Film round up: The best film events in Manchester this December

Get your dance shoes ready- HOME has curated a special musical season this Christmas with a diverse range of classic films that showcase a spectrum of emotions and themes including women in film and 1930s depression-era America. Films include 42nd Street, 1954’s A Star is Born, (singalong) Calamity Jane, Cabaret, On The Town, Bells Are Ringing and singalong classic Singin’ in the Rain. It also features some interesting events around the season for musical film fans including an introduction to A Star is Born by acclaimed academic and author Richard Dyer and also an introduction to Cabaret by Dr Andrew Moor, Reader of Film from the Manchester Metropolitan University.

Not strictly a Christmas film but definitely a favourite for the magical winter period, The Bottomless Singing Cinema present both parts of J.K Rowling’s climactic Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and offers a fun and unique experience to audiences. Included within the ticket price are bottomless drinks during the film (including gin, vodka, wine, rum and beers), bottomless popcorn and even waiter service. They have a multitude of films during the festive season in addition to the final, dramatic two-parter of the Harry Potter franchise – all guaranteed to get you feeling mystically nostalgic.

Love short films? Indie Flicks screens the first Monday of every month in Manchester with a huge variety of impressively high quality short films that feature an eclectic mix of genres, themes, tastes and languages from all over the world. During the evening you will also get to vote for your favourite film, watch a longer Director’s Choice feature short, often get to see Q&A sessions with programmed filmmaker guests and finish your night networking with the filmmaking community with a full bar (pizza available).

King Street Townhouse will be screening a variety of classic Christmas films including Santa Claus: The Movie, Elf, Home Alone 1 and 2, The Holiday, Four Christmases and The Night Before. They have a state-of-the-art screening space with comfortable armchairs and a stylish aesthetic. You can also enjoy hot drinks, popcorn and mince pies while you watch the film and if you buy a cinema ticket you can dine in the restaurant the same day with a 20% discount off food.

Specifically exhibiting the best filmmaking talent in the North West, Filmed Up offers a diverse, quarterly programme of short films. It programmes a tremendous range of genres, budgets, scales and themes, offering a glimpse into the talented local filmmaking community with a chance to vote for your favourite short film of the night, write feedback to the filmmakers and network over a pint.

If you’re looking for an evening of nail-biting adventure and inspirational stories then check out Mountains on Stage, a film festival which aims to bring the mountains to you in the comfort and safety of a cinema. It features a selection of the world’s best films that showcase extreme mountain sports such as paragliding, climbing, skiing and mountaineering.

In collaboration with the Chinese Film Forum UK, HOME hosts a three-day conference where researchers will explore and discuss women in East Asian cinema with a focus on representation. The conference will include panel discussions, presentations and an array of events including the UK premiere of The Lady Improper.

The Village Green are hosting a series of screenings full of Christmas cheer at Victoria Baths, transforming the atmospheric Victorian pool location into a festive party palace. Expect local street food traders, a bar serving themed cocktails, wines, beers and mulled wine and a DJ. Films include Home Alone, Elf, The Grinch and Love Actually.

The Everyman Cinema offers a chic, new cinema experience in Manchester city centre with an array of seating options including sophisticated two or three-seater sofas, waiter service with drinks and pizza served to your seats. They will be screening alternative Christmas classic Gremlins this December for those of you who love a dose of creepy but cute monster mayhem with their mulled wine.

If you are an admirer of film composer Thomas Newman’s work or a James Bond film fan, then the Hallé will be performing Newman’s BAFTA-winning original score to Skyfall live in sync to the film, conducted by Ben Palmer. And for fun for the whole family, Raymond Briggs’ festive classic The Snowman will also be performed live with its fantastical, haunting score.

Last but by no means least, it would hardly be Christmas without an airing of Frank Capra’s undisputed festive classic It’s A Wonderful Life. Released in 1946, Capra’s heartwarming tale stars a weary eyed James Stewart as a down-on-his luck bank manager who ponders what his life might be like if he didn’t exist. Thankfully, he has a Guardian Angel watching over him who helps transform this don’t-know-what-you-have-until-it’s-gone tale into a seasonal gem that has withstood the test of time. For a guaranteed warming of the cockles, don’t miss your chance to catch it on the big screen at Cultureplex this December.