SCENE Festival Unveils Full 2025 Programme

25th Jul 2025

SCENE 2025 imagery and launch video can be downloaded HERE

SCENE 2025 press launch photos can be viewed HERE

Tickets & Full Line-up: www.scenefestival.com

Instagram: @scene_festival

Facebook: @SCENEFestival

SCENE, Manchester’s LGBTQ+ Film and TV Festival, today announces its full 2025 programme, completing an already bold and vibrant line-up with an exciting series of new additions, including Channel 4 Presents: An Altogether Different Comedy Night and a special screening and panel celebrating hit BBC drama What It Feels Like for a Girl

The line-up also features a heartfelt preview of Departures, the debut feature from Manchester-based filmmakers Neil Ely and Lloyd Eyre-Morgan, and a riotous celebration of comedy legend Victoria Wood in The Victoria Wood-A-Thon hosted by Make A Scene.

Taking place city-wide from Friday 15 to Thursday 21 August, SCENE returns following its breakout debut last year, offering a dynamic week of queer storytelling through film, television, music, and live performance, as part of Manchester Pride 2025.

Final Highlights Include:

Channel 4 Presents: An Altogether Different Comedy Night
Friday 15 August | Aviva Studios
This isn’t your usual stand-up night – this is Channel 4 doing what it does best: shaking things up and shining a light on the boldest, brightest new voices in comedy. An Altogether Different Comedy Night brings you stand-up that’s sharp, original, and guaranteed to keep you guessing. No stale sets, no safe bets – just comics who aren’t afraid to push it, test it, and get the room roaring. Think quick-fire gags, fearless new material, a crowd that’s up for anything – and maybe a few surprises thrown in when you least expect them.

What It Feels Like for a Girl: Screening + In Conversation
Tuesday 19 August | New Century Hall
Join the cast of What It Feels Like for a Girl for an exclusive panel, as well as a special screening of the first episode of the riotous new drama. The hour-long panel will see the principal cast Hannah Jones, Laquarn Lewis, Alex Thomas-Smith, Adam Ali and Ellis Howard share some insights from and anecdotes about this exciting new show, based on Paris Lees’s acclaimed eponymous memoir. 

Departures
Tuesday 19 August | VUE, Printworks
Join us for a special preview screening of Departures ahead of its national cinema release next year –  the first feature produced by Punk Spirit Films (a collective of working-class LGBT+ filmmakers based in Manchester) by Manchester-based filmmakers Neil Ely and Lloyd Eyre-Morgan, premiered at BFI Flare. Following the screening, stay for a conversation with the filmmakers to take a deeper dive into the world of Departures. 

The Victoria Wood-A-Thon
Monday 18 August | New Century Hall
A night celebrating Victoria Wood the legendary comedy writer and performer whose work has been taken to the bosom of the queer community.  Join Manchester’s camp and queer film and TV club Make A Scene for an evening jam packed with laughs, drag queens with wrinkly tights, musical tributes, special guests, dressing up and more episodes of Victoria Wood shows than you can shake a garibaldi at! With thanks to BFI TV Archives.

Previously Announced Highlights:

  • 10 Years of Cucumber + In Conversation with Russell T Davies
  • Opening Night Film: Lesbian Space Princess
  • Jonathan Harvey in Conversation + Beautiful Thing
  • Party Monster + WOW Presents Plus Retrospective with Fenton Bailey & Randy Barbato
  • Waterloo Road: Everyone Welcome
  • *Manchester Camerata: LGBTQ+ Composers in Concert + Monk in Pieces
  • Bulletproof: A Lesbian’s Guide to Surviving the Plot + Lesbian TV Quiz
  • SCENE New Narrative: International LGBTQ+ Fiction Showcase
  • Best of Sheffield DocFest
  • Showgirls 30th Anniversary Screening + Drag Takeover
  • Free Outdoor Screenings on First Street – from The Wizard of Oz to Mean Girls and Wicked sing-alongs.
  • Short programme including Out of MCR: SCENE Shorts showcase and selections by Iris Prize and GAZE

SCENE 2025 continues to champion creative collaboration with partners including Manchester Pride, CULTPLEX and GASP!, and will also feature strands such as Queer As Jokes and NightLives – celebrating queer comedy and clubbing culture.

Tickets start at just £2.50, with many events free of charge.

All profits from ticket sales and booking fees via partner Skiddle will go to Manchester Pride Charity.

For those travelling to Manchester for the festival, SCENE & STAY packages offer exclusive hotel deals, drag brunches, limited-edition cocktails, and more.

Press Enquiries: scene@premiercomms.com