Thursday January 22nd 2026
Closing the festival on 8 March is the UK premiere of James McAvoy’s directorial debut is California Schemin’, based on the improbable true story of Scottish rap duo Silibil N’ Brains, a.k.a. Gavin Bain (credit Mark Mainz).
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
The 22nd edition of Scotland’s largest film festival has been announced, showcasing 126 films from 44 countries.
Described as ‘a part of the city’s cultural life’, the festival is previewing a strong 2026 lineup despite financial pressures on the sector.
Showcasing talent from around the world, the festival will consist of 16 world, European and international premieres, alongside 68 UK premiers and 18 Scottish premiers, in 11 days of what has been described by funders as ‘a wonderful mix of modern and retrospective screenings across a wide range of genres’ that places Scottish filmmaking centre stage.
The festival takes place between 25 February and 8 March.
Made possible by support from Screen Scotland, the BFI Audience Projects Fund and Glasgow Life, the festival is run by Glasgow Film, who also run Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT), and is Scotland’s flagship film festival.
Scottish films will open and close the festival, with the UK premiere of BAFTA-winner Felipe Bustos Sierra’s documentary Everybody to Kenmure Street, executive produced by Emma Thompson, about one of Scotland’s most high-profile acts of civil resistance in recent memory, kicking off GFF26 on 25 February.
Still from Felipe Bustos Sierra's and Emma Thompson's 'Everybody to Kenmure Street'.
Closing the festival on 8 March is the UK premiere of James McAvoy’s directorial debut is California Schemin’, based on the improbable true story of Scottish rap duo Silibil N’ Brains, a.k.a. Gavin Bain (Séamus McLean Ross) and Billy Boyd (Samuel Bottomley).
As well as Hollywood blockbusters, the festival highlights early-career filmmakers, with 42 titles on the programme being a director’s first or second feature. Glasgow Film Festival 2026 (GFF26) will also showcase 50 foreign language films, with 44 languages being represented in the lineup.
The spotlight will be on Scottish cinema this year, with 13 Scottish films being showcased. A selection of established and new Scottish talent will feature on the big screen alongside opening and closing films.
Isabel Davis, Executive Director of Screen Scotland, said:
“The Scottish films reflect a year of fearless, ingenious and entertaining work, from first-time filmmakers to those making a second, third or fourth film here in Scotland. These films sit alongside world-class cinema in a programme that remains as welcoming and audience-focused as ever.
“Screen Scotland is GFF’s major funding partner because the festival champions strong, locally originated work alongside its international programme, and is becoming a significant date in the industry calendar. All of which contributes to our creative and economic growth.”
This year’s festival marks Paul Gallagher’s first edition as Head of Programme, working alongside Programme Manager Chris Kumar and a team of Programme Advisors who bring additional specialist insight across key areas of the programme.
The advisors include Sam Fraser, with a focus on World Cinema; Lauren Clarke, contributing expertise in Documentary; Heather Bradshaw, bringing a specialism in Animation; and Neha Apsara, whose focus is South Asian Cinema.
New Head of Programme Paul Gallagher
Talking on his first year as Head of Programme, Paul explained that ‘it is an absolute honour and privilege to unveil his first Glasgow Film festival’, explaining his programme is one of depth and variety.
He said: “Across these 126 features are stories of vastly differing characters, settings and ideas, but one thing connects them: they are all the result of a personal vision, uniquely brought to the screen.
“I’m particularly pleased at the depth and variety of films in this programme that were made here in Scotland or by Scottish talent; it speaks so highly of the great filmmakers we have, and the increasing opportunities they are taking and creating for themselves. I can’t wait to showcase theirs and so many other brilliant filmmakers’ work to the greatest cinema audience in the World!”
UK premieres this year include humanistic drama Rebuilding starring Josh O’Connor, high- fashion title Couture featuring Angelina Jolie, relationship drama Erupcja led by Charli XCX, political thriller The Wizard of the Kremlin with Jude Law, Paul Dano and Alicia Vikander, and Late Fame and The Birthday Party, both starring Willem Dafoe.
Still from Erupcja, staring Charli XCX (credit Vertigo Releasing).
Scottish premiere highlights include Jim Jarmusch’s Venice Golden Lion-winning Father Mother Sister Brother with Adam Driver and Cate Blanchett, Mark Jenkin’s mysterious drama Rose of Nevada with George MacKay and Callum Turner, and dark thriller The Good Boy starring Andrea Riseborough and Stephen Graham.
For the first time, Glasgow Film Festival (GFF) will open and close with UK premieres of films shot in Glasgow. The festival kicks off with BAFTA-winner Felipe Bustos Sierra’s documentary Everybody to Kenmure Street, executive produced by Emma Thompson, and closes with James McAvoy’s directorial debut, California Schemin’.
Also, the life and work of Marilyn Monroe will be celebrated 100 years after her birth, with a string of the icon’s classic hits shown on the big screen. Taking on the excitement of the festival, Ben Luxford, Director of UK-wide Audiences at the BFI, explained:
“We’re so pleased to be supporting the Glasgow Film Festival with BFI National Lottery funding. We wish Paul Gallagher all the best in his first year as Head of Programme, and we’re excited to see that the team has once again delivered a thrilling and packed line-up which will screen at an even wider range of venues across the city. See you in Glasgow!”
Another supporter, Chair of Glasgow life Baillie Annette Christie, added:
“Glasgow Film Festival is a much-loved part of our city’s cultural life, bringing people together through a shared love of film. From the powerful opening film, Everybody to Kenmure Street, this 12-day programme delivers first-class cinema throughout.
“The festival offers a wonderful mix of modern and retrospective screenings across a wide range of genres, while placing Scottish filmmaking centre stage. Glasgow Life is proud to support a festival that champions new voices, attracts global talent, and firmly places Glasgow on the international film map.”
Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) will remain as the venue at the heart of the event, with screenings also taking place at ODEON Luxe Glasgow Quay as well as special events happening across the city at Glasgow University Union, Glasgow Women’s Library, and the Pyramid at Anderston.
Another highlight of this year’s festival are the special events that include the Marilyn Monroe 100 alongside Community and Youth Takeovers and many more.
Tickets for the full programme go on sale to GFT CineCard / CineCard+ holders at 10am on Friday 23 January, and on general public sale at 10am on Monday 26 January.
Tickets will be on sale online from glasgowfilm.org and at GFT Box Office (12 Rose Street, Glasgow – 0141 332 6535).
For more on the full festival lineup click here.
Tweet Share on Facebook
