Welcome to your ultimate guide for the unmissable event’s offerings this time around
BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGE BY CARL SUKONIK
Attention all queer cinephiles and festival lovers! The hotly anticipated SCENE festival is coming back to Manchester from Friday 15 to Thursday 21 August. It’s the ultimate celebration of all things queer storytelling onscreen.
The festival has now released its full programme, and there is so much LGBTQIA+ goodness to look forward to. We’ve taken a gander at what’s on offer this time around and we’ve compiled this list of what we think will most excite our readers.
Starting strong, on Friday 15 August, DIVAs will not want to miss out on the festival’s opening film Lesbian Space Princess. Yes, the animated film is just as wonderful as the title suggests. Taking place at 6:30pm at HOME, this watch is guaranteed to start off your SCENE experience with a bang.
After falling in love with the film, you can enjoy some ab-building laughter at 8:30pm by heading over to Aviva Studios for Channel 4 Presents: An Altogether Different Comedy Night.
Saturday offers up even more delights for attendees. Want to get into the spooky spirit ahead of this year’s Halloween? Be sure to check out the GASP! x SCENE Queer Horror All Dayer, which is taking place from 12pm until midnight at CULTPLEX.
Attention musical theatre fans! This year’s festival is also hosting a Wicked (Sing-a-long) at First Street Outdoor Screen at 5pm. We’re holding space for this event.
And Sunday boasts an abundance of queer AF treats. We think DIVAs will particularly love the screening of Cheryl Dunye’s much-loved film The Watermelon Woman at 3:30pm at HOME.
You also don’t want to miss out on the screening of the new documentary Bulletproof: A Lesbian’s Guide To Surviving The Plot followed by a lesbian themed TV quiz. Pssst… it’s hosted by DIVA’s very own staff writer Ella Gauci. Be sure to show up at 7:30pm at New Century Hall.
On Monday 18 August there’s so much on offer for cinephiles who love the format of short film. At 12pm head over to New Century Hall for Out of MCR: SCENE Queer Shorts Showcase.
And at the same venue at 5pm attendees can also get to experience Iris Prize: Night Life Shorts.
On Tuesday, you’ll have plenty of screenings to choose from. From Mean Girls and Queens of Drama to Departures. And excitedly, there will also be a screening of the first episode of What It Feels Like For A Girl followed by a panel discussion with the cast.
Want to be a part of queerstory? Be sure to attend PROTEST! – Documenting Dissent – ON THE SCENE which is taking place at Fairfield Social Club. This event is unlike anything else on this year’s programme. Attendees will experience a one-off immersive queer party that is also a working film set. You’ll be transported to a 1988 gay bar and your joy, defiance and dance moves will be captured in the background (or maybe even the foreground) of an upcoming brand-new short film about Section 28. Want to take part? Arrive at the venue between 7 and 7:30pm so that you can be fitted into decade-appropriate attire. Filming will start at 8pm and the event will go on until 10pm.
At 8pm the festival will celebrate 10 Years of Cucumber which includes a discussion with Russell T Davies and the cast of the staple queer show.
And before attendees head home, the last day of this year’s SCENE includes many treats. Be sure to check out the Party Screening of Bottoms at 7:30 at CULTPLEX.
Pssst… if you’re 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. Perks include Up to 30% off your stay, fabulous drag breakfasts and brunches, limited-edition Pride cocktails, freebies and surprises. More details can be found at scenefestival.com/scene-and-stay.
To find out what else attendees have to look forward to and to buy your tickets, go to scenefestival.com. Tickets start at just £2.50, with many events free of charge. Profits from ticket sales, along with booking fees from ticketing partner Skiddle, will be donated to Manchester Pride Charity.
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