Manchester International Festival is back and so is MIF Daily – our curated guide to the festival! We’ll tell you what to read, watch, listen to and do to make the most of MIF25.

MIF Daily is filled with top tips, recommendations and free events to help you navigate the busy festival. Head behind the scenes with interviews, studio visits and editorials, taking you out into the city and far beyond.

Look out for MIF Daily on Factory+ from Tuesday to Sunday throughout the festival.

Come rain or shine, we’ll see you on Festival Square!

READ: LANGUAGE IN FALE SĀ / SACRED HOUSE

FAFSWAG’s takeover at HOME is in full swing. A celebration of queer Indigenous culture, FALE SĀ / SACRED HOUSE centres ancestral stories from the Pacific Diaspora of Aotearoa New Zealand and the wider Moana. Read about the Samoan language terms at the heart of the project here.

Fale Sā (Fa-le-sa) – Sacred House / Spirit House

Along with being the title of the work, Fale Sā refers to a sacred spirit house, which in Samoan traditionally refers to spaces of worship and ceremony. Due to colonization many of these houses no longer exist and have been replaced by western style, Christian churches and temples of worship.

Sauniga (Sau-ni-NGA) – Ceremony

Sauniga is the Live performance and cultural activation component of Fale Sā / Spirit House. It refers to a ceremony or ritual that evokes cultural knowledge systems and traditions. It is one of the main pillars of FAFSWAG’s Project.

Fāgogo (Fa-NGO-NGO) – Fable/Story

Fagogo is a Samoan word that refers to a traditional storytelling technique from the Samoan Islands. It is a performing art that involves a narrator using their voice, skills, and actions to bring stories, events, and people to life. Fagogo stories are often told privately at night within homes.

Talanoa (Tala-Noah) – To Speak

Talanoa is commonly understood as speaking. The term is utilized here to frame the public programme, as a series of discussions and conversations related to the work of the Fale Sā. This expands to the broader community and shared artists discussions. As well as the film screening programme which is intended to generate discussion for its intended audience.

Listen: Juliet Ellis recommends

Today, we’re throwing it back to 2002 with Solange’s first album Solo Star on repeat.

This recommendation comes from Juliet Ellis, the artist behind A Symphony of Flesh and Bones. Juliet likes to immerse herself in an eclectic mix of music while working – from Buddhist teachings to NPR tiny desk concerts. Other favourites include Baby Rose, BadBadNotGood, The Skatalites, the Moonlight soundtrack, Nils Frahm, Abel Selaocoe and Nonkeen.

A Symphony of Flesh and Bones is a new film and installation from artist Juliet Ellis, which offers a deeply personal meditation on the nature of self. Find out more here.

DO: Dream Frequencies at Selfridges

Today marks the start of Dream Frequencies – three days of performances from some of Manchester's best up and coming musical talent live from Selfridges.

Enjoy free performances from Factory Sounds artists including Cariss Auburn, B!TEZ and more. View the full line-up here!

Afterwards head back to Festival Square for Mancunian DJ duo SHIMRISE and Eves’Drop Collective B2B Suffragette City.