The Manchester Indian Film Festival (MIFF), Europe's largest South Asian cinema celebration, returns to the city for its fifth edition from July 11 to July 18, 2026. Screenings will take place at HOME Cinema and the Green Quarter's Cultplex, with sister branches also running in London, Birmingham, Bradford, and Sheffield.
Opening with LGBTQIA+ Voices
The festival kicks off on July 11 at HOME Cinema with the Too Desi Too Queer short film collective, a showcase of stories amplifying South Asian LGBTQIA+ experiences, described as having 'a bit of Northern spice.' The shorts and documentaries premiere in association with Rainbow Noir Manchester, and a Q&A session will follow to encourage discussion of the art on offer.
Restored Classics and Cult Films
A highlight of the programme is the northern premiere of legendary theatre director Peter Brook's film adaptation of the ancient Indian epic The Mahabharata, one of the longest poems ever written. The film has been restored in 8K, and Brook's son, Simon Brook, will present the feature. Other guests include the Indian Consulate for Manchester, Vishakha Yaduvanshi.
HOME's third screening is a restoration of the rebellious 1989 comedy In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones. The film offers a glimpse into laid-back student life in a 1970s Delhi architecture school, inspired by the screenwriter's own experiences. It captures the lives of westernised, English-speaking young adults and continues to resonate as an early portrayal of complex youth cultures emerging in India at the time.
Banned Film and British Asian Talent
The latter half of the screenings moves to Cultplex, starting on July 16 with an evening of shorts spotlighting emerging British South Asian talent, followed by a Q&A session. Manchester's final film nights offer audiences the chance to experience two cult-status Indian movies in a lively environment. One is the controversial Gandu, directed by 'India's most dangerous filmmaker' nicknamed Q, which was denied theatrical release in India by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) due to its content.
For those seeking lighter fare, the London Indian Film Festival's premiere All About Weddings, the directorial debut, will also be screened.
Quote from the Director
Speaking about the festival's programme, CEO and Programming Director Cary Rajinder Sawhney MBE said: 'Manchester has one of the UK's most diverse, curious and cinema-loving audiences, making it the perfect home to showcase films that people simply wouldn't have the opportunity to see anywhere else. From powerful regional stories from across the Indian subcontinent to bold LGBTQIA+ voices, emerging British Asian filmmakers to rare masterpiece restorations including the legendary The Mahabharata by Peter Brook. We're proud to bring audiences a programme that celebrates the incredible diversity of South Asian cinema today. Our aim has always been to champion stories that deserve a wider audience and create opportunities for meaningful cultural exchange through film, and all our films are English-subtitled. This year we are delighted to work with HOME and Cultplex cinemas in the city centre and Reel cinema in Rochdale.'
All films are English-subtitled, ensuring accessibility for diverse audiences.
