Manchester Film Festival is proud to be a BIFA qualifying festival.
Manchester Film Festival is a truly independent film festival, one that champions cinema from around the globe and doesn’t put barriers on the films it screens. The organisation is proud of its honest and transparent roots and is committed to screening the best stories from around the world, right in the heart of one of the UK’s most vibrant cities.
As MANIFF grows we are continuing to engage not only with filmmakers but other prestigious festivals around the world. Our head of programming Al Bailey was the head of the documentary jury at the 2019 Slamdance Film Festival and will continue to build strong relationships with world renowned film organisations.
All films will be screened in a cinema with full surround sound and crystal-clear visuals and all attending filmmakers are invited to take part in post-screening Q&A’s, red carpet interviews and nightly after parties. Meeting and networking with other film creatives and industry professionals in a relaxed atmosphere is a key aspect of the festival but so is connecting with audiences and film enthusiasts.
MANIFF has developed a reputation amongst the independent film community as an exciting place to showcase their work, an event that brings filmmakers together for a weeklong celebration of independent cinema.
The sixth edition of MANIFF took place at the Odeon Cinema, Great Northern Warehouse from the 7-15th March 2020 and screened over 170 films across the week. 2020 was the second year in a row that the festival ran for over a week, testament the growth and development of the event over the previous years.
With industry representation from Altitude, Curzon and One Bright Dot, the festival continued to develop its ties with key industry professionals and the 2021 event will see this grow even further.
Alongside the films MANIFF2020 hosted a selection of industry panels at Manchester’s newest cultural hub, Cultureplex, these panels were designed to offer advice to independent filmmakers about a range of subjects and included: From Dream to Funding, Screenwriting, Creating Original Content with Brand Partners, Sales and Marketing for Independent Film and Planning for Post. MANIFF2021 will once again deliver panels that filmmakers will find insightful and useful to their careers.
MANIFF2021 will again be a weeklong and see industry panels, nightly after parties, daily film screenings in a multiplex cinema, red carpet interviews, Q&A’s and overall good times.
MANIFF understands the current situation is scary and uncertain but we hope that by March 2021 some normalcy will have resumed and we plan on putting on an event that everyone involved will remember - one that is a real celebration of cinema and filmmakers.
Here at ‘MANIFF’ we are looking to the future and in these uncertain times we are going to rely on the digital age more than ever in the world of independent film. As well as our physical festival we will give filmmakers the chance of screening their films LIVE to a worldwide database of film fans and professionals. A showcase that will not only facilitate filmmakers’ appearances who can’t travel to the event but also a broader audience to enjoy and critique the premiering work. ‘MANIFF’ LIVE digital screening premieres will be a vital part of sustaining not only the film festival industry but bring the international community together to celebrate and support the world of independent cinema and the filmmakers that share their brilliant work year on year.
MANIFF2021 will be open for submissions for films completed from January 1st 2018.
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
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.