Move over Cannes as it’s all about Glasgow when it comes to cinema. Not only has the city become a go-to for filming locations but Glasgow also boasts its very own film festival and after a two-year hiatus it’s back.
Glasgow Film Festival (GFF) will run from March 2-13 at Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) on Rose Street and Cineworld Renfrew Street, as well as at partner cinemas across the UK and online. The 18th edition of the annual celebration of film is set to host ten world premieres, four European premieres, 65 UK premieres and 13 Scottish premieres, encouraging audiences to return to the cinema and the film festival experience.
GFF will also host a very exclusive preview screening of the first episode of Season 6 of STARZPLAY’s worldwide smash-hit Outlander, with stars of the show Richard Rankin, Lauren Lyle and John Bell in attendance. Plus, the festival will welcome Glasgow-born creative force Armando Iannucci with a very special live ‘In Conversation’ event, looking back over his wide-ranging, multi-media career distinguished by his brilliant feel for character, unforgettable dialogue and razor-sharp wit.
And for the first time ever, Glasgow Film Festival will partner with cinemas across the UK to simultaneously screen some of its biggest premieres. The opening gala UK premiere of The Outfit, the closing gala UK premiere of Murina, plus a special International Women’s Day gala UK premiere of Happening on March 8, will show on big screens throughout the UK, from Stornoway to Bristol via Edinburgh, Manchester, Dundee, Sheffield and London.
GFF is your first chance to catch a host of highly anticipated new releases on the big screen, including the European premiere of Jono McLeod’s My Old School direct from Sundance. Other European premieres include McCurry: The Pursuit of Colour, an exploration of the unforgettable, haunting images captured by renowned photojournalist Stephen McCurry; Stefan Forbes’ Hold Your Fire, a riveting true crime story of a botched robbery, a murdered policeman, a media scrum and a hostage situation in 1970s Brooklyn and Shin Su-won’s love letter to South Korean female film directors Hommage.
Glasgow Film Festival will also be welcoming back its FrightFest for another weekend of thrills, chills and spills! This year’s 12-strong programme features the world premiere of FrightFest veteran Chris Sivertson’s supernatural thriller, Monstrous, starring Christina Ricci as a traumatised mother fleeing with her seven-year-old son from her abusive ex-husband.
Alongside Scottish director Jono McLeod’s My Old School, GFF will showcase a range of Scottish talent both behind and in front of the camera. For instance, young Glasgow-based filmmaker Paul Morris will present the world premiere of his micro-budget Hamilton-filmed debut feature, Angry Young Men, a riotous comedy following local young gang, ‘The Bramble Boys’, defending their home turf against rivals.
This year’s film festival will also celebrate female filmmaking talent from around the world, from brand new UK premieres to a rare retrospective of Norway’s first woman director, Edith Carlmar. Plus, there will also be a focus on an entire continent this year with African Stories – a collection of nine contemporary films celebrating the people, history and culture in some of the 54 countries in Africa.
For the full programme and to purchase tickets, head to the Glasgow Film Festival website here.