The 2026 programme will release shortly before the festival.
You can see last year's award-winning programme here.
(Film Festival of the Year/Manchester and North West Prestige Awards)
We'll have more films than ever, along with fresh workshops, insightful masterclasses and our established range of quality Q&As with the filmmakers.
Internationally acclaimed composer John Parr, known
for his iconic title tracks from films such as “St. Elmo’s
Fire (Man in Motion)” and “Three Men and a Baby (The
Minute I Saw You),” will share his invaluable insights
into the art of film scoring. Discover what makes a great
soundtrack, how to use music to complement your narrative,
and how to score on a budget. Don’t miss this
opportunity to learn from a legend and ask your burning
questions!
Unlock the secrets to crafting a compelling screenplay
with our esteemed panel of festival judges. Whether
you have a brilliant idea for a new film or need help refining
your story, this workshop is for you. Learn what
makes a film resonate with audiences, the industry,
and festivals. Pitch your stories and ideas to the panel
and receive constructive feedback to help you on your
writing journey. This is a unique opportunity to gain
valuable insights from industry experts!
Discover how to create award-winning short films, no
matter your budget, with multi-award-winning and
BAFTA-winning writer and director Will Jewel. With
experience working with BBC, C4, and Sky, Will will
share his secrets on how to conceive and execute impactful
films that get noticed. From locations to casting and
finding your voice, this masterclass will help you maximise
your potential and avoid common pitfalls. Don’t miss
this chance to learn from one of the best
Join award-winning actress and filmmaker Kathryn
Georghiou for an insightful workshop designed to support
actors looking to break into the film industry or
broaden their skillset. Drawing on her extensive experience
in productions like “Waking the Dead,” “Casualty,”
and “The Heritage,” Kathryn will guide you on how to
craft engaging characters and work with directors and
cameras to create impactful performances. This is a
must-attend event for aspiring actors!
Join bestselling author Phaedra Patrick for a fascinating
masterclass on adapting books for the screen. Drawing
from her experience of having three novels optioned —
including one by a major Hollywood studio and another
made into a movie — Phaedra shares insights into the
journey from page to production. Learn about the creative
and practical process of screen adaptation, and the
roles authors, agents, producers, and filmmakers play in
bringing compelling stories to life.
Learn the art of directing actors from Stephen Gallacher,
who has worked on some of the biggest productions
in film and television, including “Star Wars: The Force
Awakens,” “Fantastic Beasts,” and “McDonald &
Dodds.” Whether you’re an experienced director or just
starting out, this workshop will help you understand the
director-actor relationship and how to craft compelling
scenes and performances through the cinematic lens.
Don’t miss this
AI Website Generator
Follow Us Today