The Manchester Film Festival returns for its 11th year. A cultural highlight in the North West, the festival gives public audiences the chance to see the some of the best new and independent films before they hit the cinemas.
Guests can walk the red carpet alongside filmmakers and talent for 10 days of screenings, Q&As and loads of other specially curated events. For the first time ever, the festival will also host screenings at HOME and Factory International’s Aviva Studios, as well as the main hub at the Odeon Great Northern.
The opening gala film is Steve Coogan’s latest The Penguin Lessons, directed by Peter Cattaneo and written by regular Coogan collaborator Jeff Pope. Based on the memoir of the same name by Tom Michell, the film follows a British teacher’s personal and political awakening after he adopts a penguin during a cataclysmic period in Argentine history.
The festival also features the Manchester premiere of the UK’s Oscar selection Santosh (directed by Sandhya Suri), Sundance and Cannes hit Good One (directed by India Donaldson) and South by Southwest Audience Award winner My Dead Friend Zoe (directed by Kyle Hausmann-Stokes).
Another stand-out screening will be Breaking Barriers, a feature documentary telling the incredible story of Paula Dunn MBE. Directed by Kane Dunn, the film chronicles the journey of Paula, the first female head coach of UK Athletics. The movie takes a personal approach, reflecting on Paula’s extraordinary career through the eyes of her son.
