PINK PICTURES PLAY PROUD IN MANCHESTER

Gay and lesbian cinema is set to make its mark amongst a summer of frivolity in the north at the 3rd Manchester Lesbian & Gay Film Festival.

After the last two phenomenally successful annual events, this year’s line-up of 23 films boasts a heady mix of groundbreaking drama, riotous comedy, touching love stories and glorious camp classics.

With all eyes on Manchester this summer, UCI Cinemas hope to contribute to the success of the city’s first Europride by subsidising the entry price for all films in the festival to just £2.95.

Once again, Manchester landmark UCI thefilmworks will welcome a cross section of locals and visitors to experience the cream of gay and lesbian film, some of which will be screened for the first time in the city.

Highlights of this year’s festival include a wild selection of the very best new lesbian and gay films from across the globe and two sexy packages of short films, highlighting a commitment to new filmmakers and the short film industry. Camp dazzling classics like Victor/Victoria and Cabaret are back on the big screen, alongside a lesbian literary coupling of The Hours and Mrs Dalloway.

The festival programme includes stunning new features like Blue Gate Crossing, Suddenly, Luster, and Food of Love. Enjoying an exclusive preview at the festival, Camp is one film tipped for box office success when the “Fame meets Beaches” comedy-musical gets a nationwide release in September.

The two-week film-fest is the longest of its kind in the UK and opens on Friday 15th August with a spectacular, star-studded gala screening of Mango Soufflé. The following night sees legendary flop Showgirls treated to a glam-and-glitter screening, with anyone dressed in ‘showgirls’ couture receiving free entry to the film.

Pre-release buzz has already started around the festival’s closing film Party Monster, the true story of New York clubbing legend Michael Alig, starring Macaulay Culkin, Chloe Sevigny and Marilyn Manson. The two-week festival will come to a close with an exclusive Party Monster-themed club event at the popular Canal Street lounge bar Poptastic Barbelow on Thursday 28 August.

Andrew Woodyatt, Film Marketing Manager at UCI Cinemas, comments:

“The films featured will entertain, thrill, shock, provoke discussion and show the world exactly what queer cinema has to offer.
“We couldn’t be happier with the selection we’ve secured and we’re hoping that both visitors and Mancunians alike will support the festival and enable us to return to the city year after year.”