
Scottish film and storytelling are noteworthy pillars of our culture. While there are plenty of film festivals for cinephiles to check out around Glasgow this season, a brand new festival is popping up at this UNESCO World Heritage site worthy of the short trip. New Lanark Film Festival is celebrating the best of our cinema in its newly licensed screening space.
The New Lanark Film Theatre seats 123 people, being the only one of its kind located within a World Heritage Site in Scotland. The spot also boasts an exhibition space showcasing the stories behind each film.
New Lanark is located just 50 minutes from Glasgow which used to be an 18th-century Mill Village founded in 1785. The village was renowned worldwide for its progressive ways of industrial living, setting an example of “philanthropy, education and the welfare of the mill workers”. The place now boasts an award-winning visitor attraction that helps fund its conservation and received its UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2001.
The New Lanark Film Theatre is the site’s newest attraction, and will celebrate its inaugural screening on February 15, which will be ‘Top Gun’.
New Lanark Film Festival is running between March 24 and 28, organised in partnership with the prestigious Bill Douglas Cinema Museum in Exeter. The festival highlights the accomplishments of the legendary Scottish director Bill Douglas and his “contributions to preserving cinematic history”. What is more, the festival includes never-before-seen short films from the 1960s by Douglas.
Harvey John Perrie, Marketing & Events Officer at New Lanark said: “The New Lanark Film Theatre has so much potential and is an exciting new asset to our World Heritage Site. New Lanark is a place full of stories from its long history – and now we have a new way to tell stories through the medium of cinema.
The Film Festival is something we envision bringing the whole community together, whether you’re a filmmaker, a film lover, or someone wanting to try out something new – our unique location means that there is something for everyone. We have been overwhelmed by the submissions and interest we have had for our first Film Festival, and we are very excited to share our packed programme soon.”
New Lanark Film Festival programme highlights
March 24 – Opening Gala: Bill Douglas Short Film Collection
The festival begins with a special screening of Douglas’ 8mm short films, made between 1966 and 1969.
March 25 – Community Film Festival
Submissions remain open for independent filmmaking in Scotland, with early entries showcasing some promising screenings. At the end of the day, the Audience Prize winner will be announced.
March 26 – ‘Aftersun’: Celebrating Women in Cinema
In honour of International Women’s Month, the festival will screen Charlotte Wells’ ‘Aftersun’.
March 27 – Restless Natives: Scotland on Screen
A true Scottish classic, Restless Natives remains one of the nation’s most beloved films.
March 28 – Closing Gala: Comrades
To book tickets for the February 15 screening of ‘Top Gun’ and find out more, head to the New Lanark website.