Feature image: Press
The Manchester Film Festival has wrapped its 12th edition, running over 11 days and showcasing a strong line-up of local and international talent from across the independent film industry.
Festival director Neil Jeram-Croft reflected on this year’s programme, filled with a mix of features, shorts and documentaries spanning the cities’ cinema hotspots: “This has been our most successful edition yet and one we’re incredibly proud of. Surpassing 10,000 ticket sales for the first time.”
He added that the figures also point to wider momentum within the sector, particularly across the North: “The growth in our industry programme and the 30% rise in accreditations is further proof that Manchester is becoming a genuine destination for both film professionals and audiences alike.”
This year once again saw a strong showing of Northern talent, with a number of homegrown projects gaining recognition. Misper, a feature written and directed Harry Sheriff and Laurence Tratalos, took home Best UK Feature, while North West filmmaker Dan Sloan won Best Director for his short film Good Behaviour. The Oldham Man and the Sea – a documentary following 73-year-old Frank Rothwell OBE as he rows across the Atlantic – also proved a standout, winning Best Feature Documentary.
The award ceremony took place on the penultimate day of the festival at the Odeon Great Northern. Filmmakers, producers, cast and other cogs in the film-making machine piled into the event, filling the space with anticipation and a sense of community as peers shared support and discussed their work.
Awards were presented by members of the festival team and participating filmmakers, with Neil Jeram-Croft opening and closing the ceremony.
Below is the full list of winners for the 2026 edition.
Feature Film Award Winners:
Short Film Award Winners:
Featured image: American Football – American Football album artwork The debut album has long been treated as a baptism of fire for artists – the deciding factor that determines whether a band will ‘make it’ or not. Some debuts set the tone for what follows: Arctic Monkeys’ Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m…
Featured image and gallery: Lucy Elson-Whittaker Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra come to the Palace Theatre in Manchester to celebrate the release of their new album, Night Blooms. Liverpool-based Brooke Combe opens the evening with a stripped-back set alongside her guitarist, her soulful vocals instantly captivating the crowd. Blending heartfelt performances with quick-witted…
Featured image and gallery: Sally Stretch Three decades after they first emerged in Manchester, Take That return home to the Etihad Stadium and deliver an unforgettable show, combining circus theatrics and crowd-pleasing hits from across their catalogue. Formed in 1990, the group have released multiple chart-topping albums and embarked on numerous world tours, including 2009’s…
Featured image and gallery: Sub Khan It’s no surprise that Rainbow Kitten Surprise have made a name for themselves in recent years, their genre-merging approach and deeply introspective lyrics piquing the curiosity of thousands. Formed in 2013, the band have long surpassed their humble roots of playing their dorm rooms in North Carolina. From establishing…
Leave a reply