French Film Club: Un Homme de Trop
2024-05-20 17:45 - 19:45 UTC | Performance Space
Join us and Alliance Française de Manchester for this month’s film, Un Homme de Trop; a WWII rescue drama in which twelve captured French soldiers await their impending executions in a German prison camp. Suitable for those aged 12 and over. Under-18s remain the responsibility of their parent or guardian.
Free – booking required – please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in the venue, or online

French Film Club: Tout Simplement Noir
2024-11-18 17:45 - 19:45 | Performance Space
Join us and Alliance Française de Manchester for this month’s film, Tout Simplement Noir. JP, a 40-year-old failed actor, decides to organise the first big black protest march in France, but his often burlesque encounters with influential figures in the community and the interested support he receives from Fary mean he vacillates between the desire to be in the limelight and a genuine commitment to militancy…
Film in French with English subtitles. Certificate 15. All Alliance Française de Manchester cultural events are open and accessible to everyone. They are public events and under 18s remain the responsibility of their parent/guardian at all times.
Free – booking required via Alliance Francaise website
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in the venue, or online

Classic Christmas Film Marathon!
2024-12-18 11:00 - 19:00 | Performance Space
Have we got the ultimate selection box for you! Escape from the shops and join us for a magical day of festive films. Suitable for families.
Free – drop in – please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Lights, Camera, Pride! LGBTQ+ History Month Film Night
2025-02-03 17:45 - 19:30 | Performance Space
To celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month we’re hosting a film night where you get to decide the film we watch. The LGBTQIA+ Staff Network will be turning the Central Library Performance Space into the plaza for one night only, complete with popcorn!
Monday 3rd February 2025
Doors open at 5pm. Film starts at 5:45pm on the dot.
We’ve shortlisted four films which celebrate our history, culture and queerness. This is an opportunity to come together as a community, meet colleagues and new friends in real life, and have some fun.

But which film would you like to see? You can vote for your favourite here...

You can find out more details about the films and watch the trailers below.

But I’m a Cheerleader

Megan (Natasha Lyonne) considers herself a typical American girl. She excels in school and cheerleading, and she has a handsome football-playing boyfriend, even though she isn’t that crazy about him. So she’s stunned when her parents decide she’s gay and send her to True Directions, a boot camp meant to alter her sexual orientation. While there, Megan meets a rebellious and unashamed teen lesbian, Graham (Clea DuVall). Though Megan still feels confused, she starts to have feelings for Graham.

Disclosure
This documentary follows an in-depth look at Hollywood’s depiction of transgender people and the impact of their stories on transgender lives and American culture. Disclosure provides a direct conversation between transgender people and Hollywood by showcasing both sides of the conversation with direct examples in film history.

Dating Amber
Set in 1990s Ireland, Eddie (O’Shea) is desperate to hide that he is actually gay, whereas everyone suspects that Amber (Petticrew) is, and she does little to convince people that she isn’t. They decide to team up and pretend to be a couple to throw people off of the scent.
At first, everything goes to plan, and even school bully Kev (O’Reilly) stops harassing the pair, but neither can hide their true nature for long, especially when they stumble across a gay nightclub whilst walking the town one night.

A Secret Love
A former All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player, Terry Donahue, and her partner, Pat Henschel, met in Canada in 1947. They later moved to Chicago and ran a successful interior decorating business until the late 1980s. They kept their lesbian relationship a secret from their families for almost seven decades.

Our wonderful libraries team have also curated a selection of Queer books for you to browse in the cosy reading corner. We’ll also have a suggestion box for you to recommend other LGBTQ+ books you would like the library service to stock.
Free – reserve a place by clicking on the ‘Book Now’ button below or here on eventbrite

International Film Screening Night
2025-02-17 17:30 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Welcome to the Manchester Central Library International Film Society!

We’re thrilled to have you join us for the very first edition of our film club. Our inaugural screening will take place on Monday, 17th February in the Central Library’s performance space, and we can’t wait to introduce you to the wonders of world cinema.
Monday 17th February. Central Library. St Peter’s Square. Manchester.
• Doors open: 17:15
• Introduction to the film: 17:30
• Film starts: 17:45 (sharp!)
• Entry: Pay what you can
• Popcorn: FREE!
• Drinks: Grab a coffee, tea, or soft drink from the fully stocked café!
At the Film Society, we aim to bring you the very best of global cinema—everything from hidden gems to beloved classics—enriching our collective film knowledge and experience. To make it even more exciting, each month you’ll have the chance to vote on 5 fantastic films, and the one with the most votes will be screened. Voting is democratic and fun: you’ll choose the film, and we’ll reveal the winner on the day. (Or, if you’re eager, feel free to email us before the event to find out early!)
Free event – Discover this month’s fantastic films, vote for your favourite and book tickets here!

Mystery International Film Night
2025-04-14 17:30 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Welcome to the voting page for the third edition of Manchester Central Library’s International Film Club’s Mystery Screening series.
Event Details: Monday 14 April 2025
• Doors open: 17:00
• Introduction to the film: 17:30
• Film starts: 17:40
• Entry: Pay what you can (recommended donation of £3)
• Popcorn: FREE!
• Drinks: Grab a coffee, tea, or soft drink from the fully stocked café!
At the Film Society, we aim to bring you the very best of global cinema— hoping to shine a light on underseen gems from around the world —enriching our collective film knowledge and experience, while also having a corker of a time. To make it even more exciting, each month you’ll have the chance to vote on 5 fantastic films, and the one with the most votes will be screened with the winner being revealed the day of the event.
For the first two events the crowds voted on films from Hong Kong and Japan, so today we’re moving away from Asia for a little while and focussing on some often-underexplored movie cultures.
This month’s contenders are:
The Milk of Sorrow

Dir. Claudia Llosa, Peru
A moving psychological study through the lens of traditional Latin American magical realism. Based around the Peruvian belief that trauma can be passed from mother to daughter through the breast milk of the mother, the film examines the devastating impact of the atrocities committed during the Peruvian internal conflict on the psyche of the nation. While obviously speaking directly to the Peruvian identity, there is a broader understanding of the hardships of womanhood on a global level.
Ixcanul

Dir. Jayro Bustamante, Guatemala
A beautiful film that gives a voice to Kaqchikel people and stories – the first in history to do so – employing far more conscientious efforts toward authenticity than most representations of indigenous groups in film. Maria, a teenage girl, dreams of leaving her village but is due to be in an arranged marriage with the local foreman – the film explores her various attempts to find purpose and freedom in a culture that is lost somewhere between Mayan and Christian traditions and where life seems just out of the periphery of opportunity.
The Cyclist

Dir. Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Iran
A Champion Cyclist, strapped for cash and in need of a way to pay for his wife’s medical bills enters into a ridiculous spectacle challenge of a non-stop seven-day endurance cycle. With the spectacle a commercial scene rises up around the man and a microcosm of capitalist exploitation begins to form. The films simple premise is presented with the high tension of any great melodrama and the elements that build, and build are delirious and frustrating with the film culminating in one of the most brazen endings to a film of all time. Intense, tragic and genuinely edge of the seat.
The Damned Don’t Cry

Dir. Fyzal Boulifa, Morocco
Different societal oppressions conflict with and destroy individuals in this lyrical, Sirkian story of humanity in both beauty and brutishness. The story revolves around Fatima-Zahra and her teenage son Selim, who are constantly on the move to escape the scandals that follow them. When Selim uncovers the truth about their past, Fatima-Zahra decides to start anew in Tangier. However, their quest for legitimacy strains their volatile relationship, pushing them to their limits and the limits of social conventions around them.
Enamorada

Dir. Emilio Fernandez, Mexico
A triumphant classic of Mexican cinema. Enamorada is a romantic melodrama that manages not only to craft a beautiful film filled with passion and yearning but also addresses those same ideas of passion and yearning in the hearts of revolutionaries. Set during the Mexican Revolution, General Reyes, a rebel leader, takes control of the conservative town of Cholula. While there, he encounters Beatriz the strong-willed daughter of the town’s wealthiest man. Despite their initial clashes, a romance develops between the two, challenging their beliefs and transforming their lives. Expertly staged and performed, a perfect example of the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema.
Cast your vote here, tell everybody you know about the event and we really look forward to seeing you there.

Dark Blue World - Czech Film Screening
2025-04-24 17:30 - 19:00 | Performance Space
80 Years of VE Day: Czechoslovak RAF Pilots on Screen and in Real Life.
image credit: photo © Biograf Jan Svěrák
Please join us for a film screening of Dark Blue World, a 2001 film by Czech director Jan Svěrák, the Academy Award-winning director of Kolya, about Czech pilots who fought for the British Royal Air Force during the Second World War. The film screening will be followed by an informal talk with Jitka Režná, daughter of General František Fajtl, one of the Czech RAF pilots who fought in WW2 and inspired creators of the film. Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Manchester and Czech School and Community Manchester have put together the event to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Reuniting the creative team responsible for Kolya, 1996 Oscar® winner for Best Foreign Film, under Czech director Jan Sverak, Dark Blue World tells the story of the friendship between two Czech pilots, the veteran Franta (Ondrej Vetchý) and fresh-faced young trainee Karel (Krystof Hádek). They escape Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia, make their way to Britain and join the Royal Air Force. When Karel’s plane is hit and he bails out in the countryside, he is taken in by Susan (Tara Fitzgerald), an Englishwoman whose husband is missing in action. In a moment of weakness, she makes love to Karel, relieving him of his virginity. But later, when Karel takes Franta to meet his “new love,” Franta and Susan are attracted to each other, leading to a situation that will put the two men’s friendship to the ultimate test.
Language: Czech with English subtitles. Suitable for ages 12+.
Free – Please register here or using the ‘book now’ button below.
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Mystery International Film Screening May 2025
2025-05-06 08:00 - 17:00
This event is for individuals aged 15 and over.
Welcome to the fourth edition of Manchester Central Library’s International Film Club’s Mystery Screening series.
Event Details:
Monday 12th May.
• Doors open: 17:00
• Introduction to the film: 17:30
• Film starts: 17:40
• Entry: Pay what you can (recommended donation of £3)
• Popcorn: FREE!
• Drinks: Grab a coffee, tea, or soft drink from the fully stocked café!
At the Film Society, we aim to bring you the very best of global cinema— hoping to shine a light on underseen gems from around the world —enriching our collective film knowledge and experience, while also having a corker of a time. To make it even more exciting, each month you’ll have the chance to vote on 5 fantastic films, and the one with the most votes will be screened with the winner being revealed the day of the event.
VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE AND BOOK TICKETS AT THE LINK BELOW!
This month’s contenders are:
Black Orpheus (1959, Brazil/France)

A reimagining of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice transposed to Rio de Janeiro during Carnaval. Orfeu, a trolley conductor, falls in love with Eurydice, a country girl fleeing danger. With an influential bossa nova soundtrack by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Luiz Bonfá, it remains a significant cultural bridge, introducing global audiences to the allure of Brazilian music and cinema.
Tumbbad (2018, India)

Rahi Anil Barve’s early 20th century set folk horror follows Vinayak Rao’s quest for a hidden treasure in the cursed village of Tumbbad, a quest that turns into a dark fairytale about greed and power. Known extensive use of practical effects and animatronics. From conception to release it took 21 years for Barve’s film to see the light of day, a real labour of love.
The Cremator (1969, Czech Republic)

This dark comedy film – and I do mean dark – tinged with gothic horror follows Karel Kopfrkingl, a crematorium worker in 1930s Prague, who descends into madness influenced by encroaching fascist ideology and Tibetan Buddhism in a film that slyly comments on the slippery slope into totalitarianism and the transformation of the average person into somebody complicit in evil. The film is celebrated for its surreal style and chilling portrayal of Kopfrkingl’s transformation into a murderer.
The Housemaid (1960, South Korea)

Directed by Kim Ki-young, this domestic horror film tells the story of an upper-middle-class family whose lives are upended by a predatory housemaid. The film is a classic of Korean cinema, known for its intense psychological drama and social commentary. Influential and well-known in South Korea, being remade several times and often expanded and riffed on.
Electra, My Love (1974, Hungary)

Quite unlike anything else you’re likely to have seen, this film reinterprets the Greek myth of Electra in a mythical world where a tyrant faces rebellion. Known for its extremely long complex takes, with just twelve shots in its 70 minute run time, the film explores themes of revolution and renewal – all while being one of the most visually stunning films to ever see the light of day.

Mystery International Film Screening
2025-06-16 17:30 - 19:30 | Performance Space
This event is for individuals aged 15 and over.
Welcome to the voting page for the fifth edition of Manchester Central Library’s International Film Club’s Mystery Screening series.
Event Details:
Monday 16th June.
• Doors open: 17:00
• Introduction to the film: 17:30
• Film starts: 17:40
• Entry: Pay what you can (recommended donation of £3)
• Popcorn: FREE!
• Drinks: Grab a coffee, tea, or soft drink from the fully stocked café!
At the Film Society, we aim to bring you the very best of global cinema— hoping to shine a light on underseen gems from around the world —enriching our collective film knowledge and experience, while also having a corker of a time. To make it even more exciting, each month you’ll have the chance to vote on 5 fantastic films, and the one with the most votes will be screened with the winner being revealed the day of the event.
This month’s contenders are:
Black Orpheus (1959, Brazil/France)

A reimagining of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice transposed to Rio de Janeiro during Carnaval. Orfeu, a trolley conductor, falls in love with Eurydice, a country girl fleeing danger. With an influential bossa nova soundtrack by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Luiz Bonfá, it remains a significant cultural bridge, introducing global audiences to the allure of Brazilian music and cinema.
Tumbbad (2018, India)

Rahi Anil Barve’s early 20th century set folk horror follows Vinayak Rao’s quest for a hidden treasure in the cursed village of Tumbbad, a quest that turns into a dark fairytale about greed and power. Known extensive use of practical effects and animatronics. From conception to release it took 21 years for Barve’s film to see the light of day, a real labour of love.
The Cremator (1969, Czech Republic)

This dark comedy film – and I do mean dark – tinged with gothic horror follows Karel Kopfrkingl, a crematorium worker in 1930s Prague, who descends into madness influenced by encroaching fascist ideology and Tibetan Buddhism in a film that slyly comments on the slippery slope into totalitarianism and the transformation of the average person into somebody complicit in evil. The film is celebrated for its surreal style and chilling portrayal of Kopfrkingl’s transformation into a murderer.
The Housemaid (1960, South Korea)

Directed by Kim Ki-young, this domestic horror film tells the story of an upper-middle-class family whose lives are upended by a predatory housemaid. The film is a classic of Korean cinema, known for its intense psychological drama and social commentary. Influential and well-known in South Korea, being remade several times and often expanded and riffed on.
Electra, My Love (1974, Hungary)

Quite unlike anything else you’re likely to have seen, this film reinterprets the Greek myth of Electra in a mythical world where a tyrant faces rebellion. Known for its extremely long complex takes, with just twelve shots in its 70 minute run time, the film explores themes of revolution and renewal – all while being one of the most visually stunning films to ever see the light of day.
vote for your favourite here

Saturday Film Club: Refugee Week Special!
2025-06-21 13:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Join us at Manchester Central Library for a fantastic afternoon for the whole family dedicated to Refugee Week 2025. Watch a family favourite on the big screen and join themed craft sessions. Free entry, just drop in! Check out our full programme below:
1pm-4pm: Film Screening with Crafts
Join us for a screening of The Scent of Geranium by Naghmeh Farzaneh, a short animated film that gives voice to the fears, doubts, and complex range of emotions that immigrants face. Runtime: 5 mins. After that, we will be watching a family favourite (we won’t ruin the surprise for you)! Not really feeling a longer film? Join us for the themed crafts and the popcorn! All materials provided. Free entry, no booking required. Drop in from 1pm. Film screening starts at 1.30pm. Suitable for children up to 12 years old.
1pm-4pm: Discover a New Zine!
Calling all zine enthusiasts! Join Greater Manchester Youth Network for the launch of a new zine created by separated young refugees in Manchester. Free entry, no booking required. All welcome!
1pm-4pm: Get Artsy with Migrant Support
Do you speak more than one language? Do you enjoy chatting about your native language and culture with other people? Then we have planned your dream afternoon! Find out more about our new project with Migrant Support and Nottingham Trent University. Meet new people, share your language with them and make some amazing zines together. Free entry, all welcome!
Entry to all activities is free, drop in.
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online.

Mystery International Film Club Screening
2025-07-21 17:30 - 19:30 | Performance Space
This event is for individuals aged 15 and over.

Welcome to the fifth edition of Manchester Central Library’s International Film Club’s Mystery Screening series.

Event Details:

Monday 21st July 2025 • Doors open: 17:00 • Introduction to the film: 17:30 • Film starts: 17:40

• Entry: Book you pay what you can tickets here (recommended donation of £3) • Popcorn: FREE! • Drinks: Grab a coffee, tea, or soft drink from the fully stocked café!

At the Film Society, we aim to bring you the very best of global cinema— hoping to shine a light on underseen gems from around the world —enriching our collective film knowledge and experience, while also having a corker of a time. To make it even more exciting, each month you’ll have the chance to vote on 5 fantastic films, and the one with the most votes will be screened with the winner being revealed the day of the event.

This month’s contenders are:

Neptune Frost (2021, Rwanda)

Quite unlike anything you will have seen before this Rwandan Afrofuturist musical epic in a which a band of “fourth dimensionally liberated” revolutionaries fight against The Authority to free mine workers from being exploited in a near future Burundi. High concept transgressive cinema executed with high quality, promising a glimpse at a brighter future for cinema as an artform free of market sensibilities and charged with telling totally unique stories.

West Indies (1979, Mauritania)

Birthed from four hundred years of colonial history, Med Hondo’s landmark musical comedy explosively dissects the roots and ramifications of slavery and displacement. Staged gorgeously on a to-scale recreation of a slave ship, Hondo plays with the form of cinema itself, drawing attention to its artificiality while he brings past and present together in an artistic redefining of what a movie musical can be.

The Girl With The Red Scarf (1978, Turkey)

A perfect example of the sumptuous romantic melodrama that can be found in the greatest Yeşilçamfilms from Turkey’s golden age of cinema, once a major powerhouse for film production this era is all but lost in discussion outside of Turkey and sadly so. This film sees a young man and woman fall in love and then face the trials of love and loss with incredibly dazzling drama.

Ali, Fear Eats the Soul (1974, Germany)

Emmi, an elderly German lady, meets and falls in love with Ali, a young Moroccan manual labourer in Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s beautifully melancholic story of forbidden romance and the suffocating nature of societal norms. A thoughtful, empathetic look at the damages caused by anti-immigrant rhetoric. Stir (1980, Australia)

Based off true events, this Australian prison drama is a bleak look at a justice system pushed to its limits treated inmates with disdain and cruelty. We see the buildup to chaos and we see the aftermath of chaos as tensions rise between prisoners and officers in the harshest of conditions.

Watch the film trailers and vote for your favourite film here!!
We’ll notify you of the winning film the night before the screening.

Film Friday
2025-08-29 14:30 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Does Friday afternoon and cinema sound like a good combo to you?
Then join us at Manchester Central Library for a free film screening with themed crafts!
We may even have popcorn!
Suitable for children up to 12 years old. No need to book, free to drop in from 2.30pm. Film screening starts at 2.30pm.
Friday 29 August. 2.30-4pm. Performance Space.

Mystery International Film Screening
2025-09-22 17:30 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Welcome to the sixth edition of Manchester Central Library’s International Film Club’s Mystery Screening series.
Event Details:
• Doors open: 17:00
• Introduction to the film: 17:25
• Film starts: 17:30
• Entry: Pay what you can (recommended donation of £3)
• Popcorn: FREE!
• Drinks: Grab a coffee, tea, or soft drink from the fully stocked café!
To celebrate half a years’ worth of screenings, we’ll be revisiting all of the countries we’ve already visited in the film club so far. As we usually have five films to pick from this month will be no exception, the only difference is that the five films have all been selected from the winning countries we’ve had before.
We’ve made it easier to vote. You can now select your favourite film on the order form! Just fill in your details as usual, on the next page you can then select which of these five films you want us to screen.
This month’s contenders are:
Heart of Glass (1976, Germany)
A minor work from one of the major voices in international cinema, Werner Herzog’s Heart of Glass is an oft overlooked, spellbinding look at an 18th century town’s slow descent into madness as they try to discover the secrets of ruby glass that are lost of the death of the master glassblower. The legend says this film was shot with the cast entirely under hypnosis – for real- to create the alien, detached feel of the piece.
The Given Word (1962, Brazil)
A man’s donkey falls sick in this didactic faith vs judgement story about a man keeping his pact with his religion after he promises to carry a cross like Jesus across the country if his donkey is cured. Vicious at the folly of man and the corruption of religious institutions, Duarte’s film is an underseen gem of Brazilian cinema.
The Red Spectacles (1987, Japan)
From the director of the seismic anime classic Ghost in the Shell, Mamoru Oshii’s The Red Spectacles, is a live-action foray into a future world full of political turmoil, barbaric police juggernauts and conspiracy – all presented through a cartoonish, light-hearted riff on the noir films of the 40s. The first in the directors mammoth Kerberos saga, one of the most tonally fascinating sci-fi series from Japan.
Hit The Road (2021, Iran)
A family embarks on a long road trip to drop their eldest son off on a journey he won’t be retuning from, along the way we learn of the deep family bonds through laughter and tears and the beautiful yet dangerous landscapes they have to endure. A touching debut from a second-generation Iranian film director.
Exiled (2006, Hong Kong)
Bitterness, brotherhood, honour and dishonour ripple through every splendidly staged shot in Johnnie To’s modern crime classic that stands as a testament to a new era in Hong Kong filmmaking. Anchored in the camaraderie – and duplicity- of its ensemble cast, Exiled is pure cinema – focused on camera movements, action and powerful performances.

Mystery International Film Screening
2025-11-24 17:30 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Welcome to the seventh edition of Manchester Central Library’s International Film Club’s Mystery Screening series.
This event is for individuals aged 15 and over.
Event Details:
• Doors open: 17:00
• Introduction to the film: 17:20
• Film starts: 17:30• Entry: Pay what you can (recommended donation of £3)
• Popcorn: FREE!
• Drinks: Grab a coffee, tea, or soft drink from the fully stocked café!
With Manchester Literature Festival finished up and winter well and truly at the door, it seems about time to open the doors to the Manchester Central Library Performance Space once more to another entry into our monthly international film screening series. The rules are simple: we give you five films to vote from here and you’ll find out what won out at the screening.
The theme this month has very loosely turned out to be the cold of winter, but we’ll be sure to keep It nice and warm for you.
This month’s contenders are:
The White Reindeer (1952, Finland)
In the endless white lands of Lapland, a woman’s ritual to rekindle love turns her into a mythical predator. This eerie folk horror explores loneliness, suppressed desire, and ancient Sámi beliefs. Its haunting visuals earned acclaim at Cannes and the Golden Globes.
My Night at Maud’s (1969, France)
A chance evening with a bold, intellectual woman forces a devout Catholic to confront his ideals. Through quiet dialogue and moral tension, Rohmer crafts a philosophical study of faith, choice, and romantic projection—widely praised as a French New Wave gem.
Dead Mountaineer’s Hotel (1979, USSR)
A detective’s routine inquiry at a remote hotel spiral into a surreal mystery that feels like a Lynchian dive into the heart of Soviet sci-fi. This sci-fi noir critiques rigid authority and human fear of the unfamiliar, gaining cult status for its genre-defying style.
Under the Blossoming Cherry Trees (1975, Japan)
A bandit falls under the spell of a woman who demands increasingly grotesque acts. Set beneath ominous blossoms, this stylised trip blends folklore and madness, with Shinoda’s theatrical direction and Takemitsu’s score elevating its eerie beauty.
Ga-Ga: Glory to the Heroes (1986, Poland)
On a dystopian planet, a convict becomes a state-manufactured hero destined for execution. Szulkin’s biting satire skewers authoritarianism and media spectacle, earning cult acclaim for its bold, bleak vision.

Mystery International Film Screening
2025-12-08 17:30 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Rebellion, identity, and survival

This event is for individuals aged 15 and over.
Welcome to the event page for the eighth edition of Manchester Central Library’s International Film Club’s Mystery Screening series.Event Details:

Doors open: 17:00
Introduction to the film: 17:20
Film starts: 17:30
Entry: Pay what you can (recommended donation of £3)
Popcorn: FREE!
Drinks: Grab a coffee, tea, or soft drink from the fully stocked café!

With the year winding down and the festive season approaching, we’re back in the Manchester Central Library Performance Space for another round of our monthly international film screening series.
The rules are simple: we give you five films to vote from here, and you’ll find out what won at the screening. This month’s (unintentional) theme? Rebellion, identity, and survival—stories that challenge norms and explore the human spirit across cultures and decades.
If I could show all five I really would as every one of these films is absolutely cracking, as it stands however I can only show one so get voting:
This month’s contenders are:
The Working Class Goes To Heaven (1971, Italy)
A factory worker’s life spirals after an accident, exposing the alienation and exploitation of industrial labour. Petri’s biting critique of capitalism and class struggle remains a cornerstone of Italian political cinema.
The Story of a Three Day Pass (1967, France/USA)
Melvin Van Peebles’ debut feature follows a Black American soldier on leave in France, navigating love and racial tension. A bold, stylish exploration of identity and prejudice during the civil rights era. An outsiders French New Wave film and one of the finest, a rediscovered masterpiece.
The Harder They Come (1972, Jamaica)
In honour of the late Jimmy Cliff revisit this reggae-infused crime drama about a musician turned outlaw, this cult classic captures the grit and dreams of Kingston’s streets. Its soundtrack helped bring reggae to the world stage.
Bacurau (2019, Brazil)
In a remote village, residents face a chilling threat that turns their quiet life into a fight for survival. A genre-bending mix of Western, thriller, and political allegory, Bacurau is a modern masterpiece of resistance and one of the last major roles of the late Udo Kier.
Enamorada (1946, Mexico)
A fiery romance unfolds during the Mexican Revolution as a revolutionary general clashes with a strong-willed woman. Fernández’s lush visuals and María Félix’s commanding presence make this a gem of the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema.
We’ve made it easier to vote. Just click on the link here to book tickets and fill in your details. You’ll then see a drop down menu of the five films on the shortlist. You just need to select your favourite!

Carol of the Bells-Film Screening
2025-12-16 17:00 - 19:00 | Performance Space
Join us for a special screening of Shchedryk, a feature film by director Olesia Morgunets-Isaenko (122 min), in Ukrainian with English subtitles. At its heart is the world-famous melody by Leontovych, Carol of the Bells. The film intertwines the lives of Ukrainians, Poles, Jews, and Russians against the backdrop of Soviet repression, occupation, and war.
This is a charity screening, with registration and donations welcome. A huge thank you to the film’s producer, Taras Bosak, for providing the film.
The event is organised by Sunflower Manchester in partnership with Kryla Culture CIC, with the support of the “Watch Ukrainian” Association.
Doors: 4.30pm. Film Start: 5pm.
Book tickets here or click ‘Book Now’ below

Mystery International Film Club!
2026-03-09 17:30 - 19:30 | Performance Space
It’s a MONSTER HIT!!

This event is for individuals aged 15 and over.
Welcome to the voting page for the latest edition of Manchester Central Library’s International Film Club’s Mystery Screening series.
Event Details:

Doors open: 17:00
Introduction to the film: 17:20
Film starts: 17:30
Entry: Pay what you can (recommended donation of £3)
Popcorn: FREE!
Drinks: Grab a coffee, tea, or soft drink from the fully stocked café!

The Mystery Film Clubs screenings at Manchester Central Library specialise in showing a wide and eclectic range of films from all over the world. These are the sorts of films unlikely to be seen anywhere else, underseen and under-loved masterpieces from every single point of the globe. There’s no delineation by genre or age, as long as the film is great it can be shown here.
This month’s choices are:
Election (2005 Hong-Kong)
A triad election is upon us and numerous factions vie for power. While the premise implies action, what we have here is a masterful political thriller from director Johnnie To that exposes the vulgarity at the core of tradition and politeness as they fail and are manipulated. Rapturous performances all round and one of the most jaw-dropping endings in film history.
Omar Gatlato (1976 Algeria)
A simple tale of a normal man, we follow him for a few days and meet his family, his friends and his crush, while we do this he addresses the camera and shows us around his city. As much about the man as it is about Algeria, as along our journey we meet the vibrant, colourful locals and the film celebrates a time and a place.
Labyrinth of Dreams (1997 Japan)
Tomiko falls in love with Niitaka, even though she also suspects him of being the Tokyo bus driver serial killer, who killed his female conductors after tiring of them. Gakyruu Ishii’s restrained and ethereal dream of beautiful ghosts cloaked in a hazy melancholy.
Mafioso (1962 Italy)
The past catches up with loveable Antonio in this Italian film filled with lightness and warmth before kidnapping the audience and reminding them the reality of the Sicilian Mafia. A film that will subvert your expectations, shock and entertain you.
The Horse Thief (1986 China/Tibet)
An unbelievable look at the impossible, almost unearthly environments of remotest Tibet as we follow young monk Norbu and his family after he is banished from his temple. A favourite of Martin Scorsese and an unparalleled filmic voice.
Book tickets and vote for your favourite film here or at the link below!

Hispanic Film Club: Mamá cumple 100 años
2026-04-15 17:45 - 19:45 | Performance Space
Manchester Central Library and the Instituto Cervantes of Manchester proudly present the Hispanic Film Club. Join us for this month’s film, Mamá cumple 100 años.
The Manchester Central Library and Instituto Cervantes Manchester present the Hispanic Film Club, a programme designed to celebrate the richness of Spanish-language cinema. This new series is dedicated to the acclaimed director Carlos Saura, one of the most influential figures in Spanish film, internationally recognised for his work exploring memory, identity and the relationship between art and society through a deeply personal and innovative aesthetic. Throughout his career, Saura received numerous awards and collaborated with renowned artists such as Geraldine Chaplin and Antonio Gades, leaving an indelible mark on world cinema.
The first three screenings will feature Elisa, vida mía (1977), Mamá cumple 100 años (1979) and Goya en Burdeos (1999), films that exemplify his ability to combine introspection, history and art in unique narratives. We have chosen Saura because his cinema offers a profound reflection on Spanish history and culture, perfectly aligned with the essence of the Hispanic Film Club: showcasing the diversity and depth of the Hispanic world through works that transcend borders.
This screening: Mamá cumple 100 años [Mama turns 100] (Carlos Saura, 1979).
Synopsis: Ana is alive and married with Antonio; they arrive in the manor in the countryside of Spain where she worked as a nanny many years ago, for the centennial birthday of the matriarch. In their reunion, she finds that Jose died three years ago; Juan left his wife Luchy; Fernando is still living with his mother and unsuccessfully trying to fly a hang glider; and the three little girls are grown-up. Further, she discovers that the dysfunctional family is completely broken, and Luchy in embezzling mother’s money. When Juan arrives for the celebration, he plots with Fernando and Luchy to kill the mother to get the inheritance. Meanwhile, Antonio has a brief affair with Natalia.
Suitable for ages 16+
Free – booking required via Eventbrite or click ‘Book now’ below
Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Mystery International Film Screening
2026-05-11 17:30 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Welcome to the latest edition of Manchester Central Library’s International Film Club’s Mystery Screening series.

This event is for individuals aged 15 and over.
Event Details:

Doors open: 17:00
Introduction to the film: 17:20
Film starts: 17:30
Entry: Pay what you can (recommended donation of £3)
Popcorn: FREE!
Drinks: Grab a coffee, tea, or soft drink from the fully stocked café!

The Mystery Film Clubs screenings at Manchester Central Library specialise in showing a wide and eclectic range of films from all over the world. These are the sorts of films unlikely to be seen anywhere else, underseen and under-loved masterpieces from every single point of the globe. There’s no delineation by genre, place or year, all that matters is the quality of the film.
This month’s choices are:
Clearcut (1991, Canada)
A roaring cult classic of Canadian cinema, a supernatural revenge thriller with big moral questions and furious anger as Polish director Ryszard Bugajski confronts the limits of liberal pacifism. With an incredible central performance from Graham that oscillates between trickster spirit and revolutionary spectre, the viewer is forced to confront their own views of heroism and justice.
Le Franc (1994, Senegal)
A man buys a lottery ticket and to protect it glues it to his wall, when the ticket wins he finds he has to transport both the door and the ticket to claim his prize. This simple image is used to explore themes of global economic catastrophe. Conceived in response to the 1994 devaluation of the West African CFA franc, the film transforms structural violence into slapstick surrealism. The protagonist is a spiritual successor to Chaplin’s The Tramp, with all the tragedy and comedy that entails.
Electra, My Love (1974, Hungary)
Experience the unique cinematic stylings of Miklós Jancsó, in a film with some of the most spellbinding staging and shots ever conceived. Epic Greek Tragedy on the Hungarian plains presented in its entirety through only twelve extended shots. Movement replaces montage: bodies, horses, flags, and crowds swirl in ritualised patterns that mirror cycles of uprising and repression. A whirl of film as dance, theatre and ritual.

Space-themed Day of Family Film Fun
2026-05-16 13:00 - 16:00
Calling all future star explorers to St Peter’s Square this Spring!
As the city keenly awaits the arrival of Planetarium Go! in Manchester this May, Central Library is delighted to confirm some special intergalactic events for all the family.
On Saturday 9 May, brace yourself for an afternoon of space hopping, wacky experiments, moon walking, moon rock races, and more!
Whereas those jetting into the library the following weekend, Saturday 16 May, can expect a special space-age edition of Central Library’s legendary Family Film Club, plus an afternoon of themed out-of-this-world activities.
Clustered around the Performance Space on the ground floor of Central Library, all of these stellar events within the library will be completely FREE to attend.
You can see the full itinerary below – just drop in….
Saturday 16 May, Performance Space 1-4pm, FREE Activity Plan:

1:30pm: Space-themed film screening starts
1-4pm: Crafts

*****
Planetarium Go! Manchester is an immersive pop-up planetarium experience that invites audiences of all ages to explore the wonders of the universe in a truly unique way. Inside a large spherical dome, visitors are surrounded by a 360º screen that transforms astronomy and science films into an unforgettable journey through space.
Popping-up in St Peter’s Square, Manchester (just outside the Central Library) between 1-23 May, tickets for all planetarium experiences can be purchased in advance here: Planetarium Go Manchester
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Storytelling & Moving Image Showcase: A Schools Takeover
2026-06-11 17:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
This June, Manchester Central Library hosts the showcase for SNE Studios Storytelling & Moving Image pilot – a programme delivered in partnership with St Peter’s RC High School and Manchester City of Literature.
Over eight weeks, students from St Peter’s have worked alongside professional creatives to understand the power of storytelling and narrative voice, get hands on with cameras and editing software, and transform poems by Manchester writers into short films of their own, exploring themes of place, belonging, and community voice.
The evening presents the finished films to the public for the first time, alongside an awards ceremony and a panel discussion, co-hosted by SNE‘s Executive Director Baka Bah and a student, and featuring representatives from Manchester Metropolitan University (RISE), St Peter’s RC High School, and Blackmagic Design.
This is the proof of concept for a wider vision: an annual moving image and media literacy programme for young people, built on the belief that the next generation of storytellers deserves the tools, the training, and the platform to tell their own stories.
FREE TICKETS CAN BE BOOKED HERE.

French Film Club: Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis
2026-06-22 17:45 - 19:45 | Performance Space
The French Film Club is an invitation to discover the best of Francophone and French cinema. Screenings of exclusive French-language films (with English subtitles) take place once a month and are free and open to all. Join us and Alliance Française de Manchester for this month’s film, Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis.
Synopsis: ‘A French public servant from Provence is banished to the far North. Strongly prejudiced against this cold and inhospitable place, he leaves his family behind to relocate temporarily there, with the firm intent to quickly return.’
These free screenings are offered with the support of the Institut Français. Unless otherwise indicated, all Alliance Française de Manchester cultural events are open and accessible to everyone. They are public events and under 18s remain the responsibility of their parent/guardian at all times. Please be aware that films may not have a UK age classification.
Film in French with English subtitles. Recommended age rating for this film is 15+.
Free – booking required via Alliance Française website or click ‘Book now’ below.
Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library
