You’ve probably already heard that the inaugural MUBI FEST is coming to Manchester’s Aviva Studios next month, including a screening of Gasoline Rainbow courtesy of Dazed x MUBI Cinema Club. Now, we’re here to share a few more details on a packed programme of screenings and talks taking place on the main day of the festival, July 13.

Starting strong, the Saturday morning will kick off with a welcome mixer – with coffee, treats, and a Dazed mag and poster giveaway – for a series of creative industry talks from Dazed x MUBI Cinema Club. Get your free tickets here. The first of these will feature members of the Dazed and MUBI teams themselves, revealing how they got into the worlds of film, arts, and events, hosted by Dazed Club’s Jack Sunnucks.

The second industry talk will bring together all four filmmakers from across the MUBI FEST programme, including Levin Akin, director of Crossing, which will screen on the opening day (July 12). Akin will be joined by Manchester-born director Naqqash Khalid (In Camera), plus Bill Ross IV and Turner Ross (Gasoline Rainbow), to talk about their respective processes and approaches to casting, alongside host and film critic Simran Hans. After that, you’ll want to stick around for more inspiration and advice from costume designers, cinematographers and producers in the industry. Their talk will give a behind-the-scenes glimpse into starting out as a creative in the film industry.

What about the films, though? Well, Dazed x MUBI Cinema Club is proud to present an exclusive screening of Gasoline Rainbow at 3pm, rounded out by an exclusive Q&A with directors the Ross Brothers.  Hosted by journalist Savina Petkova, the conversation will offer audiences a deep dive into the creative talent behind one of the year’s most interesting films. Tickets available here.

That’s not all, though. Later on in the evening, MUBI FEST will also feature the northern premiere of In Camera, the debut full-length drama from Naqqash Khalid. Yet another Q&A will follow, with Khalid himself in conversation with lead actor Nabhaan Rizwan, hosted by Simran Hans.

As if that wasn’t enough, the ‘MUBI Screen’ will also be running from 11am until late. Located in a cosy corner of the Undercroft at Aviva Studios, this will allow visitors to discover short films from some of the world’s most acclaimed filmmakers, including Hayao Miyazaki, Sofia Coppola, and Yorgos Lanthimos. Sounds like the perfect place to take a breather from the packed schedule, if you ask us. And, on Saturday evening, don’t miss a special presentation of TRIBAL MARK, the directorial debut from none other than grime icon Skepta.

Besides the film programme at the festival,  there’s an incredible lineup of DJs, with sets from Manchester’s Chandé, Hannah O’Gorman, and Bollibubbles, as well as an after-party thrown by one of the UK’s most exciting talents, Tarzsa.

Meanwhile, a short immersive cinema experience will be opening alongside the festival, titled Sweet Dreams. Curated by Factory International and run by the artist collective Marshmallow Laser Feast, this explores our place in the food chain, and asks some big questions about appetite and desire, through the lens of surreal pop, cinema, and gaming.

Elsewhere around Aviva Studios, there will be a film-themed photo booth, art-making station, MUBI shop, and a MUBI poster gallery, which aims to give visitors some more insight into the film distributor and production company. All of this will be fuelled by food trucks serving tacos, cocktails, coffee and cake, pizza, and breakfast burritos, and Pasta Factory dishing up fresh Italian food. And don’t forget the free popcorn!