The LGBTQIA+ film and TV festival returns to Manchester this August with screenings, panels, comedy and parties...
SCENE: Manchester’s LGBTQIA+ Film and TV Festival has revealed its 2026 programme, with Russell T Davies, Heartstopper creator Alice Oseman and previews of new work from Pedro Almodóvar among the line-up.
The festival returns for its third edition from 20 to 27 August, taking place across Manchester venues including HOME and Aviva Studios.
Funded by Manchester Accommodation BID, this year’s programme will bring together screenings, panels, comedy, parties, exhibitions and premieres across the city, with tickets starting from £5 and a number of free events also included.
Russell T Davies and producer Nicola Shindler will appear as part of an event looking at the new drama Tip Toe, while also revisiting It’s A Sin to mark the series’ fifth anniversary.
The event comes ahead of the forthcoming Rambert and Factory International stage adaptation, which will premiere at Aviva Studios.
The TV strand will also include a behind-the-scenes look at Disney+ series Rivals, with cast members Gary Lamont and Hubert Burton appearing alongside executive producer Alexander Lamb.
Alice Oseman will take part in an in-conversation event reflecting on the impact of Heartstopper, while the BBC series I Kissed A Boy and I Kissed A Girl will be celebrated in an event hosted by Charley Marlowe, with guests from across both series.
Film previews across the week include Pedro Almodóvar’s Bitter Christmas, Jane Schoenbrun’s Cannes Queer Palm-winning Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, Gregg Araki’s I Want Your Sex and Adam Shankman’s drag comedy Stop! That! Train!
Manchester filmmakers Neil Ely and Lloyd Eyre-Morgan will also return with Chatlines, which has been announced as the festival’s closing night film.
The film programme also includes John Early’s feature debut Maddie’s Secret, a 10th anniversary screening of Oscar-winning Moonlight and a special screening of Theo and Hugo: Paris 05:59, presented by festival partner SCRUFF.
Documentary programming will include films celebrating Patrick Wolf, Barbara Hammer and NOFX, alongside the story behind William Friedkin’s Cruising. SCENE will also announce the Iris Prize Best British Short nominees, while its Queer Northern Shorts programme returns.
Channel 4’s An Altogether Different Comedy Night will return as part of the live programme, alongside events celebrating Absolutely Fabulous, the late Caroline Aherne and the 25th anniversary of the classic Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
There will also be a St Trinian’s party screening, a free outdoor cinema at First Street and Dragged to the Movies, a free outdoor photography exhibition at KAMPUS.
Gary James Williams, head of events at CityCo, which produces SCENE and delivers the festival with Manchester Accommodation BID, said: “We’re thrilled that SCENE is back for a third edition, and after doubling our audience last year, the festival is going from strength to strength with thousands of fans from all over the UK and across the world coming to Manchester for the ultimate celebration of queer screen culture.
“We’ve always wanted SCENE to be a festival where audiences can discover their next favourite film alongside celebrating the stories they already know and love. This year’s programme is our biggest and most ambitious yet – from Almodóvar to Ab Fab, Barbara Hammer to I Kissed A Girl, old classics, new stories, shorts, docs, live comedy, dance shows, parties and exhibitions there’s something for everyone.
“Whether you’re coming just for the festival or extending your visit to Manchester ahead of our city’s Pride celebrations, we’re welcoming artists, filmmakers, writers, producers, programmers and importantly amazing audiences with open arms and buckets of popcorn.”
Profits from ticket sales, along with booking fees from ticketing partner Skiddle, will be donated to Manchester Village Pride LGBTQ+ charities.
Tickets and the full line-up are now available.
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