The 12th edition of the Manchester Film Festival begins tomorrow, bringing more than 50 feature films, eight world premieres and a packed programme of shorts to venues across the city for ten days of independent cinema.
Returning for 2026 with what its founder and director Neil Jeram-Croft has described as the festival’s “most ambitious year to date”, Manchester Film Festival runs from 19-29 March across venues including HOME, Aviva Studios and the Odeon Great Northern, bringing together international filmmakers and local talent for what has become one of the UK’s fastest-growing film events.
The festival is both BAFTA-qualifying for British short films and BIFA-qualifying for shorts and features, meaning films screening in Manchester can go on to be eligible for two of the UK’s most prestigious awards in cinema.
That status has helped attract an increasingly high-profile and international lineup, and 2026 is set to be the biggest yet.
The line-up is stacked with both international indie names and recognisable faces, with titles spanning everything from experimental comedy art shorts about why sheep ‘baa’ to star-led dramas awarded the Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival.
A Star-Studded Start
The festival kicks off with a double bill gala at Aviva Studios.
First up is Psychopomp, the directorial debut of Kit Harrington, in which Harry Melling stars as a desperate man who enlists a hired assassin to help end his life.
It is followed by Good Boy, Jan Komasa’s dark psychological thriller starring Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough, screening the night before its theatrical release.
Must-See Features
The wider feature lineup is exceptional by any measure.
Among the biggest draws are Jim Jarmusch’s Father Mother Sister Brother, boasting an ensemble cast including Cate Blanchett, Adam Driver, Vicky Krieps and Charlotte Rampling; Alice Winocour’s Couture, led by Angelina Jolie; and the regional premiere of The Souffleur, directed by Gaston Solnicki and starring Willem Dafoe.
On the British side, Mark Jenkin’s Rose of Nevada, starring George MacKay and Callum Turner, is among the most anticipated, while Erupcja, directed by Pete Ohs and starring Charli XCX, has already generated considerable buzz.
Further standouts include Rebuilding, directed by Max Walker-Silverman and starring BAFTA-winning actor Josh O’Connor; Rhino, a nature documentary narrated by Tom Hardy; and One of Us, starring Kit Connor in his horror debut.
Made in Manchester
One of the most distinctive aspects of this year’s programme is its commitment to local talent, with three Manchester-made features receiving their world premieres at the festival.
Chatlines, from Lloyd Eyre Morgan and Neil Ely – the directors behind last year’s festival standout premiere, Departures – is a sharply observed LGBT sci-fi drama starring Mancunian actor Nico Mirallegro that explores loneliness and intimacy in the digital age.
Synthesized, directed by Chris Green and starring Thomas Turgoose of This is England, examines ambition and identity through music culture.
Rounding out the trio is The Oldham Man and the Sea, a homegrown documentary feature from local filmmaking duo Colin Offland and Marc Ingham, telling a quietly powerful story of perseverance.
The Shorts Programme
While the headline features bring star power, short films remain central to the festival’s identity. This year’s programme spans from experimental arthouse films to emerging, gritty British voices, including a dedicated North West Shorts strand showcasing regional talent.
From playful, offbeat concepts to award-contending dramas, the breadth of the shorts offering reinforces Manchester’s role as both a showcase and a launchpad for new filmmakers.
How to Get Tickets for Manchester Film Festival 2026
With ten days of screenings, events and filmmaker conversations ahead, the 2026 edition looks set to be the most expansive and confident festival yet.
Manchester Film Festival runs until 29 March, with tickets and full programme details available at manchesterfilmfestival.com.
Featured image: Felix Mooneeram, Unsplash
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