"Fantastic festival to be a part of! The industry talks were really interesting and informative, and the social aspect of the festival was great, lots of great networking opportunities. We definitely hope to be a part of the festival again the future." - Double Yellow Productions

Manchester Film Festival is proud to be a BIFA qualifying festival and one of the Top 10 Best Reviewed Festivals on FilmFreeway.

MANIFF is a nine-day celebration of film, with all films screened in a cinema with full surround sound and crystal-clear visuals.

All attending filmmakers are invited to take part in post-screening Q&A’s, red carpet interviews and nightly after parties.

All in-competition films will come from open submissions submitted through FilmFreeway and the festival will end with the annual awards ceremony, with winners chosen by previous MANIFF alumni and MANIFF’s programming team.

Filmmakers will have plenty of opportunity to network with other film creatives at a festival that is known as a relaxed, filmmaker friendly event in a city that can offer an experience to attendees beyond the festival itself.

Attending filmmakers can come along to our Industry Days, where the festival hosts in-depth panel discussions that provide insight and perspective on a range of film related topics. Previous panels have included BFI Funding, Independent Distribution, Acquisitions and more.

Filmmakers can expect industry representation from the likes of BFI, Curzon, Altitude and DC Releasing. Previous MANIFF films have gone on to have full theatrical releases and many can be found on Netflix, Amazon, and other platforms.

MANIFF2023 will see industry panels, nightly after parties, daily film screenings in a multiplex cinema, red carpet interviews, Q&A’s and overall good times.

Manchester Film Festival is now taking submissions for 2023. MANIFF2023 will be the ninth edition of the festival and will take place 11 -19 March at the Odeon, Great Northern.

"The experience of a lifetime. From start to finish, Neil and his team put in so much effort to make you feel welcome and able to have a great time with filmmakers from all over the world. Every screening I attended was packed out, the daily afterparties were awesome, and the industry panels were very insightful." Tomas Manchester, Director

Check out all the other reviews below!

Awards & Prizes

All films in the official selection will compete for awards in the following categories with the prestigious Bee's being awarded to the winners at our annual closing night awards event.

Film of the festival
Best Feature
Best UK Short
Best Director
Best Screenplay
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Cinematography
Best Edit
Best Documentary Short
Best Documentary Feature
Best Music Video
Best Student Film
Best Score
Staff Pick
Best Animation
Un-commissioned Screenplay Competition

As well as awards we will be creating amazing prize packages with our sponsors.

Rules & Terms

MANIFF is looking for independent feature-length and short films from around the world from any genre.

Our Standard Festival Participation Agreement (Terms and Conditions), which all submitted films are also expected to follow is as follows:

GENERAL RULES AND CONDITIONS

1. Submission Format
Films must be submitted via online screener.

2. Submission Eligibility
- All submissions must have been completed after 1 January 2021.
- Manchester Film Festival requires that all films (excluding music videos) have not played to a public audience in Manchester before the festival dates.
- Works-in-progress and films with distribution are accepted.
- Films must not have received more than 50% of their funding from a studio or broadcaster.
- All films not in the English language are required to have subtitles.

3. Premiere Status
- Manchester Film Festival requires that all films (excluding music videos) have not played to a public audience in Manchester before the festival dates.
- There is no Premiere policy for music videos, they may have screened at other Festivals and/or online.

4. Film Classification
All films screened during the Manchester Film Festival receive an age rating that is decided by the Manchester City Council.

5. Submission Fee
All FilmFreeway submissions for Manchester Film Festival are to be paid by credit card or PayPal. The submission fee is non-refundable.

6. Shipping
All shipping and postage costs, if the film is selected for the Festival, for all DCPs and additional materials sent to and returned from Manchester Film Festival must be borne by the submitting party. Manchester Film Festival will not accept Cash On Delivery shipments. Manchester Film Festival will not absorb any fees incurred in British customs. All charges must be pre-paid

7. Selection of Films
Submissions are reviewed and selected under the following criteria:
- Quality of narrative and production values
- Independent nature of the production

8. Notification
Manchester Film Festival endeavours to complete all selection procedures by 10th of January 2023 and inform all submitting parties, in writing, if their film has been successful or not after that time. Successful submissions will receive a Filmmaker Festival Pack that will include important information on shipping the DCP to the Festival, press and publicity, guest accreditation, contact information and how to make the most of participating in the Festival.

9. Festival Screenings
Selected films MUST provide a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) or video file (.mov or .mp4).in order to be screened at the Manchester Film Festival. The film title MUST be clearly labelled on the hard drive.

10. Scheduling
Screenings are scheduled during the Festival at the discretion of Manchester Film Festival. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the published schedule, Manchester Film Festival reserves the right to make changes at any time for any reason. Manchester Film Festival will not be liable for any costs claimed as a result of a change in scheduling.
No film may be withdrawn from the festival programme after its selection.

COVID-19 - Due to the unprecedented and ongoing problems presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. We reserve the right to change the festival to a geo-blocked virtual online festival if it is not possible to host the event in a physical venue.

GENERAL AGREEMENT OF PARTICIPATION IN MANIFF:

By submitting to the Manchester Film Festival I confirm that I have read and accept the terms and regulations of MANIFF. I will provide the festival with any additional information required pursuant to these rules and regulations. I authorize the MANIFF to exhibit my film, and if selected, I confirm that an exhibition copy will be available in a required format for screening during the 2023 festival (March 11 - 19th 2023). I certify that I hold all necessary rights for the submission of this film/video to the MANIFF and that all rights and clearances have been made. This film is not subject to any litigation nor is threatened by any litigation. I hold MANIFF harmless from damage to, or loss of any or all materials en route to, from or otherwise at the festival. I assume all legal responsibilities therein. By Agreeing to these terms, I transfer to MANIFF the right to use excerpts of the submitted film, its stills, and trailers, for the purposes of publicity and marketing of the film at the 2023 festival, and for other non-commercial uses related to the promotion of the 2023 festival. I hereby agree to indemnify MANIFF, in the event that such rights have not been properly transferred.
188 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Theodore Simmons

    As a first time festival I can't imagine attending a better one! I had personal- professional connections to Manchester and the region which made it extra meaningful - but beyond those the festival itself felt like a much needed peak behind the curtain of the industry. The screening and events programme was invigorating and networking atmosphere was one of creative celebration rather than competition. The organisers really know what filmmakers enjoy and need from festivals. Highly recommend...

    June 2022
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  • Christine Vartoughian

    Attending Manchester Film Festival was the highlight of my year. I was blown away by how organized, exciting, and affectionate the fest crew was. I saw so many films by talented filmmakers that were in attendance and had fascinating Q and A's. As a filmmaker, the workshops and panels were inspriing and I can't say enough how worthwhile it is to submit and and attend this festival. I can't wait to go back if I am so lucky. Manchester has my heart.

    June 2022
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  • Rebecca-Clare Evans

    Manchester International Film festival is just magnificent. The communication was second to none, the hospitality was on point and we made some great connections. Thank you so much to the team we were really proud our film could screen at such a prestigious festival and now we also qualify to enter BIFA. We encourage any filmmaker to submit their project, you won’t be disappointed. We also wanted to add we also received support after the festival, the team really do go up and beyond. We look forward to attending next year as audience members.

    June 2022
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  • Pili Mili Films

    The festival was really well organised with lots of chances for the filmmakers to network and talk to each other, we loved the vibe and definitely will keep coming back!

    June 2022
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  • Kirby McClure

    Thank you Neil and Team! Excellent festival. Met and chatted with great filmmakers from all over. Thank you for having me.

    June 2022
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