SCENE Festival Unveils 2026 Programme: Russell T Davies Returns with Tip Toe and It’s A Sin, as Rivals, Heartstopper, I Kissed A Girl, and Pedro Almodóvar’s Bitter Christmas.
Now in its third year, SCENE returns with its most star-studded programme yet.
SCENE: Manchester’s LGBTQIA+ Film and TV Festival today unveils its programme for 2026, bringing together some of the biggest names in television, film and queer culture for eight days of screenings, panels, comedy, parties and premieres across Manchester from 20th – 27th August.
The third edition of the festival, funded by Manchester Accommodation BID, returns as an official Manchester Village Pride Fringe partner with its most ambitious programme to date, including:
- Exclusive appearances from Russell T Davies and Nicola Shindler celebrating the year’s most talked-about new drama, Tip Toe, and revisiting the landmark series It’s A Sin marking the series’ 5th anniversary ahead of the forthcoming Rambert and Factory International stage adaptation premieres at Aviva Studios in Manchester
- An exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Disney+’s Rivals with cast members Gary Lamont and Hubert Burton alongside executive producer Alexander Lamb
- An intimate in-conversation with Heartstopper creator Alice Oseman, reflecting on the profound impact the books and series have had on the LGBTQIA+ community worldwide
- A celebration of BBC’s groundbreaking series I Kissed A Boy and I Kissed A Girl hosted by Charley Marlowe, joined by a line-up of iconic stars from across both series
- Channel 4’s An Altogether Different Comedy Night returns with bold voices, unique perspectives and a line-up packed with talent
- Preview screenings of Pedro Almodóvar’s Bitter Christmas, Jane Schoenbrun’s Cannes Queer Palm-winning Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, Gregg Araki’s I Want Your Sex, Neil Ely and Lloyd Eyre-Morgan’s Closing Night film Chatlines – plus a special screening of Adam Shankman’s wildly anticipated drag comedy Stop! That! Train!
- Documentaries programmed across the week celebrating Patrick Wolf, Barbara Hammer and NOFX, plus the announcement of Iris Prize Best British Short nominees, SCENE’s own Northern shorts programme and guest programmers TITE, Aks, GASP!, Queer Filmmakers Network and IAP:MCR
- Plus dozens more screenings, panels, parties, exhibitions and free events taking place across the city throughout the festival week, including an exciting Opening Event at Aviva Studios, to be announced soon!
On this year’s stellar line-up, Gary James Williams, Head of Events at CityCo (producers of SCENE and delivery partners of Manchester Accommodation BID), says: “We’re thrilled that SCENE is back for a third edition, and after doubling our audience last year, the festival is going from strength to strength with thousands of fans from all over the UK and across the world coming to Manchester for the ultimate celebration of queer screen culture.
We’ve always wanted SCENE to be a festival where audiences can discover their next favourite film alongside celebrating the stories they already know and love. This year’s programme is our biggest and most ambitious yet – from Almodóvar to Ab Fab, Barbara Hammer to I Kissed A Girl, old classics, new stories, shorts, docs, live comedy, dance shows, parties and exhibitions there’s something for everyone.
Whether you’re coming just for the festival or extending your visit to Manchester ahead of our city’s Pride celebrations, we’re welcoming artists, filmmakers, writers, producers, programmers and importantly amazing audiences with open arms and buckets of popcorn”
FULL PROGRAMME IS AVAILABLE TO VIEW HERE
TV Highlights
The best of TV, loved by the gays, theys and allies! Join SCENE as we celebrate the hottest new shows of the past year and revisit the queer fan favourites we can’t stop talking about, bringing audiences closer to the creators and stars behind them. Featuring special screenings, exclusive panel discussions and behind-the-scenes access, this year’s TV strand spans Tip Toe, It’s A Sin, Heartstopper, Rivals, I Kissed A Boy and I Kissed A Girl.
Film Highlights
From Almodóvar to Araki, Schoenbrun to the makers of RuPaul’s Drag Race, SCENE celebrates the full spectrum of queer cinema, showcasing acclaimed new films, beloved classics, groundbreaking documentaries and standout shorts. This year’s line-up includes Pedro Almodóvar’s Bitter Christmas, Jane Schoenbrun’s Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, Gregg Araki’s I Want Your Sex, John Early’s feature debut Maddie’s Secret, RuPaul-led drag extravaganza Stop! That! Train!, and the return of Manchester filmmakers Neil Ely and Lloyd Eyre-Morgan with Chatlines. The film strand also features a 10 Year anniversary screening of Oscar winning Moonlight and a special screening of Theo and Hugo: Paris 05:59, presented by festival partner SCRUFF. SCENE’s New Narratives strand also returns, showcasing bold new LGBTQIA+ voices from around the world. Screen Manchester is a key festival partner, sponsoring this year’s Closing Night Films and SCENE Shorts.
Comedy, Culture & Live Events
Beyond the screen, SCENE takes over the city with comedy, live performance and unforgettable events. Channel 4’s An Altogether Different Comedy Night returns alongside celebrations of Absolutely Fabulous, a tribute night to comedy icon Caroline Aherne, and the 25th anniversary of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Audiences can also enjoy a St Trinian’s party screening, the fan-favourite free outdoor cinema at First Street, Dragged to the Movies – a free outdoor photography exhibition at KAMPUS – and a packed programme of drag, music, live podcasts and interactive events throughout the festival week.
Documentary, Shorts & New Voices
The finest in queer non-fiction storytelling – documentaries, short films and international showcases shine a spotlight on extraordinary real-life stories and the next generation of queer filmmakers. The new SCENE Docs strand includes documentaries celebrating Patrick Wolf, pioneering filmmaker Barbara Hammer, punk legends NOFX and the story behind William Friedkin’s Cruising, while SCENE Queer Northern Shorts programme returns alongside exclusive announcement of Iris Prize Best British Short nominees. International partnerships with Aks International Minorities Festival and Ireland’s TRANS IMAGE / TRANS EXPERIENCE Festival bring bold new films, conversations and perspectives to Manchester, championing emerging LGBTQIA+ storytellers from across the UK and around the world.
SCENE is proud to work with an incredible network of programming partners whose expertise, creativity and collaboration help shape the festival each year. The 2026 programme has been developed in partnership with HOME, Aviva Studios, home of Factory International, TITE (Trans Image, Trans Experience) Festival, Aks International Minorities Festival, Queer Filmmakers Network, Screen Manchester and SCRUFF, alongside venue partners New Century Hall, Treehouse Hotel and Campfield.
Tickets start at just £5.00, with many events free of charge. Profits from ticket sales, along with booking fees from our ticketing partner Skiddle, will be donated to Manchester Village Pride LGBTQ+ Charities.
For festival attendees looking to make an extended visit to Manchester, there are many hotels hosting Pride parties and celebrations, drag brunches, freebies and surprises throughout the city for the week-long celebration. Plan your visit to Manchester this August: scenefestival.com/pride-in-manchester
SCENE Festival is funded and delivered on behalf of Manchester Accommodation BID, a collective of city hotels and accommodation providers.
Tickets & line-up: www.scenefestival.com
Follow SCENE on social media:
Instagram: @SCENE_Festival
Facebook: SCENE Festival
For press enquiries, images or interview requests, please contact:
Premier Comms | scene@premiercomms.com
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EDITORS NOTES
ABOUT SCENE
SCENE: Manchester’s LGBTQ+ Film and TV Festival has been created and funded by Manchester Accommodation BID – led by the city’s hotels and accommodation providers.
The festival celebrates the very best in new and classic LGBT+ cinema and television, bringing together incredible talent from across the industry. The event showcases a dynamic mix of premieres, exclusive previews, much-loved classics, Q&As, panels and parties.
Launched in 2024, line-ups have featured interactive screenings and vibrant panels including the casts of BBC’s What It Feels Like for a Girl and Lost Boys and Fairies, Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, the duo behind RuPaul’s Drag Race, the iconic Coronation Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh, famed TV writer Jonathan Harvey, host of Talk Art podcast Robert Diament, iconic film-makers John Waters and David Weissman – and Russell T Davies, screenwriter and creator of some of the most iconic LGBTQ+ stories in TV history. The festival has also staged a Channel 4 live comedy night and performances by Manchester Camerata.
As the home of MediaCity, Queer as Folk, and innovative series like the lesbian witch drama Domino Day, Manchester is the perfect setting for a festival that honours queer film, TV and new media.
The week-long 2026 festival will run from Thursday 20th – Thursday 27th August. The festival offers a combination of ticketed and free events, with a portion of profits donated to Manchester Village Pride’s chosen local charities.
SCENE is produced and delivered by CityCo, The City Centre Management Company on behalf of the Accommodation BID.
More info about the SCENE programme: scenefestival.com
More info about the Manchester Accommodation BID: manchesterabid.com
MANCHESTER ACCOMMODATION BID
The Manchester Accommodation BID is a ground-breaking initiative led by the city’s hotel and serviced apartment providers to help create new events and additional activities that will attract more people to visit and stay in Manchester and Salford.
At its core, the Manchester Accommodation BID aims to deliver better visitor experiences and additional activity to drive more staying visitors. It allows Manchester to better compete in a global market and grow overnight visits at a time when an unprecedented level of supply is set to join Greater Manchester’s accommodation market.
Manchester Accommodation BID activities are funded by the City Visitor Charge; a supplementary £1 Charge per room/unit per night for guests, added to final accommodation bills. The Charge is collected from all paid accommodation establishments that fall into the Manchester ABID zone.
Funds are used to: amplify marketing campaigns that drive overnight stays; help secure large-scale events, conferences, and festivals in low-season months; improve guest welcome and street cleanliness; and provide opportunities to futureproof the city’s growing accommodation sector and wider visitor economy.
CityCo, The City Centre Management Company, is a delivery partner of Manchester Accommodation BID alongside Marketing Manchester. CityCo is delivering on the ‘Public Events’ and ‘City Welcome’ work streams.
ABOUT MANCHESTER VILLAGE PRIDE
Manchester Village Pride CIC (MVP) has been established by LGBTQ+ Village businesses and community stakeholders to ensure that a safe, credible, inclusive and celebratory Pride event takes place in Manchester in 2026.
Following the collapse of the previous Manchester Pride organisation, there was a real risk that core Pride traditions — including the Parade, the Village Party and the Vigil — could be lost. In response, the Village community, supported by city partners, stepped forward to protect Pride’s future and bring it home.
The organisation is working with and supported by key city partners, including Manchester City Council, Marketing Manchester, CityCo, and Equity, alongside LGBTQ+ organisations, charities and community stakeholders.
Manchester Village Pride CIC (MVP) has been established by LGBTQ+ Village businesses and community stakeholders. It is led by a board of directors who are entirely unpaid volunteers, giving their time, skills, and experience freely. This matters because it shows that MVP is driven by commitment, not personal gain. Every director is making a significant personal contribution to ensure Pride returns to its roots — as a Pride built by the community, for the community.
Being unpaid allows more of every pound raised to be directed back where it belongs: supporting LGBTQ+ charities, grassroots organisations, and vital community services. It reinforces MVP’s core purpose – to give as much as possible back to the community that Pride exists to serve.
In an ever-changing world, the need for Pride is more important than ever. By buying a wristband or day pass, Pride-goers are not just gaining access to an event – they are helping to protect, sustain, and celebrate our community for generations to come.
MVP Dates: Friday 28th – Monday 31st August 2026
Location: Manchester Gay Village
Tickets & Info: manchestervillagepride.org
