Manchester’s popular LGBTQ+ Film Festival returns this summer – and you can choose what’s screened

  1. Home
  2. Art & Culture

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.

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.

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.

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.”

Read more:

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.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images – Publicity Pictures (via Supplied)