Get ready to laugh, cry and sing along at some of these incredible events
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE PROVIDED BY SCENE
Clear your calendars! Manchester’s beloved LGBTQIA+ Film and TV Festival SCENE is officially coming back this year (15–20 August), and you don’t want to miss it.
Taking place across the queer capital of the North, this festival will celebrate the rich legacy of the city’s queer talent. After a resoundingly popular debut in 2024, SCENE will be offering a week of groundbreaking screenings, powerful conversations and some pretty unforgettable events as part of Manchester Pride 2025.
With so much on offer, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by all this queer excellence. Don’t worry, we’ve got you sorted. Here’s our guide to this year’s SCENE.
SCENE Outdoor Screen on First Street
Saturday 16 – Thursday 21 August | First Street
Get ready to sing along to some of your favourite films which will be showing in this special celebration. From Wicked to Mean Girls, bring your friends for the ultimate movie marathon.
Opening Night Film: Lesbian Space Princess
Friday 15 August | HOME
You had us at the word “lesbian”! This genre-bending sci-fi romance is kicking off the week in style. Written and directed by Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese, this animated comedy film is sure to have you obsessed with its titular space princess Saira.
Waterloo Road: Everyone Welcome
Sunday 17 August | New Century Hall
Beloved show Waterloo Road has been bringing us LGBTQIA+ representation ever since it started. Audiences have connected with characters like Nikki and Lorraine across the UK. This event will see Waterloo Road producer Adam Leatherland, director Lloyd Eyre-Morgan, and cast members Miya Ocego and Sonya Nisa chat about why this visibility is so vital to have on screen.
Bulletproof: A Lesbian’s Guide to Surviving the Plot + SCENE’s Lesbian TV Quiz
Sunday 17 August | New Century Hall
Think you’ve got what it takes to win a sapphic pub quiz? Head down to this special event which will be celebrating all things lesbian in film and TV. Filmmaker Regan Latimer will be presenting a deep dive into lesbian TV tropes and will discuss why we need authentic representation. This will be followed by a sapphic pub quiz – bring your friends!
10 Years of Cucumber + In Conversation with Russell T Davies & Cast
Wednesday 20 August | New Century Hall
Still bold and brilliant, this year marks a decade of Channel 4’s hit show Cucumber which delved into what life is really like being gay in the 21st century. This special event will see creator Russell T Davies – who also created Queer As Folk and It’s A Sin – team up with cast members Vincent Franklin and Cyril Nri to reflect on the show’s legacy.
Manchester Camerata presents LGBTQIA+ Composers in Concert + Monk In Pieces
Thursday 21 August | Aviva Studios
This unforgettable event will join Manchester Camerata and Aaron Akugbo for a concert of incredible music, celebrating LGBTQIA+ composers including queer trailblazer Meredith Monk. The concert will be followed by a screening of Monk In Pieces, a documentary all about Meredith’s incredible life.
Showgirls 30th Anniversary Screening + Drag Takeover
Thursday 21 August | HOME
Who doesn’t love Showgirls? The LGBTQIA+ cult classic film has captivated audiences ever since its release in 1995. Get ready to continue crushing on Gina Gershon in this 4k re-release of the film, with in-screen drag queen performances taking place throughout.
You can find out more about SCENE here: www.scenefestival.com
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