The twelfth Manchester Film Festival ended last night celebrating its most successful edition to date, having surpassed 10,000 ticket sales for the first time – a 40% increase from 2025 with pass sales doubling year-on-year.
The annual awards ceremony took place the previous evening (Saturday 28 March), with Lifehack, directed by Ronan Corrigan, picking up the prestigious Golden Bee, while Littermates, directed by Scott Tinkham and Michael Woloson, earned the Special Jury Prize.
The festival presented a rich and dynamic programme, showcasing 52 feature films, including 9 UK premieres and 8 world premieres. All films in the programme screened in Manchester for the first time. The festival kicked off with an opening night presentation event at Aviva Studios (Home of Factory International), where Kit Harington’s directorial debut Psychopomp received its World Premiere in front of 1,000 guests.
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In addition to Harington’s attendance for the opening night special presentation, a number of filmmakers, actors and special guests attended the festival, including Thomas Turgoose (Synthesized), Samuel Bottomley and Séamus McLean Ross (California Schemin’), Harry Sherriff (Misper), John Henshaw (Night Cap) and Faye McKeever (Time, Trollied).
Neil Jeram-Croft, Manchester Film Festival director, said: “This has been our most successful edition yet and one we’re incredibly proud of. Surpassing 10,000 ticket sales for the first time, opening with Kit Harington’s world premiere and celebrating so many brilliant films and filmmakers has been a real highlight. 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.”
In addition to the films, the festival hosted a strong industry programme, with talks and panel discussions from some of the film industry’s most influential voices. Highlights included Becca Lloyd (Film Editor, Herself), Kirsty Bell (founder and CEO, Goldfinch), Joe Jeffries (acquisitions manager, HanWay Films), Stefanie Fahrion (head of distribution and sales, Film4), Sharon Small (Actor, About a Boy), Colin O’Toole (BAFTA-winning Director, cowboy dave) and Baldwin Li (Oscar and BAFTA nominated Producer).
The appetite for the industry programme was reflected in a 30% rise in accreditations from 2025 – further testament to the festival’s growing reputation as a must-attend destination for film professionals across the UK.
Marking the festival’s biggest year to date, screenings took place across more venues than ever before, including HOME, Odeon Great Northern, Northern Light Cinema, Aviva Studios and Flix at the Treehouse Hotel Manchester, reflecting its continued growth and expanding reach. The festival’s lead partner was CUPRA City Garage, with further support from FILMD, Met Film School and Screen Manchester.
Full List of 2026 Winners:
- Golden Bee – Feature – Lifehack
- Golden Bee – Short – Inflicted Kindness
- Special Jury Prize – Feature – LitterMates
- Special Jury Prize – Short – Uncle Artoo
- Best UK Feature – Misper
- Best Documentary Feature – The Oldham And The Sea
- Best International Feature – Maricel
- Best UK Short – The Truth About Space
- Best International Short – Whim Rules The Child And Weather The Field
- Best North West Short – Squeaky Bum
- Best Student Film – Earth
- Best Documentary Short – Something In The Air
- Best Animation – Yugen
- Best Experimental – I Hate Jack
- Best Music Video – Blue For You
- Best Director – Feature -Dhafer L’Abidine (Sophia)
- Best Director – Short – Dan Sloan (Good Behaviour)
- Best Actor – Feature – Thomas Turgoose (Synthesized)
- Best Actor – Short – William Fox (Don’t Worry About Me)
- Best Actress – Feature – Nell Weik-Clark (Mutt Cat)
- Best Actress – Short – Caron Henthorn (Jackie is Lost)
- Best Cinematography – Feature – Aphrodite
- Best Cinematography – Short – Largo
- Met Film Rising Star – Matthew Eyre (Safe Space)
- Screenplay Competition Winner – Kathryn Robinson (Stationery)
- Audience Award – Feature – Chatlines
- Audience Award – Short – From Sidney With Love
Manchester Film Festival took place from 19th- 29th March HOME, Odeon Great Northern, Northern Light Cinema, Aviva Studios and Flix at the Treehouse Hotel Manchester.
