Manchester Film Festival 2026 – Opening Night at Aviva Studios

Manchester Film Festival returns with another lively celebration of independent and boundary-pushing cinema, and its opening night at Aviva Studios feels like a perfect taste for what’s to come. The city’s biggest film event, starting on Thursday 19 March, brings you closer to the action on the very first day with a double bill of standout storytelling, complete with Q&As.

The evening begins with Psychopomp, the directorial debut from actor Kit Harrington, best known for his breakout role in Game of Thrones. This sharp, darkly comic short is set in Northern England and follows the main character Harry Melling. The story begins with Harry having decided to take his own life by way of hired assassin, Liam. 

The men wonder whether they might have made a grave error in  judgement – but is it too late?

The film follows this unlikely pair on a road trip to what Harry has decided will be his ultimate resting place. What begins as a grim pact turns into an unexpected friendship, balancing humour with existential reflection as the men wonder whether they might have made a grave error in  judgement – but is it too late? After the screening, Kit Harrington himself will be taking part in a Q&A, offering rare insights into his first steps behind the camera. 

The evening’s feature film is The Good Boy, a taut and unsettling feature film from director Jan Komasa, staring Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough. Graham is best known for his roles and contributions in award-winning Netflix series Adolescence and the ‘one-shot’ film Boiling Point.

One night Tommy finds himself abducted and chained in a suburban basement.

This thriller throws its 19-year-old protagonist Tommy, succumbed to a life of drugs, parties and violence, through a consequential whirlwind. One night Tommy finds himself abducted and chained in a suburban basement by a mysterious couple intent on reforming him through relentless psychological games. Chris and his family are hell bent on forcing Tommy to comply with their every demand or seek escape at any cost. 

Running through to 29 March across Manchester, this year’s festival programme brings an impressive display of work from around the world, with premieres, UK debuts and a mix of features and shorts that showcase the ambition and creativity of contemporary filmmaking. Don’t miss out on your chance to speak to the creators themselves.