About Us

GFT has been leading the way in specialised cinema for 50 years. Our three screens show 100% specialised titles, first run world and independent cinema, artists’ experimental work, issue based programmes, thematic seasons, repertory programmes, Scottish produced work, festivals, and a programme of event cinema and live broadcast.
We provide an independent film programme for diverse audiences, including specific family, youth and equalities focused initiatives.

We work with lots of different programming partners throughout the year including: Invisible Women & Femspectives, London Film Festival, CRER (Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights), UK Green Film Festival, Take One Action, Scotland Loves Anime, We Are Parable, London Korean Film Festival, Play Poland and Glasgow Short Film Festival.
GFT opened as a single screen cinema over 40 years ago and has now become Scotland’s best attended independent cinema as well as a leading film education charity.

Our vision for Glasgow Film is an inclusive, collaborative space where audiences and communities can nurture their passion for cinema and film, and be empowered through participation in our programmes. Everyone is welcome and everyone is included. This is ‘Cinema For All’.

Our mission is to provide 'Cinema For All'. We exist to celebrate the magic of film and nurture excellent independent cinema from across the globe. To do this we provide high-quality programmes of curated screenings, festivals, events and industry opportunities; we empower our communities to participate through education and outreach initiatives; and we develop sector leading equalities initiatives to ensure cinema is accessible, safe and welcoming for the widest possible audience.

Our values are: Community, Authenticity, Sustainability

GFT (Glasgow Film Theatre), Glasgow’s year-round centre for film-lovers.

Glasgow Film Festival (GFF), the launching pad for the best of international and Scottish cinema, and the UK's second-largest film festival.
Glasgow Youth Film Festival (GYFF), one of the most innovative youth film festivals in Europe.
Learning and Youth Opportunities, providing children, young people and teachers with the tools and opportunities to get involved in Glasgow’s film culture.
Community Engagement and Equalities, providing an independent film programme for diverse audiences.
Film Hub Scotland, supporting a network of more than 250 film exhibitors serving Scotland's diverse population.

Glasgow Film has a proud history of diverse programming, community-driven partnerships, and developing sector-leading equalities initiatives. We believe that everyone has the right to freely participate in the cultural life of the community, and to enjoy the arts and its benefits. Read more about our Community Engagement initiatives, accessible screenings, and our Anti-Racism and Equalities pledge here. Information on venue accessibility can be found here and ticket offers here.

You can read our Statement in Support of Black Lives Matter and our most recent update on this work from May 2023.

We have a Code of Conduct and Safer Spaces policy for anyone engaging with us online or in person.

Glasgow Film is committed to the Scottish Government’s Fair Work First policy and advancing the Fair Work First criteria, including paying the real Living Wage and ensuring Effective Voice conditions.

Glasgow Film Theatre Limited is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status.

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History of GFT

Our story is one of pioneers and idealism:

In 1929, the first film association in Scotland, and the first outside London, The Film Society of Glasgow, was founded with the assistance of Charles Oakley.
The UK’s first purpose built art-house cinema outside London, the Cosmo in Glasgow’s Rose Street, opened in 1939 (again with Oakley’s involvement), with an introduction by pioneering documentary filmmaker John Grierson. Grierson said he believed it would contribute not just to cultural vigour, but also the city’s democratic and social life, presenting cinema as an instrument of observation and enlightenment as well as a form of art and entertainment. Run with dedication and passion by the Singleton family, by the early 1970’s due to a fall in cinema admissions in the UK, its future was uncertain. At this point the Scottish Film Council (predecessor body of Scottish Screen and then Creative Scotland) was looking for a home for Scotland’s first ‘Regional Film Theatre’ and on 2 May 1974 the Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) opened its doors. Grierson was right, this cinema has remained a treasured institution.
Since those early days the organisation has changed and evolved but the original sense of being at the cutting edge has remained central to our DNA. What began as a single screen cinema has grown to a three screen complex offering screenings, lectures, discussions, festivals, workshops, industry support and the chance to see films and meet filmmakers from Scotland and around the world.