SCENE: Manchester LGBTQ+ Film and TV Festival

Tom Grieve, Cinema Editor

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SCENE: Manchester LGBTQ+ Film and TV Festival

15-21 August 2025

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

SCENE: Manchester’s LGBTQ+ Film and TV Festival
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We were thrilled with the debut edition of SCENE last year. The city-wide LGBTQ+ Film and TV Festival had a storming inaugural edition featuring screenings, performances, parties and plenty of opportunities to hear directly from talent, both on screen and off. From brand new documentaries celebrating queer trailblazers, to a dedicated John Waters retrospective and a focus on Manchester-based hit Queer as Folk, the varied programme was a real high point in 2024’s cultural calendar.

So it’s great to hear that SCENE is back with plans for an even bigger celebration of queer screen culture scheduled this summer. Scheduled to run from Friday 15 – Thursday 21 August, the week-long festival has promised more screenings, panels, parties, and powerful storytelling to venues across the city during Manchester’s iconic Pride festival. We will have more coverage as events are announced, but for now mark your calendars for what is fast becoming one of our annual highlights.

Where to go near SCENE: Manchester LGBTQ+ Film and TV Festival

Stables Tavern
City Centre
Restaurant
Stables Tavern

The Stables Tavern is an olde style pub in the St John’s neighbourhood of Manchester, where the Rovers Return once stood.

Manchester
Restaurant
Ban Di Bul

Ban Di Bul is a longstanding Korean restaurant in the very centre of Manchester.

Bridge Cottage
Port Sunlight
Gallery
Bridge Cottage

Bridge Cottage is one of Port Sunlight’s most charming and architecturally distinctive Arts & Crafts homes. Often hold art Exhibitions and Tours.

A projected image of the Stockroom.
Stockport
Library
Stockroom

Stockroom is Stockport’s new centre for culture and creativity, with a library, a children’s play area and a whole host of exciting events.

Inside main hall Birch Community Centre, showing high hammer-beam ceiling.
Manchester
Theatre
Birch Community Centre

Housed in a striking neo-Gothic former parish hall, Birch Community Centre is a hidden gem on Brighton Grove, just opposite Platt Fields Park. Its vaulted wooden ceiling and arched windows…

A series of microphones hang from the ceiling with a muted warm light in the background.
Rochdale
Event venue
RISE Inavate Centre

RISE Inavate Centre will be used for a thought-provoking sound installation by Shilpa Gupta at Manchester International Festival 2025.

Interior Decorations - Viet Deli
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Viet Deli

Viet Deli is a small venue, not the kind of place for a sit down meal. Serving only bánh mì, traditionally street food in Vietnam.

Levenshulme
Restaurant
My Nawaab

Eye-catching banqueting hall in Levenshulme, with a wide-ranging buffet showcasing freshly-prepared Indian and Pakistani cuisine.

SB_BreweryTour - Taproom One
Manchester
Brewery
Seven Bro7hers Brewery & Taproom

Discover the heart of Salford’s craft beer revolution at the Seven Bro7hers Brewery & Taproom—a spirited, family-run brewery where the brewing kettles gleam and the atmosphere buzzes with energy.

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