Manchester Film Festival has built a reputation for championing independent cinema with ambition and edge. Returning in 2026, the festival presents a packed programme of UK premieres, international features, documentaries and shorts, all screened at venues in the city centre.

The emphasis is on bold storytelling and emerging voices, with Q&As, industry panels and filmmaker networking woven into the schedule. Manchester’s long creative history gives the festival a confident, no-nonsense tone, and audiences can expect films that provoke conversation as much as applause.

Whether you’re a filmmaker looking to connect or a viewer keen to discover new work ahead of the curve, MFF remains one of the UK’s most reliable indie-film fixtures.Details: manchesterfilmfestival.com