Manchester’s LGBTQ+ Film Festival is back later this year, and it’s set to be bigger and better than its summer debut.
SCENE, the LGBTQ+ film festival, is making its grand return to Manchester and is taking over some of the city centre’s most notable and popular locations.
Anyone attending can expect lots of fun – including screenings, panels, celebrations, parties, and above all, more pride than ever before.
Last year saw lots of familiar queer stars from TV and showbiz hosting events in iconic venues across Manchester city centre.
New Century Hall held a Queer As Folk screening, Q&A, and afterparty with original cast members such as Antony Cotton, alongside Owain Wyn Evans and Russell T Davies, while Davina DeCampo made an appearance at Fairfield Social Club to host a cabaret night named ‘Dragged to the Movies’, inspired by this queer film-centric festival.
ADVERTISEMENT
SCENE Festival is returning to Manchester later this year / Credit: Publicity Pictures (via Supplied)
First Street Manchester got involved too, with a ‘Camp Cult Classics’ movie-marathon, screening films such as The Wiz, Grease 2, and Xanadu.
Even after its inaugural year, this LGBTQ+ film festival has rooted itself into Manchester’s cultural calendar, becoming a must-see event for the city… and this year’s edition will be no different.
ADVERTISEMENT
Usual venues such as HOME, Aviva Studios,Gay Village, and of course the First Street Outdoor cinema, will all be making a fabulous return for the festival’s second year celebrations.
This year, the festival is also partnering with The Queer Filmmakers Network for a short film submission programme titled ‘Out of MCR: SCENE Queer Shorts Showcase’, where creatives can make a short film connected to Greater Manchester that can be broadcast throughout the event, if selected by the panel.
Alongside this, a curated selection of submitted films will be screened during SCENE Festival, and audiences have the opportunity to vote their favourite – with the winner announced on 20 August.
ADVERTISEMENT
Gary Williams, Head of Events at CityCo, who are the producers of SCENE Festival, commented: “We were blown away by the response to the first SCENE Festival – the audiences, the energy, and the love for queer storytelling in all its forms.
“We’re thrilled to bring it back for 2025 as part of Manchester’s iconic Pride celebrations”.
Isobel Stainsbury, Senior Engagement Manager at Manchester Pride, added: “As we continue to grow and evolve, we welcome more events that spotlight the diversity of our communities while fundraising for Manchester Pride to ensure we can continue to celebrate, promote the rights, equality and visibility of LGBTQ+ people in Greater Manchester.”
SCENE, the LGBTQ+ Film Festival, is coming to Manchester city centre as part of Manchester Pride from 15 to 19 August – with a full lineup and tickets to be released HERE.
Featured Images – Publicity Pictures (via Supplied)
What's On
Chester Zoo’s popular FREE Nature Fest returns this weekend with its biggest event yet
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.
“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
What's On
Greater Manchester’s spooky steam trains are returning this Halloween
Emily Sergeant
Spooky season is right around the corner, and one of Greater Manchester’s most-popular Halloween events is returning.
What’s Halloween without East Lancashire Railway‘s (ELR) eerie ghost trains at this point? Generally selling out each year, the heritage railway’s Halloween Trains always prove to be top of the Halloween bucket list for people looking for some ‘spooktacular fun’ once the scariest time of year rolls around.
And 2026 is expected to be no different… in fact, it’ll be even creepier than normal, because the scream train has had a spooky makeover.
You can expect flickering lights, eerie sounds, creepy surprises, and perhaps a very unwelcome visitor climbing aboard.
Those brave enough at lending the Monster Squad a helping hand at banishing ghosts and ghouls will be whisked away on a haunted steam engine through the atmospheric Greater Manchester countryside.
Before you join them though, you’ll need to prove you have what it takes by making it through the Halloween Walkthrough on the footbridge with a fair few jump scares.
Once you reach the platform, you’ll be greeted by Halloween favourites, Vampire Brian and Veronica the Witch, who’ll prepare you for your terrifying train trip with a song, a dance, and probably a scream or two.
Spooky steam train rides through Greater Manchester are returning this Halloween / Credit: ELR
As you take in the autumn sights and delights of the local countryside out the historic steam train’s windows on your journey, there’ll be lots of spooky entertainment and music along the way, and as always, screaming and singalongs are to be expected – and encouraged – as this is all part of the experience.
Families are also encouraged to ‘show off your spookiest fancy dress’ on the day too, and if you make it to the end, then a goody bag for every child ‘full of tricks and treats’ awaits.
Thomas Melia -
22nd May 2025 
