Manchester has a vast array of independent cinemas, bustling with cinephile and movie lovers alike. Not to mention a calendar full of film festivals of all sizes throughout the year, showcasing local and international films.
Here are some of the city’s favourite spots:
Independent Cinemas - HOME, Manchester
We have to start with HOME.
HOME is the multi-million pound, purpose-built art, film and drama complex at 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester.
HOME has five state-of-the-art cinemas but what really makes HOME special is its global outlook and appetite for diversity. New releases; restored classics; cult favourites; foreign-language releases; short films; arthouse oddities, documentaries; Q&As with directors; digital or analogue projection; silent, stereo or 7.1 sound: HOME has it all.
It’s the heart of international independent cinema in Manchester and worthy of any film-loving city, regularly hosting festivals like the ¡Viva! Spanish & Latin American Festival and the Animation and Short Film Festival.
The Savoy, Heaton Moor
Rescued, refurbished and re-opened in 2015, The Savoy is a proudly independent ‘boutique’ cinema. That means it offers more than just fizzy drinks and popcorn and loves to make a special event out of screenings. For example, a screening of The Big Lebowski offered a free White Russian to anyone wearing a dressing gown.
The Savoy screens all the latest films and blockbusters and has family-friendly weekend matinees. It has a cleverly varied programme that includes art films, documentaries and even live broadcasts from the National Theatre, RSC or the Bolshoi.
The building itself is an original, single screen cinema that first opened in 1923. It’s largely unchanged apart from the snacks on offer and the state-of-the-art projection and sound system. It’s now run as a family business, for the love of cinema and for the community and members that helped to save it.
Regent Cinema, Marple
The Regent opened as a cinema in 1931 and has been running ever since. With reasonable prices, red velour interior, seating in the Circle or the Stalls and even an interval with ice cream, Regent Cinema is a classic ‘going to the pictures’ experience.
But it’s not all nostalgia and Pearl & Dean advertising. The Regent is a living, breathing independent cinema that’s as in love with film as it was when it opened. It has a single screen set up but they screen most of the latest titles. They often show bigger name films a few weeks after release or for a few weeks at a time.
The Plaza, Stockport
Since it opened in 1932, The Plaza must’ve screened countless cliff hangers where the hero or heroine were saved from doom, just in time. But perhaps the Plaza’s greatest drama was its own. On the verge of dereliction, the Plaza was bought by enthusiasts in 2000. Years of campaigning and lots of hard work later, the Plaza is restored to its glorious art deco best. The Plaza is also a theatre and venue for touring acts, but cinema is in its blood.
EVERYMAN, Altrincham and St. John
The new kid on the block, the Everyman in Altrincham opened in November 2018 and St. Johns in 2019. They’re actually a national chain but they’re trying to redefine cinema-going and they’re gaining a lot of fans on the way. Watching movies at an Everyman is a luxury experience with as much attention paid to the food, drink and waiter service as the films being screened. It may not be cheap but it promises to be special.
Small World Cinema Club (SWCC), Northern Quarter
Based at The Foundation Coffee House on Lever Street in Manchester, SWCC is a small pop-up cinema with screenings on the first Tuesday of every month. There’s only space for around 30 people per evening so if there’s such thing as a micro-cinema, this is it.
If you’re nervous about film clubs, SWCC just isn’t that kind of club. You don’t have to join and you can just watch the film and leave. No degree in film studies required! But for those who like to chat, before or after the film, SWCC is dedicated to bringing people together and making quality independent cinema accessible to everyone.
Moston Small Cinema
Moston Small Cinema deserves a special mention. Part of the Miners Community Art & Music Centre, Moston Small Cinema is a credit to all the volunteers that built it out of a derelict working men’s club with donated materials. They built something out of nothing, literally.
Don’t expect all the regular films to be shown here. Screenings are a little irregular, but they always try to make them special. And for such a small cinema, they’ve had names like Ken Loach and Maxine Peake supporting their cause with special appearances and Q&As.
Film Clubs - Manchester and Salford Film Society, Altrincham
Established in 1930, Manchester & Salford Film Society is the UK’s longest-running film society. Their monthly screenings take place at the very pleasant Altrincham Little Theatre and are free for members (just £39 per year) or £5 for guests (all welcome).
Members choose the films to be screened each season and titles can be plucked from anywhere in the world or from any period of cinema history. Seriously, check out their current season. It’s all about finding the best in thought-provoking cinema and sharing a love of film with like-minded people. Here’s to the next 88 years!
Through the Lens Film Club
Through the Lens Film Club offers a fun and engaging environment where kids can learn to create their own short films. Each week, young filmmakers explore various aspects of film-making, from scriptwriting to editing. Under expert guidance, they unleash their creativity and collaborate on exciting projects, all while making new friends.
This unique experience not only develops their artistic skills but also boosts their confidence and self-expression. Hosted at Stretford Mall in Trafford, it’s the perfect spot to nurture the next generation of film makers.
Film Festivals - Manchester Film Festival
Manchester Film Festival has an open, honest and transparent ethos. It strives to be a unique and there’s a lot of enthusiasm for this approach amongst filmmakers. The festival usually takes place in early March, with a full programme of feature films, docs, shorts, animation, music videos, experimental and student films from the northwest and around the world. The next Sundance? Maybe.
Kinofilm Festival
The Manchester International Short Film & Animation Festival (to give it it’s full title!) has been around for 20+ years. It’s done a great job of supporting emerging talent in the northwest and bringing the work of established names to screens in different venues in Manchester. Aside from the festival, they also host monthly short film screenings called Kino Shorts. Check their website for details.
Bolton Film Festival
In October each year, Bolton Film Festival puts on three days of international short films, industry talks and masterclasses. It’s a celebration of the creativity and variety of the short film format and it culminates in an awards ceremony on the final night. The festival patron? None other than Maxine Peake.
Manchester Animation Festival
This is the UK’s largest Animation Festival dedicated to the celebration of the animated art form. Hosted at HOME, the festival brings one of the UK’s biggest animation hubs together and invites the international community to delight in all things animated. MAF is the only Oscar-qualifying animation festival in the UK.
¡Viva! Spanish & Latin American Festival
¡Viva! Is the annual celebration of Spanish and Latin American film culture, bringing a programme of the most exciting cinema from across the Spanish-speaking world. Making its home at Manchester's HOME theatre. Running for over 30 years, they work hard to present multiple UK premieres, Q&As with filmmakers and introductions by experts. Plus, some fantastic archive treats.
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