts experiences to its rural community. “The Playhouse is such a special venue for this kind of event,” LeClaire says. “The audience here really engages with the films—the laughter, the surprises, the reactions remind you why seeing movies in a theater matters.”
Tickets for the November 9 screening are $15 general admission, available at phoeniciaplayhouse.com or by calling 845-688-2279. The event is recommended for ages 16 and up.
An Afternoon of the World’s Best Short Films- Phoenicia Playhouse
Time Sun., Nov. 9, 2-4:15 p.m. 2025
Location Phoenicia Playhouse, 10 Church Street, Phoenicia
Description Asbury Shorts Intl returns for a 6th year to the Phoenicia Playhouse to present an afternoon screening of globally honored comedy, dramatic and animated short films. 2:00pm showtime. Recommended for ages 16 and above. The 44th Asbury Short Film Concert.
