The twelfth edition of the Manchester Film Festival took place 19-29 March at high profile cultural city centre venues, with the annual awards ceremony taking place on Saturday 28 March that celebrated some of the finest emerging talent in the world of cinema.
LIFEHACK, directed by Ronan Corrigan, took home the prestigious Golden Bee, while LITTERMATES, directed by Scott Tinkham and Michael Woloson, earned the Special Jury Prize. MISPER, directed by Harry Sherriff, won Best UK Feature, and SOPHIA, directed by Dhafer L’Abidine, claimed Best Director. Best Actress went to Nell Weik-Clark for MUTT CAT, with Best Actor awarded to Thomas Turgoose for SYNTHESIZED. The full list of winners is below. Members of the jury included Tom Percival (Dexerto), Emily Murray (Total Film/ BBC Radio 5 Live), Alistair Ryder (Zavvi), Matt Butler-Hart (Filmmaker and Festival Alumni) and Clarisse Loughton (Independent).
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.
This year saw a record-breaking milestone in audience attendance, surpassing 10,000 ticket sales for the first time – a 40% increase from 2025 with pass sales doubling year-on-year. The festival kicked off with a sensational Opening Night Presentation event at Aviva Studios (Home of Factory International), where Kit Harington’s directorial debut PSYCHOPOMP received its World Premiere and captivated a packed crowd of 1,000 guests. The screening marked the start of a week filled with cinematic excellence, and the energy in the venue set the tone for a memorable festival.
In addition to Kit Harington 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), Faye McKeever (TIME, TROLLIED), Laura Aikman (GAVIN AND STACEY, THE CITY IS OURS) and Lloyd Eyre-Morgan (BANK OF DAVE, LITTLE GAY BOY, DEPARTURES).
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 stellar films, the festival boasted a strong industry programme, with a series of inspiring 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). These sessions provided invaluable insights for aspiring filmmakers and industry professionals alike. The appetite for the industry programme was reflected in a 30% rise in accreditations from 2025 – a 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 the continued growth and expanding reach of the festival. 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.
All information available at the official website – manchesterfilmfestival.com.
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