A new documentary about football ultras and the world surrounding the sport’s most avid and sometimes controversial fans is coming to a cinema right here in Manchester.
I mean, obviously – it’s the spiritual home of football, after all.
Seriously though, whether you bit or not, Greater Manchester has, is and always will be a region obsessed with the beautiful game, so what better place to screen such a film?
Covering the often crazy and all-consuming nature of ultra culture, the aptly-titled feature-length doc will be shown here in the city centre next month as part of this year’s Manchester Film Festival.
It was previewed last year, but is now set for theatrical release.
ULTRAS is the work of Swedish filmmaker Ragnhild Ekner, who has travelled all over the world in search of understanding these super passionate footy fans.
ADVERTISEMENT
Herself a die-hard IFK Göteborg supporter, Ekner looks at it not just artistically but as one of their own; she’s another football-obsessive like so many of us all around the globe, making her an ideal person to get across the lifestyle.
Covering matchgoers and punters from the likes of Argentina and Indonesia to Morocco, Italy and more, she covers a total of eight different countries across four continents.
ADVERTISEMENT
The director and her producers have put things plain and simple for those curious: “This isn’t a critical review, it’s a tribute.”
As mentioned, it also happens to form part of the wider Manchester Film Festival 2026, which is kicking off this week and ends on 29 March.
You can find out what else is on the MFF programme this month down below.
ADVERTISEMENT
Just some of the faces on show at this year's @mcrfilmfestival. 🎞️
So, if you’re a football fan, a cinephile, or just fancy going along to learn more, ULTRAS will be showing at the Odeon cinema inside Great Northern Warehouse exclusively on Sunday, 22 March from 5:30pm.
It’s also happening on the same day as the Carabao Cup Final between Man City and Newcastle, so if you’re a Red or just not a blue, it’s a very viable bit of alternative football-based entertainment.
Now, speaking of wider football culture, another fervently followed aspect of the people’s game is fashion, especially on the vintage side of things…
Corey Blackett-Taylor ruled out injured for the rest of the season
Danny Jones
Bolton Wanderers winger Corey Blackett-Taylor has been ruled out for the rest of the season following injury.
With not that long left in this year’s campaign and the playoff scrap set to ramp up even further in the coming weeks, it’s an unfortunate twist of fate for the Trotters.
Despite still being only a relatively recent signing, having just joined Bolton in the most recent January transfer window, it didn’t take long for him to make a good impression.
Scoring on debut in a 1-0 away win against AFC Wimbledon, the 28-year-old is now set to miss the remainder of the 2025/26 term, letting supporters know the news on Friday, 27 March.
Blackett-Taylor was forced off in the game against Rotherham United after pulling up in the wake of taking a shot, ultimately being subbed in the first half.
It was quickly confirmed to be a thigh injury, and while the specific nature and severity of the damage haven’t been fully detailed, he has now informed fans that his season is over.
Writing on Instagram, he said: “Instantly from arriving at the club, I felt the passion and support from the fans, club, staff and players.
“I have no doubts [about] the club achieving their targets of promotion – I want to say a huge thank you for making me feel so welcomed and comfortable. Unfortunately, my season is concluded due to my injury, but I’ll be here supporting the team to the very end.”
He isn’t the only impactful League One player at a side eyeing up the Championship to have been hampered by setbacks on the physio bench, with rivals Stockport County also confirming an absence at this crucial point in the campaign.
Not ideal for either of the Greater Manchester hopefuls.
Once again, while the recovery period for both of these players has already begun, the exact timelines for their return remain to be seen.
That being said, chances are we’ll see the Derby County loanee back in action before Hills, though we’ll have to wait to find out whether it will be at the Toughsheet Stadium or back with his parent club.
Who do you think is going to clinch that third promotion place at Wembley come this May?
The Oldham Man and The Sea: the documentary about the Latics owner’s record-breaking Atlantic voyage
Danny Jones
It doesn’t matter if you’re not an Athletic fan or native to the borough; we think everyone should go along to watch the much-anticipated documentary about football club owner Frank Rothwell and his record-breaking journey across the Atlantic Ocean: The Oldham Man And The Sea.
One of the simplest and most satisfying names for a film we’ve heard in a long time.
For anyone who doesn’t know about the Oldham Athletic FC chairman turned OBE’s incredible story, Frank Rothwell has set multiple records with his impressive sea-faring feats in recent times.
This new doc, which just premiered at this year’s Manchester Film Festival, charts his latest trip across one of the biggest bodies of water on the planet in March 2024.
As you can see from the recent trailer, it’s almost as arduous a tale as the original Hemingway story.
This movie – produced by Journeyman Pictures and Chief Productions – made its full debut at the Odeon in Great Northern Warehouse for MFF 2026, and is set to have a number of other screenings in and around Greater Manchester in the coming weeks and months.
One of those is happening rather soon, in fact, over at Saddleworth’s Millgate Arts Centre on Saturday, 28 March, which is ideal for those local to the region; grab your tickets now.
ln fact, there’s also one happening even closer to his hometown the following month, with Oldham’s very own Queen Elizabeth Hall also hosting a special screening of Rothwell’s incredible achievement.
You can reserve your seats for that one right HERE.
Having not only become the eldest (70) Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge finisher back in 2021, but now holding the Guinness World Record for the oldest person to ever complete the crossing while rowing solo at 73 years old, he’s become nothing short of a local hero – and that’s just his stewardship of the Latics…
The film does, obviously, touch on his time at the helm of the League Two side, who finally returned to the EFL last June, but the heart and soul of this inspiring watch is the sail itself.
More importantly, it also documents not just the gruelling nature of the 64-day, seven-hour and 53-minute trek, but also how Frank has now helped raise more than £1.4 million on behalf of Alzheimer’s Research UK.
What an absolute icon.
Hopefully, this should be just about all the reason you need to watch The Oldham Man And The Sea the very next opportunity you get to do so – and, of course, all proceeds from ticket sales will also be going to charity, because just the kind of bloke he is.
And here’s hoping we get a streaming version sometime soon.
Danny Jones -
20th March 2026 
