Glasgow Youth Film Festival (GYFF) has announced a packed programme of special screenings and educational events, taking place at Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) from Friday 26 to Sunday 28 September.
Co-programmed by a group of Young Programmers aged 15 to 18, who are mentored through a summer school with the Glasgow Film team, the annual programme presents a handpicked selection of new releases and modern classics for film fans of all ages.
An unparalleled opportunity for young people with an interest in pursuing a career in film, GYFF Young Programmers gain hands-on experience of planning and delivering a three-day festival, learn how festival programming works, and have the chance to meet with film industry professionals. Participants can also take part in an optional Participative Democracy Certificate, worth two credits at SCQF Level 5. Alumni of the Young Programmers initiative have gone on to achieve success in the film industry, including GFT’s own Learning and Youth Industry Coordinator, Olivia Learmonth.
Opening and Closing Galas
The festival opens on Friday 26 September with the Scottish Premiere of Plainclothes, the Sundance award-winning romantic thriller starring Tom Blyth as Lucas, an undercover cop in 1990s New York State, tasked with entrapping and arresting gay men. An encounter with Andrew (Russell Tovey), one of his marks, forces him to confront his own buried desires.
It will close on Sunday 28 September with a special event screening of Sing Street – the lesser-known but equally charming indie musical from Once director John Carney. Set in 1980s Dublin, Sing Street follows teenage Cosmo as he finds a distraction from his difficult family life in the form of a girl, and decides to set up his own band in an attempt to impress her. A punch-the-air crowd pleaser with a killer 1980s soundtrack of new wave classics from The Cure, Duran Duran and The Jam, it’s a film that brims with energy and heart.
Scottish Premieres
GYFF will present Scottish Premiere screenings across the festival weekend, giving Glasgow film fans an early chance to enjoy two of the year’s finest new documentaries.
Winner of the Youth Jury Award at Sheffield DocFest, Runa Simi follows voice actor Fernando as he goes on a quest to dub Disney’s animated classic The Lion King into Quechua – an endangered language that is the most spoken indigenous dialect in South America.
Directed by Linus O’Brien, son of The Rocky Horror Picture Show creator Richard O’Brien, Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror charts the weird and wonderful journey to create the world’s biggest cult film. It will screen on Sunday 28 September to mark 50 years since the release of Rocky Horror.
Several of the feature films screening at GYFF will be paired with new short films from an exciting new generation of Scottish filmmakers.
Modern Classics
GYFF also brings film fans of all ages the chance to discover – or rediscover – some of the best-loved films from recent cinema history.
The festival’s ever-popular Friday night cult film slot will feature the Korean zombie classic, Train to Busan.
The line-up on Saturday 27 September showcases a series of singular directorial voices. Family audiences can discover the extraordinary vision of Wes Anderson at a free morning screening of his delightful stop motion animation Fantastic Mr Fox.
There will be a rare chance to watch Isabel Sandoval’s exquisite film, Lingua Franca, about an undocumented Filipina trans woman working as a caregiver for an elderly Russian-Jewish woman in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. Originally released in 2019, Sandoval’s film feels even more timely today.
Saturday’s programme will culminate with a 15th Anniversary screening of Richard Ayoade’s hugely popular Submarine, starring Craig Roberts and Sally Hawkins and featuring a soundtrack by Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys.
On Sunday 28 September, GYFF will also take over GFT’s regular Queer Cinema Sundays slot with a special screening of Jamie Babbit’s 1990s satirical teen rom-com, But I’m a Cheerleader.
Tickets for Glasgow Youth Film Festival screenings will go on sale on Wednesday 20 August at 2.15pm from glasgowfilm.org and the GFT Box Office.
Behind the Scenes Industry Programme
Alongside the programme of film screenings, GYFF’s popular Behind the Scenes programme will make a welcome return with four free educational events for 15 to 25 year olds, in association with BFI Film Academy. Designed to give young people a valuable insight into roles across the film industry, Behind the Scenes is one of the leading youth education initiatives in the Scottish film sector.
Events will include talks from fashion and cultural historian Dr Casci Ritchie exploring costume design in coming-of-age films; and Donald Pirie, one of Scotland’s leading voice over artists and casting director at Big Mouth Audio, who will be offering expert insights into the world of voice over.
The full programme for the free but ticketed Behind the Scenes youth industry events will be announced soon.
Allison Gardner, CEO of Glasgow Film, said: ‘GYFF is always a highlight of the GFT calendar and this year’s young programmers have put together a superb programme for audiences of all ages. It’s great to see the return of several much-loved GFT titles like Submarine and Fantastic Mr Fox — not to mention a personal favourite, Train to Busan — rubbing shoulders with some great new titles receiving their Scottish premieres. There really is something for everyone!’
Duncan Harte, GFT Learning and Youth Engagement Manager, said: ‘This year’s group of 16 young programmers dedicated their summer to curating the festival and their keen programming instincts are clear to see. It’s a really well-balanced programme, full of light and shade, that takes viewers on a journey from turmoil and resistance to a place of liberation and joyful celebration. Recurring themes the young programmers prioritised were standing up for your beliefs, not being afraid to express your true self and rooting for the underdog – sentiments I think Glasgow audiences can really get behind!’
Cate, GYFF Young Programmer, said: ‘It’s been a really good summer. It’s really cool to be part of this collaborative project and have something really amazing at the end of it.’
Sam, GYFF Young Programmer, said: ‘I feel amazing about it, we have an excellent line up of films from different genres and I’m excited to see the public react to it.’
Glasgow Youth Film Festival is operated by Glasgow Film, an educational charity which also runs Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) and the award-winning Glasgow Film Festival, and is the lead organisation for Film Hub Scotland. GFT is the city’s original independent arthouse cinema and the home of film in Glasgow.
Glasgow Youth Film Festival is funded by Screen Scotland, Creative Scotland, Glasgow City Council Towards Better Futures and BFI Film Academy. Behind the Scenes in association with BFI Film Academy, awarding National Lottery Funding, is delivered by GFT and Eden Court Highlands.
More information
Header image is a still from But I'm a Cheerleader.
About Glasgow Film
Glasgow Film has been championing independent cinema in Scotland from our home at Glasgow Film Theatre for over half a century.
As a registered educational charity, we have evolved from a single screen into a thriving three screen cinema and hub of activity where children, families, and young people learn about film, communities come together, and filmmakers of the future develop their careers.
With a passionate team and an independently curated programme of rarely screened classics and undiscovered gems, we’re proud to provide an inclusive, collaborative space for a diverse film going community that celebrates the magic of Cinema For All.
Glasgow Film Theatre is a charity registered in Scotland. No. SC005932. www.glasgowfilm.org
About GFT
A jewel in the crown of Glasgow’s cultural offering, the iconic Glasgow Film Theatre was purpose-built for the most enthusiastic filmgoers on the planet.
Our screens show new releases, thematic seasons, rarely screened classics and undiscovered gems, expertly curated by our in-house programming team.
With meticulously modernised film technology as well as 35 and 70mm film projection and art deco interiors upgraded with accessibility in mind, we’ve created an inclusive, collaborative space where people from all walks of life can experience films the way they were meant to be.
We offer something truly special, an inclusive and welcoming space, delivered by a passionate and knowledgeable team who believe in Cinema For All.
Screen Scotland
Screen Scotland drives development of all aspects of Scotland’s film and tv industry, through funding and strategic support.
Screen Scotland is part of Creative Scotland and delivers these services and support with funding from Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Find out more at screen.scot and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Glasgow Communities Fund
The Glasgow Communities Fund is administered by Glasgow City Council and aims to tackle poverty and inequality through:
- Building the skills, capacity and resilience of individuals and communities;
- Supporting activities and services that will enable and empower communities to become involved in the social, economic and cultural life of the city; and
- Removing or minimising disadvantages experienced by people due to their protected characteristics.
The Fund is open to community and Third Sector organisations and in January 2023 funding was awarded to 220 organisations for the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2026.
Further information on the Fund is available at https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=24985
Glasgow City Council
Towards Better Futures (TBF) is Glasgow City Council Education Services Employability Strategy which aims to ensure school leavers enter a sustained positive destination.
BFI Film Academy
BFI Film Academy offers opportunities for ambitious young people, anywhere in the UK, to develop their knowledge and skills towards building a successful career in the screen industries through a range of accessible courses and events.
Short and Specialist Courses for 16-19 year olds are delivered at over 50 locations across the UK. Supported by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and National Lottery, these introductory, hands-on technical courses provide invaluable experience and have an excellent track record of inspiring the next generation of filmmakers and crew.
BFI Film Academy also includes regular events for young people aged 16-25 online and at cinemas and other venues across the UK.
Media contact
For any interviews, images or other media enquiries, please contact Claire McNaught, Glasgow Film Marketing and Press Co-ordinator, on [email protected]