Over 100 UK Cinemas to Host Free ’24 Hour Party People’ Screenings for 24th Anniversary

To celebrate the 24th anniversary of the iconic, vibrant Madchester biopic 24 Hour Party People, over 100 independent cinemas across the UK will host free screenings of the film this October. Details on how to secure your tickets are available below.

Released in 2002, the comedy-drama 24 Hour Party People chronicles the explosive rise of Manchester’s legendary music scene from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. Told through the eyes of Factory Records co-founder Tony Wilson—portrayed by Steve Coogan—the film captures the era of groundbreaking acts signed to the label, including Happy Mondays and Joy Division.

The film boasts an ensemble cast featuring celebrated actors such as Paddy Considine, Simon Pegg, John Simm, Rob Brydon, Lennie James, Keith Allen, and Andy Serkis. Adding to its authentic charm, 24 Hour Party People also features cameo appearances from genuine Manchester music legends, including Happy Mondays’ Paul Ryder and Rowetta, Mark E. Smith of The Fall, and Mani of The Stone Roses.

Additionally, a special screening of 24 Hour Party People is set to open Manchester’s music and media industry conference, “Beyond The City,” on October 6. The event will be followed by an exclusive panel discussion featuring star Steve Coogan, director Michael Winterbottom, and producer Andrew Eaton.

These widespread screenings are organized in association with Escapes, a nationwide free cinema initiative supported by the British Film Institute (BFI). Since its launch in 2024, the Escapes program has successfully distributed over 250,000 complimentary tickets to film enthusiasts across the country.

The free screenings of 24 Hour Party People are scheduled to run between October 5 and October 6. For further details and to secure your complimentary passes, please follow the link provided below.

Reflecting on the film’s lasting legacy, Steve Coogan recently shared his personal thoughts: “This is the work that is closest to my heart. I haven’t seen it for nearly 25 years, but it captures the raw, creative spirit of the town I am incredibly proud to have grown up in. I feel very sentimental about it all, a feeling that Tony Wilson would have undoubtedly deplored.”

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