The UK’s first-ever MUBI FEST brings a celebration of spectacular cinema to Manchester

Global distributor, streaming service and production company, MUBI, is bringing the first-ever UK edition of MUBI FEST to Manchester’s Aviva Studios.

Taking place across Fri 12 & Sat 13 Jul, MUBI FEST promises a celebration of every aspect of great cinema and film culture.

The festival will feature a handpicked selection of feature films and shorts being screened in innovative and exciting places, alongside a programme of stage talks, Q&As, workshops, installations and DJs.

MUBI FEST Manchester will be the first in the group’s 2024 worldwide programme, with events to follow in Mexico City, São Paulo, Chicago, Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Santiago, Istanbul and Milan.

Highlights from the festival include the Northern premiere of Levan Akin’s (And Then We Danced) sophomore feature, Crossing, on Fri 12 Jul. The film follows the tender story of Lia, a retired teacher from Georgia, who learns from her young neighbour, Achi, that her long-lost transgender niece, Tekla, has crossed the border into Turkey.

Lia and Achi embark on a journey across Istanbul in search of Tekla, discovering connections that transcend borders and generations. Viewers will also get to hear from the director, with a Q&A taking place after the showing.

Throughout the weekend, the MUBI Screen is set to stage an unmissable selection of shorts from renowned, trailblazing directors such as Sofia Coppola, Yogos Lanthimos, Hayao Miyazaki, up-and-coming British talent Luna Carmoon (Hoard) and Yann Demange’s Dammi starring Oscar-nominee Riz Ahmed. The short film programme also features UK music icon Skepta’s directorial debut, Tribal Mark, a captivating vignette which follows Mark (Jude Carmichael), a teenage Nigerian immigrant who stumbles upon the world of the covert Black Secret Service while acclimatising to his new life in London.

On Sat 13 Jul, audiences will have an exclusive opportunity to catch Gasoline Rainbow, the latest from celebrated directorial duo, the Ross Brothers (Bloody Nose Empty Pockets, Contemporary Color). Taking their pioneering hybrid approach to the cinematic road trip, the film captures a candid, deeply loving portrait of the new generation as told in their own words. Again, this will be followed by a Q&A with directors and co-writers Bill Ross IV and Turner Ross.

Also on Sat 13 Jul, there will be an advanced preview of Manchester-born filmmaker Naqqash Khalid’s debut feature In Camera, followed by a Q&A. Nabhaan Rizwan stars as Aden, whose dreams of becoming an actor are worn down by the grind of the audition circuit. However, after Conrad, played by Amir El-Masry, moves into his flat, his new and unusual view of the world inspires a fresh perspective for Aden.

Elsewhere, a wildly exciting collection of DJs from Manchester and beyond provide the festival soundtrack, beginning on Friday night with sets from Istanbul-born Toby Kind and Fastlove, presented by local queer-run music collective High Hoops. On Saturday, emerging talent Chandé ramps up the energy alongside expert party-starter Bollibubbles and an irresistible closing set from electro-soul prodigy Tarzsa.

Entrance to MUBI FEST is free, including all talks, workshops, and DJ sets. Full programme details will be announced soon. Tickets for film screenings in the Hall at Aviva Studios are available to book in advance for £8 per person.

For more information, or to book screening tickets, click the button below.