Robots, World War Two baby smugglers, murder trials, and purgatorial train stations – these are just some of the stories premiering at Manchester Film Festival this March.
Independent filmmakers from the north-west, UK and the world will see their work showcased at the festival’s first online event from Thursday 11th – Sunday 14th.
The festival will present 130 films across features, documentary, shorts, animations, and music videos, and also includes a special North-West selection, highlighting the best new filmmakers in the region.
North-West films include Manchester Pride Parade: The Movie, a historical documentary about Manchester’s annual pride event, and the award-winning Bulldog,an experimental thriller about homelessness, among others.
Viewers can watch from home by purchasing a £19.95 weekend pass, or £3.50 for an individual screening.
Organisers are also hosting filmmaker Q&As at the end of several screenings.
The festival is replacing its usual venue at Deansgate’s Odeon Great Northern with streaming platform, Filmocracy, which it hopes will attract a global audience.
It said: “This is a unique and challenging time for cinema and film culture, but Manchester Film festival is dedicated to showcasing the best independent cinema from around the world and the festival is excited to share these films with audiences.”
Manchester Film Festival said the variety of films at this year’s event aims to help filmmakers with much-needed exposure following the pandemic.
It said: “MANIFF2021 will represent a great opportunity to see these films first and help continue to support independent filmmakers in these industry damaging times.”
Viewers can purchase tickets to Manchester Film Festival here.
