Manchester Film Festival

Manchester Film Festival BAFTA and BIFA-qualifying festival, screening the best independent film from around the world since 2015.

05/06/2026

It's live. 🎬

THE EMPTIES is now on Kickstarter.

It's a short musical film. Two teenagers. One night. Songs already written. Songs already recorded. Now we need to make the film.

Mia is 15 and invisible at a party while everyone celebrates around her. Jack is 16 next door, quietly cleaning up after his grieving dad. Neither of them is heard by a single adult.

Until they find each other.

The music is by Noah Jack Bailey. It's the real thing. Videos from the recording sessions for the film.

We're raising £8k on Kickstarter. Link in bio. Back us, share us, tell someone who needs to hear this story.

03/06/2026

Manchester Film Festival is proud to support THE EMPTIES.

Directed by Festival Director Neil Jeram-Croft and Al Bailey. With original songs by Noah Jack Bailey. A short musical film about two teenagers — invisible to the adults around them — who find each other through music on one extraordinary night.

The songs are already recorded. They're extraordinary. The film deserves to be made.

A Kickstarter campaign is live today. Head to the link in our bio. Back it, share it, be part of it.

 Independent film starts here. 🎶

SupportIndieFilm

23/04/2026

👽👽👽👽👽

Last month, our red carpet reporters Ricky (), Lottie (.ottieh) and Anne () caught up with filmmakers to ask which movie they’d show to visitors from beyond the stars🌟

Want to walk the red carpet and show your film at MFF27? Our Early Bird film submission deadline is on Tuesday 28 April, find out more and submit your film at the link in bio🔗

We're looking for volunteer screeners - applications are open now!🎬Help us prepare for MFF27 by reviewing films from the...
17/04/2026

We're looking for volunteer screeners - applications are open now!🎬

Help us prepare for MFF27 by reviewing films from the UK and around the world, and gain hands-on experience developing a film festival programme.

As a screener, you'll watch a weekly selection of shorts and features, and work with the Programming team to decide which ones should be shown on the big screen at MFF27.📽

Sounds great, right?

You don't need any prior experience, just a passion for film and a few hours every week to spend watching creative and thought-provoking short films.

ℹ️Please note:
There are 8 volunteer positions available for this team
This opportunity is only open to people based in Greater Manchester

🔗Apply at the link in bio before 5 May to put yourself forward!

to the World Premiere of at MFF25!From the red carpet at the Odeon GN, DEPARTURES is coming to cinemas across the UK ...
16/04/2026

to the World Premiere of at MFF25!

From the red carpet at the Odeon GN, DEPARTURES is coming to cinemas across the UK from tomorrow, and tickets are available now.

DEPARTURES is a British LGBT+ drama following Benji, a Manchester-based man navigating a raw, toxic breakup from his partner, Jake (). Through a non-linear narrative, the film explores their intense, chaotic relationship - featuring monthly Amsterdam trips - and Benji’s subsequent spiral into dangerous hook-ups, described as “Shirley Valentine meets Trainspotting”.

📅 is out this Friday!!🚨Departures was a festival fave when it premiered to a sold-out audience at MFF last year. It’s si...
13/04/2026

📅 is out this Friday!!🚨

Departures was a festival fave when it premiered to a sold-out audience at MFF last year. It’s since been long listed and is now getting its theatrical release with , coming to a screen near you this Friday🤩

DEPARTURES is a British LGBT+ drama following Benji, a Manchester-based man navigating a raw, toxic breakup from his partner, Jake (). Through a non-linear narrative, the film explores their intense, chaotic relationship - featuring monthly Amsterdam trips - and Benji’s subsequent spiral into dangerous hook-ups, described as “Shirley Valentine meets Trainspotting”.

Tickets available now!

We want to hear your thoughts on MFF26🤝2026 was a monumental year for MFF. We want to make sure that the festival keeps ...
09/04/2026

We want to hear your thoughts on MFF26🤝

2026 was a monumental year for MFF. We want to make sure that the festival keeps growing, and continues to be innovative, inspiring, and entertaining - and we need your help to do so!

🔗Visit the link in bio to complete our feedback form and share any highlights or points to improve for the future, we really appreciate it.

Until next year!👋

Has it really been a week already?!After a momental 12th year, MFF wrapped up last Sunday with the Manchester premiere o...
07/04/2026

Has it really been a week already?!

After a momental 12th year, MFF wrapped up last Sunday with the Manchester premiere of California Schemin’ at Aviva Studios.

Along the way we…
🌍Welcomed filmmakers from across the world
🎞️Screened almost 200 films
👋Met audience members from all over Manchester and the whole UK
🎤Held insightful Q&As and industry talks
👥Created a space for film lovers and filmmakers to meet, talk, and share their passion for all things cinema

If you joined us for one screening or 30, thank you so much for being part of what makes MFF so special, and we hope to see you again next year💚

If you have a sec, please fill out our feedback form with any thoughts which we can use to keep developing the festival further. Link in bio🔗

28/03/2026

📣Here’s to local talent!📣

The North West Shorts are the heart of Manchester Film Festival, and over this year’s 3 sessions we’ve seen a huge range of style, substance, and talent.

Thanks to everyone who’s joined us at MFF26 so far, and there’s still so in store today and tomorrow!

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M34EN

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