This week as we celebrate Pride Month here at Screen Manchester, we are delighted to share some insightful words from talented writer/director Zane Igbe who previously spent time with us as a trainee.
Of His Personal Experience of the Film & TV Industry to Date
“I currently work in the film and television industry as a runner in the Assistant Director department, where I’ve had the opportunity to observe and support productions from behind the scenes. Alongside this, I’m a writer and director, passionate about telling meaningful and underrepresented stories.
I’ve written and directed two short films that explore queer themes — Sweet Mother, which was funded and supported by the BFI, and my most recent, Surprise, Baby!, produced by Rope Ladder Fiction in partnership with Northern Fortress Films. Both films explore different facets of LGBTQIA+ identity and lived experience.
Most recently, I worked as Director and Showrunner’s PA on the upcoming series Talamasca, where I had the opportunity to work under John Lee Hancock. It was a formative experience, and I gained valuable insights that I’m eager to apply to my next project.
My journey into the industry began with a self-produced web series that I wrote and directed to better understand the filmmaking process. That early hands-on experience, driven by curiosity and a desire to learn, helped shape my creative voice and continues to influence the way I approach each new project.”
Of His Thoughts About Making More Films in the Future with an LGBTQIA+ Focus
“As a Black trans man, creating films that explore queer themes isn’t just a creative goal — it’s a personal mission. I want to tell stories that reflect the nuanced, complex, and joyful experiences within the LGBTQIA+ community. Too often, these narratives are reduced to trauma or tokenism. I aim to show a wider spectrum of queer life — the intimate, the awkward, the resilient, the mundane, and the celebratory. I believe representation is most powerful when it’s rooted in authenticity, and that means centering the voices and lives of people who have traditionally been on the margins — including my own.”
Of His Thoughts About the Trend Towards Making More Films in The North
“I’m excited by the shift towards producing more film and TV content in the North. It’s encouraging to see the industry move beyond the London bubble and tap into the energy and creativity that exists elsewhere. What I find particularly promising is the move away from the stereotypical ‘working-class northern’ narrative. While those stories are valid, they don’t represent the full richness of Northern life. I’m keen to see — and be part of — more work that reflects the diversity, queerness, and cultural depth of Northern communities today.”
Of His Thoughts on Pride
“Pride is a powerful celebration of identity, resistance, and visibility. For me, it’s about reclaiming space and joy in a society that often tries to deny both to queer people. It’s a moment where people from all parts of the LGBTQIA+ community — especially those of us who’ve felt pushed to the margins — can come together and be seen, unapologetically. Pride reminds us of the importance of community, of protest, and of joy as an act of defiance.”