SCENE Festival

Tom Grieve, Cinema Editor
Queer as Folk - SCENE - City Co

SCENE Festival at HOME Manchester, Manchester YES, Manchester Aviva Studios, Manchester and other venues... 16 — 22 August 2024 Tickets from £5 — Book now

SCENE is a brand new LGBTQ+ film and television festival coming to Manchester this August. The weeklong festival is hosted at venues across the city, including HOME, Aviva Studios, People’s History Museum, New Century and the Gay Village, and promises a diverse array of screenings, special guests, parties and panels as it celebrates queer stories on screen, with a local twist.

With everything from outrageous cult films to radical documentaries, tender drama and raucous comedy, SCENE is designed to extend the spirit of Manchester Pride Festival, and showcase the variety and magic of LGBTQ+ film and TV.

Opening night is reserved to commemorate the 25th anniversary of influential drama Queer as Folk with a celebration featuring a panel and after-party. The series spotlighted Manchester’s Canal Street, and there will be appearances from writer Russell T Davies, executive producer Nicola Shindler, and actress Denise Black, amongst others, who will discuss the series and its relationship to the city.

Opening night is reserved to commemorate the 25th anniversary of influential drama Queer as Folk with a celebration featuring a panel and after-party.

Audiences can also look forward to a Q&A screening of BBC hit drama, Lost Boys & Fairies, made by Leeds-based production company Duck Soup Films, writer Daf James and star of the series Sion Daniel Young. Other guests include Emmy Award nominee and longtime activist David Weissman, who will discuss his seminal documentaries about 70s San Francisco, and filmmaker Erica Rose who will be in attendance for a Q&A following The Lesbian Bar Project: FLINTA, at Vanilla, Manchester’s “last lesbian bar”.

Festival partner HOME delivers a curated season dedicated to iconic filmmaker John Waters with screenings of cult movies Pink Flamingos and Female Trouble accompanied by a Saturday night party dubbed “The Filthiest Carnival Alive” which will see raucous drag queens, circus performers, DJs, and side stalls inspired by the films of “The Pope of Trash”.

We Were Here Castro Street – David Weismann – SCENE

While at People’s History Museum there’s a chance to see Striking With Pride: United at the Coalface — a new documentary exploring the unlikely alliance forged between the gay men and lesbians of London, and the striking miners of South Wales, between the 1984 and 1985 London Prides.

Head of Events at CityCo (producers of SCENE Festival), Gary Williams says, “SCENE promises a week of solidarity, diversity, and enjoyment. LGBTQIA+ representation on screen allows us to share our stories, break down barriers, and grow our community.”

To help make the festival accessible for everybody, all events are priced at £15 or under with many being £5 or free including a free outdoor screen on FirstStreet. Ticket profits will be donated to Manchester Pride Charity and ticket partner Skiddle will also donate the booking fee for any events booked through their site.

SCENE Festival at HOME Manchester, Manchester YES, Manchester Aviva Studios, Manchester and other venues... 16 — 22 August 2024 Tickets from £5 Book now

Accessibility

  • British Sign Language
  • Captioned

What's on at HOME Manchester

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TheatreManchester
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Where to go near SCENE Festival

Bailey's
Blackpool
Restaurant
Bailey’s Cheese & Charcuterie

Serving exceptional meats, cheeses and wines from all over the world, Bailey’s Cheese & Charcuterie offers a laid-back, sophisticated experience you’ll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in Blackpool.

The Buccaneer
Blackpool
Restaurant
The Buccaneer

Set in Coral Island, The Buccaneer isn’t just family-friendly, it’s above above-and-beyond family-friendly, thanks to the very generous kids eat free offer.

Coral Island Sign
Blackpool
Coral Island

When you think of Blackpool, Coral Island is the type of place that takes front and centre: big, bold and flat-out fun.

Bar and pub 2
Liverpool
Restaurant
Hobo Kiosk

Hobo Kiosk is an independent pub in the heart of the Baltic Triangle, celebrating all things bohemian with its décor, drinks and events.

Doric Hotel Blackpool
Blackpool
Hotel
Doric Hotel

Previously ranked TripAdvisor’s number 1 family hotel in the UK, Blackpool’s bright and airy Doric Hotel offers breathtaking views of the Irish Sea.

Cliffs Hotel
Blackpool
Hotel
Cliffs Hotel

A hit with families seeking the all-inclusive treatment, this Baroque-style hotel on the north shore is one of Blackpool’s oldest and most popular.

King's Boutique Hotel
Blackpool
Hotel
King’s Boutique Hotel

Set in a Victorian townhouse, Blackpool’s King’s Boutique Hotel is within walking distance of Blackpool’s main attractions, but not so close that you won’t get a decent night’s sleep.

Boulevard Hotel
Blackpool
Hotel
The Boulevard Hotel

With its own signature restaurant, two bars and a sleek lounge, this award-winning hotel on New South Promenade offers visitors to Blackpool luxury in spades.

The Big Blue Hotel
Blackpool
Hotel
Big Blue Hotel

At The Big Blue Hotel, guests have some of the UK’s most exciting rides right on their doorstep – and can even get free Blackpool Pleasure Beach day tickets.

The Lawton Hotel
Blackpool
Hotel
The Lawton

Thanks to its lime green-painted brick frontage, this family-friendly guest house certainly stands out from the crowd in Blackpool.

The Ruskin Hotel
Blackpool
Hotel
The Ruskin

Sitting in the shadow of the town’s famous Blackpool Tower, this established three star hotel is popular for its handy location and family-friendly pricing.

What's on: Cinema

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