Manchester Film Festival

The ONLY film festival in the world to be nominated alongside Glastonbury, Altitude, Latitude, V, Download, Creamfields, Wireless, Isle of Wight, Reading and Leeds, at the UK FESTIVAL AWARDS 2017 and 2018.

Manchester Film Festival is a truly independent film festival, committed and dedicated to sharing great stories from both new and established international and domestic filmmakers from the world of independent cinema. The organisation is proud of its honest and transparent roots and will continue with the original ethos of selecting films from open submissions.

The 5th edition of the the Manchester Film Festival took place at the Odeon, Great Northern from the 2nd-10th March 2019.

Over 150 films in a line-up made up of narrative and documentary features, narrative and documentary shorts, experimental films, music videos, animations and VR screened in cinema at the Odeon in Manchester’s historic Great Northern Warehouse.

For the first time the festival took place over a week, testament to the events growth over its short history and the strength of films submitted. After five years the festival has developed a reputation among the independent filmmaking community as a warm, welcoming festival with a personal touch and party vibes.

MANIFF2019 saw the festival continue its policy of not branding and stranding its official selection, allowing films to stand side by side, free from genre barriers. For the first time the festival hosted repertory screenings with a selection of films that celebrate 5 editions of MANIFF featuring prestigious alumni of past festivals.

Head of Programming Al Bailey says, “this year’s line-up was the perfect example of what we set out to achieve five years ago – a showcase of the most eclectic independent films from around the world and the strength of the selection shows the reputation that the festival has and continues to gain.

Along with the films and post-screening Q&A’s MANIFF2019 hosted filmmaker studios, in which those involved with the making of this year’s selection discussed their work in-depth in front of an audience. These took place at the famous Manchester Studios (Old Granada Studios), further cementing the festivals connection to Manchester’s rich creative and cultural history.

MANIFF2020 will once again be a week long taking place 1st-9th March with all films being screened in a cinema, with filmmaker studios, post-screening Q&A's and much more happening over the week.

Submit now to “the next Sundance” – ‘I LOVE Manchester’ and be a part of one of the most vibrant film festivals in the world.

For screenplay submissions please go to https://filmfreeway.com/festival/MANIFFScreenplays

"A very well organized and intelligently curated festival. Screenings were well attended, staff and interviewers were highly professional, and, in addition to a host of very interesting filmmakers, there appeared to be a great deal of community engagement, sponsors, volunteers, and audiences. One of the most vibrant festivals I have attended, with many events and opportunities for filmmakers to interact. Highly recommended." Herbert Golder, Director of Ballad of a Righteous Merchant

"MANIFF screens in an Odeon cinema on huge screens with wonderful audiences. The nightly parties are beyond fun which makes networking a breeze." Michele Noble, Director of Reclamation: The Rise at Standing Rock

"This is a top-notch festival with high-quality films being programmed. Great communication from the festival. Very well organized events that made for easy and relaxed networking with fellow filmmakers and participants." Leah Patterson, Director of Bridget and Iain

"Simply and truly, this was the best festival I've attended in any capacity. The city, staff, vendors, students volunteers, fellow filmmakers, and everyone else I came across have made a lasting impression on my life." Sean Hartofilis, Director of Covadonga.

"Wow. What an unbelievably fun time it was at 2018 MANIFF. I watched great films, had inspiring conversations, got to ask questions to every guest, and felt the nonstop good, fun energy. The location, drinks, and food were on point too." Matthew Castellanos, Director of Yoshua.

“The Manchester Film Festival is an extraordinary experience — a gathering of filmmakers and fans with the pure intention of celebrating the creativity of film.” Bronwen Hughes, Director, The Journey is the Destination

"Really, I expect this festival be the next Slamdance, so it was a real honor to be selected!" Ryan Michael, Director, Josephine Doe

"MANIFF Rocks!" Stef Dawson, Actress, Creedmoria

"Undoubtedly the best festival I’ve been to – and I’ve been to a lot over the last year. Some festivals get it spectacularly wrong with the screenings, the programming, the general atmosphere etc whereas you got everything spot on." Paul Hendy, Director, The Last Laugh

“Thanks to the Manchester film festival for giving a voice to something that would not really be seen anywhere else.” James Raue, Director, Psychoanalysis

"This really was the best festival experience I've ever had!" Erin Derham, Director of 'Buskin' Blues'

"I had an absolute ball at MANIFF 2016!" Rachel Viollet, Director, Dennis Viollet - A United Man

“The most fun festival we’ve ever been to. And we’ve been to a lot!” Cornelia Moore, Director, West of Redemption

“Thanks to the Manchester Film Festival for taking a chance on our film, just to have us here and for us to be involved. We’ve had such a good time meeting all the other filmmakers and getting to watch and be inspired by their films.” Jonny Moore, Director, Made in Taiwan

"Tele-port me back to ManIFF, anytime! An amazing time with great memories and great friends made along the way" - Mary -Lyn Chambers, Director Debris

“I feel like this is going to be a bigger and important festival, as the years go on, an amazing early life to a festival with massive international potential.” Larry Estes, Producer, West of Redemption

"The most communicative and informative film festivals I have ever had the pleasure of attending" - Nicholas Gray, Director, The Paper Store

"The festival and all its staff are just as passionate about film as the filmmakers themselves, absolutely fantastic!" Nicholas Moss, Director, Break