Art & Culture

The full lineup and extensive programme for Manchester Film Festival 2026 has been revealed

It's set to be the biggest one yet.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 29th January 2026

The full lineup for this year’s Manchester Film Festival (MFF) is now out, with some well-known names and hotly anticipated projects set to be screened this year.

MMF 2026 looks to be one of the most extensive and exciting projects yet; spread across multiple venues once again, we can’t wait for the city go full-on cinephile.

With 52 feature films on the roster, including nine UK debuts and eight fully-fledged world premieres, this is going to be well and truly blockbuster – pun intended.

Yeah, Cannes, Venice and Toronto are cool, but having one right on your doorstep is way better.

Returning this coming March and spread over the course of 11 days, the latest edition of Manchester Film Festival is the biggest the city centre has seen to date.

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Featuring everything from locally made short films from Greater Manchester and the wider North West, to bigger but still ‘small’ budget independent movies, there’s something for everyone.

Obviously, indie flicks are the lifeblood of this event, but there’s still plenty of A-listers connected to MFF26. For instance…

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Actors featured this year:

  • Adam Driver, Charlotte Rampling, Vicky Krieps and Cate Blanchett (Father Mother Sister Brother)
  • Angelina Jolie (Couture)
  • Callum Turner and George Mackay (Rose of Nevada)
  • Charli XCX (Erupcja)
  • Jason Isaacs (Honey Bunch)
  • Josh O’Connor (Rebuilding)
  • Kit Connor (One of Us)
  • Mads Mikkelsen (The Last Viking)
  • Tom Hardy (Rhino)

It remains to be seen how many of these famous faces will be in attendance, but the annual film fest always manages to secure a few.

For instance, with Kit Harrington (Game of Thrones) bringing his directorial debut, Psychopomp, we’re keeping our fingers crossed that we’ll see Jon Snow in the flesh.

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As you can see, the 2026 edition is being hosted across five different central and varied locations, including big screen cinemas like Odeon, as well as HOME on First Street and even the home of Factory International, Aviva Studios.

Speaking ahead of the start date, festival director Neil Jeram-Croft said: “We are incredibly proud to present the programme for the 12th edition of Manchester Film Festival, which marks our biggest and most ambitious year to date.

“This year’s line-up brings together an exceptional range of films and filmmakers, with screenings taking place across more venues than ever before, reflecting both the growth of the festival and the appetite for
independent cinema in the city.

“We are especially looking forward to welcoming filmmakers from across the UK and internationally, as well as welcoming back our brilliant volunteers, whose support is vital to bringing the festival to life.

“We can’t wait to welcome audiences this March for ten days of powerful storytelling, standout premieres and inspiring conversations.”

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Once again, the BAFTA and BIFA qualifying festival and its accompanying awards ceremony will take place between 19 and 29 March 2026; early bird passes have already sold out, but you can grab your general admission tickets right HERE.

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Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via Manchester Film Festival)

Art & Culture

Horror film festival Grimmfest announces fear-filled return to Manchester next month

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Spooky season is just around the corner, and now a popular horror film has announced its return to Manchester next month.

Grimmfest, also known as Manchester’s International Festival of Fantastic Film, has confirmed its 2026 return dates, and has also announced its the full lineup – with four fear-filled days planned, showcasing the best in brand-new horror genre cinema.

You can expect some ferocious feature films, a savage selection of shorts, hair-raising horror classics back on the big screen, and more premieres than ever before.

Returning to Odeon Great Northern early next month, Grimmfest audiences will have an exclusive opportunity to see many of the films on the lineup long before their formal release – with both world, UK, and international premieres on the cards.

Some of the programme’s highlights this year include the UK premiere of Zachary Wigon’s darkly comedic period piece, Victorian Pyscho, shot in Ireland and starring big-name stars Maika Monroe, Jason Isaacs, Thomasin McKenzie, and Ruth Wilson.

Ángel Gómez Hernández’s Crawlers will also make its UK debut at the festival, and horror fans are also said to be eagerly awaiting Jason Lei Howden’s Deathgasm 2: Goremageddon – which is the highly anticipated follow-up to the beloved cult metal comedy-horror, Deathgasm.

There will also be an array of incredible short films screened throughout the festival, all in a huge range of styles, themes, and twisted sensibilities, proving that when it comes to Grimmfest, good things often come in small packages.

People in the cinema
Grimmfest has announced its fear-filled return to Manchester next month / Credit: Grimmfest | Krists Luhaers (via Unsplash)

It’s not just new releases you can expect either, as some absolute horror classics are also set to return to the big screen for their anniversaries.

Respected guests from all around the world are set to descend on Manchester for the festival, and that include the film makers and actors from many of the selected films.

And of course there will be plenty of film introductions, Q&As, and signings for fans.

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Grimmfest 2026 returns to Oden Great Northern from from 8 – 11 October, and you can see the full lineup and get tickets here.

Featured Image – Grimmfest (Supplied)

Art & Culture

Chester Zoo’s popular FREE Nature Fest returns this weekend with its biggest event yet

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A free festival helping people connect to nature is returning for its 10th anniversary, and organisers say it will be their biggest event yet.

Nature Fest is returning to Chester Zoo this weekend, and is set to explore the relationship between nature and wellbeing, with lots of new activities designed to help festivalgoers experience the benefits of connecting with the natural world

Around 4,000 people, and lots of families, are expected to attend across the weekend.

Visitors can take part in animal yoga sessions, relax in a zen den, and explore an interactive nature adventure based around the five pathways to nature connection, traveling along tunnels and through a tree along the way.

There will also be live music, puppetry, crafts, workshops and talks, alongside opportunities to discover how conservationists work to protect wildlife.  

Chester Zoo’s popular Nature Fest returns this weekend with its biggest event yet / Credit: Chester Zoo

On top of that, the festival will feature stands from various nature organisations and community groups across the North West, talks and tips from nature professionals, and wildlife-friendly gardening sessions with the zoo’s schools team.

Chester Zoo has also teamed up with Outside Lives Ltd on the festival, giving visitors the chance to take part in other activities like crazy golf, den building, and willow weaving.

“We’re hoping our 10th Nature Fest will be the biggest yet,” commented Chris Ablett, who is the Community Volunteer Assistant Manager at Chester Zoo.

“Chester Zoo is well known for supporting conservation across the world but protecting nature here in the UK is just as important.

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“We want people to know there are simple things they can do to help wildlife at home, and Nature Fest is a great way to link up with people and learn new skills you can put into practice in your community, all while enjoying a great day out.”

Chester Zoo’s Nature Fest returns for 2026 this weekend on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September. It’s free to attend, parking is also free, and no booking is required.

Featured Image – Chester Zoo

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