Glasgow Film Festival 2021: what’s on, and how to watch films from home - from Minari to Creation Stories
A movie written by Irvine Welsh is among the features to debut at the 2021 Glasgow Film Festival, which kicks off today (24 February) and will take place virtually due to current lockdown restrictions.
The festival had planned a hybrid approach, screening films at the Glasgow Film Theatre and at 23 partner cinemas across the UK, as well as streaming online, but lockdown measures forced cinemas to close.
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Hide AdAllison Gardner, chief executive of Glasgow Film and co-director of Glasgow Film Festival, said: “We are still able to offer the majority of the premieres originally included in the programme for people to watch at home.”
Here is everything you need to know about it.
What’s on?
In total, the festival will screen 10 world premieres, three European premieres and 49 UK premieres on its digital platform, Glasgow Film At Home.
It will open with Lee Isaac Chung’s autobiographical drama Minari – following a Korean-American family and starring The Walking Dead actor Steven Yeun – and close with Suzanne Lindon’s debut feature Spring Blossom.
World premieres include Poly Styrene: I Am A Cliche, from the founder of acclaimed punk band X-Ray Spex and co-directed by her daughter Celeste Bell; Luke White’s documentary Handsome; Marly Morrison’s debut feature Sweetheart; and Philippe McKie’s Dreams On Fire.
Festival organisers have also announced two other premieres, including the first UK screening of Tina – a film about Tina Turner – on 5 March.
Meanwhile Kelly Reichardt’s film First Cow, a 19th century drama set in the Pacific north-west and starring John Magaro, Toby Jones, Orion Lee and Ewen Bremner, will also have its UK premiere on 5 March.
“Audiences can look forward to the same high quality of choice as they’d normally expect from GFF," added Gardner, “as well as the opportunity to see the best new, independent films from Scotland and around the world.”
How is Scottish talent being represented?
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Hide AdScottish filmmaker Anthony Baxter’s Eye Of The Storm, which follows painter James Morrison through the last two years of his life, is one of the world premieres at this year’s festival.
The Mauritanian, directed by Kevin Macdonald and based on the best-selling memoir by Mohamedou Ould Slahi, will be given its UK premiere. It tells the story of Slahi (played by Tahar Rahim), who was held for years in Guantanamo Bay and also stars Foster alongside Benedict Cumberbatch.
Another UK premiere feature is Creation Stories – written by Irvine Welsh, starring Ewen Bremner and Jason Isaacs and directed by Nick Moran – which charts the rise of Creation Records founder, Alan McGee.
A film about Sir Alex Ferguson directed by his son is also among the works premiering at the festival this year.
Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In was filmed while the former football manager was recovering from a brain haemorrhage and aware that his memory might desert him, and he and his son Jason will also take part in a question and answer session.
How can I watch the festival?
The festival will take place online only, and runs from 24 February to 7 March.
Last year, record crowds flocked to the Glasgow Film Festival this year, with organisers saying more than 43,000 people attended the 12-day event.
Tickets for the 2021 Glasgow Film Festival are on sale at glasgowfilm.org, with titles available to view between 24 February and 7 March on the festival's own online platform, Glasgow Film At Home.