Mystery International Film Screening
2026-05-11 17:30 - 19:30 UTC | 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
