Taking place prior to the main festival, between the 5th and 15th of February, is the Glasgow Youth Film Festival. Devised by young film fans, it contains a much smaller but equally interesting programme of films and events for both young and universal audiences. Alongside the films are several workshops aimed at aspiring filmmakers, as well as an exciting stage adaptation of the film Belleville Rendez-Vous taking place at the Arches on Saturday 11th.
The festival officially kicks off on Sunday 5th with a now sold-out family gala preview of The Muppets, and closes on the evening of the 15th with the similarly Jim Henson puppet themed Being Elmo, a documentary about the man behind the voice and puppetry of the iconic Sesame Street character. Scattered throughout are UK premieres of exciting films from around the world, and screenings of some youth-related classics like 70s favourite Harold and Maude, showing on Valentine’s Day, and Hayao Miyazaki’s animated masterpiece Princess Mononoke. There’s also a late night Friday showing of Napoleon Dynamite, tickets to which will also grant you free entry into Nice n Sleazy after the film.
One highlight of the line-up is the acclaimed independent feature Terri, an honest portrayal of a high school misfit, which features John C. Reilly in its cast. Another American film worth checking out is The Wise Kids, presented by LBGT Youth Scotland, which features a sympathetic depiction of the conflict between sexuality and religion. Animation-wise, there’s a new film from anime master Makoto Shinkai in the form of Children Who Chase Lost Voices from Deep Below, and two curious French blends of 2D animation and 3D presentation: Tales of the Night and The Rabbi’s Cat. Two praised films at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, Corpo celeste and Play also make an appearance in the line-up, the latter of which is playing for free.
Information on further films showing as part of the festival, including several interesting documentaries, can be found in the GFF brochures and at glasgowfilm.org. Tickets for the Youth Film Festival for those aged 21 or under are just £4 with valid ID.
