Manchester Film Festival announces more films and Q&As with filmmakers

The Manchester Film Festival announced additions to the 2025 programme.

Alongside the 45  feature films and short film strand previously announced, the festival will also present 3 features films: the Manchester premiere of THE END; the Manchester premiere of HILL and the World Premiere premiere of BREAKING BARRIERS: THE PAULA DUNN STORY.

THE END is Joshua Opennheimer’s (The Act of Killing) narrative debut, starring Tilda Swinton, George Mackay and Michael Shannon. An apocalyptic musical about a rich family living in a mine converted into a luxury apartment. The earth around them has apparently been destroyed, but their son has never seen the outside world.

HILL is a documentary which follows a unique family story set against the backdrop of the fastest sport in the world. How Damon Hill defied the odds and overcame tragedy to step out of his father’s shadow and become a racing legend in his own right. HILL is directed by BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Alex Holmes (Maiden, The Rig). Hill is released as a Sky Exclusive later in 2025. Distributed by Signature Entertainment

BREAKING BARRIERS: THE PAULA DUNN STORY, follows the journey of Paula Dunn, the first female head coach of UK Athletics.This film not only highlights her groundbreaking achievements but also serves as a personal exploration for her son and director, Kane Dunn, who embarks on a quest to understand the true scope of his mother’s impact on British athletics.

Additionally, the festival has announced a number of confirmed guests who will participate in post screening discussions and Q&As following their screenings. These include the BAFTA nominated SANTOSH writer/ director Sandhya Suri, writer/ director Sasha Nathwani for LAST SWIM and writer/director Ryan J. Smith for KID.

Full details below of confirmed attendance: 

Aontas – Damian McCann (Writer/Director)

Departures – Lloyd Eyre-Morgan (Writer/Director), Neil  Ely (Writer/Director)

Foul Evil Deeds – Richard Hunter (Writer/Director)

Hostages – Jim Owen (Writer/Director)

Kid – Ryan J. Smith (Writer/Director), Rhiann Millington (Cast)

Last Swim – Sasha Nathwani (Writer/Director)

Meta: The Dazzling Girl – Prasanth Mambully (Writer/Director)

Near Miss – Jamie Rafn (Writer/Director)

Phase – Jessica Vogt (Writer/Director), Tom Ransom (Writer)

Restless – Jed Hart (Writer/Director), Lyndsey Marshal (Cast)

Santosh – Sandhya Suri (Writer/Director)

The Accidental Spy – Anthony Wonke (Director)

The Severed Sun – Dean Puckettt (Writer/Director)

Silent Notes – Antonio Comas Torres (Director)

Transplant – Jason Park (Writer, Director)

Treading Water – Gino Evans (Writer, Director), Joe Gill (Cast)

Two Big Feet – Noah Stratton-Twine (Writer, Director), Oliver Woolf (Cast)