Featured image: Manchester Film Festival

Manchester Film Festival is nearly upon us, bringing with it a wave of eclectic cinema even the most insatiable cinephile may struggle to handle.

The annual 11-day festival is taking place from the 19-29th March, unfolding across the city in a variety of local venues including the Odeon, Aviva Studios and HOME.

An exciting new addition at MFF this year is its partnership with the Breakthrough Film Fund, which is offering a £5,000 production prize for a short film, alongside invaluable support from industry professionals.

Speaking on the realities facing early-career filmmakers, co-founder Li Baldwin explains how the festival aims to support those struggling to secure funding for new projects: “[We] will be bringing our industry connections and experience as Executive Producers to help filmmakers break through into the industry.”

Nominees will pitch their projects live at the festival and before being deliberated on by a panel of judges. Baldwin adds: “The fund is open for recent graduates, current Masters level students, or any other filmmakers.

Championing emerging talent has always been on the Festival’s agenda. Each year, MFF presents a dedicated block of six student shorts, featuring both UK and international work, offering the next generation of filmmakers a chance to showcase their work at a BAFTA-qualifying festival.

MFF also shines a spotlight on local talent through its ‘North West Shorts’ programme, which celebrates the best filmmaking from the region. Last year’s award went to Stockport-based director Ian Curtis for his short film, Hide.

This year’s MFF features 52 films, including nine UK debuts and eight world premieres.

“We are incredibly proud to present the programme for the 12th edition of Manchester Film Festival, which marks our biggest and most ambitious year to date,” says Neil Jeram-Croft, founder and director of MFF.

The programme spans both short and feature-length films from the UK and abroad, with insightful Q&As following many screenings for audiences eager to dig a little deeper.

Highlights include a documentary exploring the story of the oldest man to ever cross the Atlantic (The Oldham Man and the Sea, directed by Colin Offland and Marc Ingham), Charlie XCX in her first lead role in ‘Erupcja’, directed by Pete Ohs, and a short film centred on an Elvis impersonator (A King Comes To Town, directed by Joseff Morgan).

To give a sense of the festival’s scale, audiences can also expect work featuring some familiar names:

• Adam Driver and Cate Blanchett (Father Mother Sister Brother, directed by Jim Jarmusch)
• Charli XCX (Erupcja, directed by Pete Ohs)
• George MacKay and Callum Turner (Rose of Nevada, directed by Mark Jenkin)
• Josh O’Connor (Rebuilding, directed by Max Walker-Silverman)
• Willem Dafoe (The Souffleur, directed by Gastón Solnicki)
• Angelina Jolie (Couture, directed by Alice Winocour)

Sifting through the stardom you’ll discover a range of fascinating documentaries, animated shorts and features – including perhaps the most “northern” highlight of all: Kit Harington’s directorial debut, Psychopomp.

All screenings will take place across five cinema venues spread throughout the city.

 

 

 

 

 

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For tickets for the upcoming movie magic at Manchester Film Festival, visit manchesterfilmfestival.app.

The Breakthrough Film Fund is open to recent graduates, current Master’s-level students, and independent filmmakers, but is not open to those currently enrolled in a full-time undergraduate degree. Applications close on 27 February.