For the first time ever, the festival will host screenings at HOME in addition to the Odeon Great Northern.
The festival will open on March 14 2025 with a special presentation of the highly anticipated The Penguin Lessons, directed by British filmmaker Peter Cattaneo and starring Steve Coogan. This is the first public screening of the film in the UK. Based on the best-selling memoir, the film tells the poignant and inspiring story of an Englishman’s personal and political awakening during a cataclysmic period in Argentine history, brought about by his unlikely adoption of a penguin. Directed by Peter Cattaneo, the film blends humour, heart, and historical insight in a way that promises to resonate with audiences.
Alongside the Opening Night film, the festival will present a vibrant and exciting programme – showcasing 37 Feature Films, including 15 UK Premieres and 4 World Premieres. All films will be screening in Manchester for the first time. This includes the Manchester premiere of the UK’s Oscar selection Santosh (dir Sandhya Suri), Sundance and Cannes hit Good One (dir India Donaldson) and South by Southwest Audience Award Winner My Dead Friend Zoe (dir Kyle Hausmann-Stokes).
Highlights amongst the UK Premieres include Y2K, A24’s latest horror comedy starring Fred Durst and directed by Kyle Mooney, the latest film from Mother Schmuckers directors Harpo and Lenny Guit, Heads or Fails and Cazzie Davids directorial debut I Love You Forever.
The festival will continue the tradition of supporting and showcasing filmmakers based in the North West and sharing stories from the region. This includes the selection of three films made by filmmakers based in the North West, highlighting the incredible talent emerging from the region. The three films are:
- Departures (World Premiere) – Stuck in the aftermath of a toxic relationship, Benji is trapped in a spiral of addiction and fleeting hook-ups. As he stumbles through visiting the places he visited with his ex, he’s forced to confront his past.
- Kid (World Premiere) – An ambitious music producer races to finish his debut album under a make-or-break record deal, all whilst navigating a tumultuous family life.
- Treading Water (Manchester Premiere) – The story of Danny, as he is released from prison into the tough reality of supported housing.
Once again, the line-up includes a short film programme, which will include a North West Shorts strand highlighting some of the amazing talent in the Short Film art form, in films either produced or made by filmmakers based in the region.
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