After a dazzling debut in 2024, SCENE: Manchester’s LGBTQ+ Film and TV Festival is back and gearing up for an even bigger celebration of queer screen culture this summer. Mark your calendars: the 2025 edition of SCENE will take place from Friday 15th August to Thursday 21st August 2025, bringing a packed week of screenings, panels, parties, and powerful storytelling to venues across the city during Manchester’s iconic Pride festival.

Following the overwhelming success of its inaugural year – which featured tributes to queer trailblazers, sold-out screenings, and appearances from iconic names in LGBTQ+ culture – SCENE has firmly cemented its place in Manchester’s cultural calendar. This year, the festival returns with more premieres, more parties, and more pride than ever before, with an exciting line-up to follow soon.

“I loved discovering SCENE last year – packed with artists and creators, all celebrating LGBTQ+ stories on screen. And all of this in the middle of Manchester, an absolute powerhouse of art, TV and film, setting the standard for other cities to follow. It’s beautifully tied into Manchester Pride, and I’m sure this year will be bigger and better than ever.” RUSSELL T DAVIES – Writer

Gary Williams, Head of Events at CityCo (producers of SCENE Festival), says:

“We were blown away by the response to the first SCENE Festival – the audiences, the energy, and the love for queer storytelling in all its forms. It’s clear that this festival has struck a chord, and we’re thrilled to bring it back for 2025, even bigger and bolder. As part of Manchester’s iconic Pride celebrations, SCENE is a space to celebrate who we are, the stories that shape us, and the incredible talent across LGBTQ+ film and TV. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back this summer.”

Isobel Stainsbury, Senior Engagement Manager at Manchester Pride, adds:

“We are delighted to see the return of SCENE and to partner with the event again for 2025. SCENE has become a great addition to the Manchester Pride celebrations. As we continue to grow and evolve, we welcome more events that spotlight the diversity of our communities while fundraising for Manchester Pride to ensure we can continue to celebrate, promote the rights, equality and visibility of LGBTQ+ people in Greater Manchester.”

SCENE 2025 will continue to shine a light on both rising and established queer talent from across the globe, while celebrating Manchester’s own rich legacy in LGBTQIA+ film and television. From major venues like Aviva Studios and HOME to vibrant community spaces including First Street Outdoor Cinema and the Gay Village, the city will once again transform into a showcase for queer creativity and connection. This year, HOME, Factory International and CULTPLEX also return as festival partners, co-programming exciting events throughout the week.

The festival remains an official partner of Manchester Pride and is produced by Manchester Accommodation BID. Ticket profits – including booking fees from ticketing partner Skiddle – will be donated to the Manchester Pride Charity, supporting LGBTQ+ communities and projects across the city. As before, accessibility and inclusivity are at the heart of the event, with many tickets available for £5 and some events offered for free. For festival attendees looking to make an extended visit, a range of exclusive hotel offers, rewards, and packages will be available from participating city centre hotels throughout the duration of the festival.

Last year’s highlights included a Queer as Folk reunion with Russell T Davies, exclusive screenings including BBC’s Lost Boys & Fairies, as well as tributes to LGBTQ+ icons like Arthur Russell and John Waters, to an unforgettable drag cabaret hosted by the fabulous Divina DeCampo.  SCENE 2025 promises to build on this momentum with a lineup that will continue to uplift, inspire, and entertain.

This year, SCENE is excited to partner with The Queer Filmmakers Network to launch “Out of MCR: SCENE Queer Shorts Showcase,” a short film submission programme celebrating the richness and diversity of storytelling connected to Greater Manchester. Submissions are open to fiction, documentary, animation, and experimental shorts (up to 15 minutes) with a strong connection to Greater Manchester. The submissions period will be live from Thursday 8th May at 11am until Sunday 6th July 2025 at 23:59pm (BST) – https://www.scenefestival.com/sceneshortssubmission

A curated selection of submitted films will be screened during SCENE Festival (15–19 August 2025), with audiences voting for their favourites. The winner will be announced at the festival’s award presentation on 20th August.

Stay tuned for programming announcements in the coming months. Sign up for further updates and ticket announcements at www.scenefestival.com.

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