SCENE Festival 2025 brought Manchester’s LGBTQ+ film and television community together for seven days of screenings, live events, panel discussions and unforgettable celebrations. Taking place across the city from 15–21 August, the festival showcased new queer cinema, landmark television and much-loved cult classics alongside appearances from leading writers, performers and filmmakers.
Highlights included the tenth-anniversary reunion of Russell T Davies’ Cucumber, the premiere of Lesbian Space Princess, a celebration of Jonathan Harvey’s Beautiful Thing and a special thirtieth-anniversary screening of Showgirls. Free outdoor cinema, drag performances, comedy, documentaries and international LGBTQ+ storytelling completed the programme.
This SCENE Festival 2025 photography collection captures the people, personalities and atmosphere that made the second edition such a success—from red-carpet arrivals and intimate conversations to live performances and audience celebrations across Manchester. Explore the gallery for highlights from one of the UK’s fastest-growing LGBTQ+ film and TV festivals.
20 August 2025
SCENE : Iris Awards
Event highlighting Iris Prize selections at SCENE Festival 2025.
SCENE : Cucumber 10th Anniversary Celebration
Anniversary event reflecting on Channel 4’s Cucumber legacy
19 August 2025
SCENE : What It Feels Like For a Girl
Special screening and panel at Manchester's SCENE Festival
SCENE : Iris Awards
Manchester's SCENE Festival partners with Iris Prize showcasing regional films.
18 August 2025
SCENE : Iris Awards
SCENE Festival partners with Iris Prize for regional film selections
15 August 2025
SCENE : C4 Presets - An Altogether Different Comedy Night
Comedy event featuring emerging voices at Aviva Studios, Manchester.
24 July 2025
SCENE : Launch Party 2025
Opening event for SCENE Manchester LGBTQ+ Film & TV Festival