Here are some of the ways we help new entrants get the most out of GFF and help make our festival a welcoming experience.
Behind the Scenes
Behind the Scenes events are co-curated by young film fanatics from the Glasgow Film Theatre Youth Board and the Glasgow Film Festival Young Selectors in association with BFI Film Academy Labs and delivered by Glasgow Film Theatre Education.
- Workshops, interviews and panel events with a range of Scottish, film industry professionals, all hosted by aspiring filmmakers and programmers
- All events across the 2 days of Behind the Scenes take place at Adelaide Place and admissions are completely free thanks to support from BFI Film Academy Labs
- Events are for those in the early stages of their careers or aspiring to embark on a career in film. Attending Behind the Scenes is an opportunity to network with people with similar aspirations and interests
- GFT Education team provides a range of activities specifically dedicated to those aged 15-25 and interested in a career in film, funded by BFI Film Academy. This includes: Behind the Scenes Labs at Glasgow Youth Film Festival, Inverness Film Festival and Glasgow Film Festival; Online Masterclasses; Free Monthly Youth Screenings; and the Young Scottish Filmmakers Prize
Short Circuit
Short Circuit is a film talent initiative for Scotland delivered by Film City Futures in partnership with Glasgow Film, and supported by Screen Scotland and BFI NETWORK (using funds from the National Lottery). Support for the creative and professional development of new and emerging writers, directors and producers is available in several ways:
- Year round funding initiatives and training opportunities for filmmakers starting out in the industry.
- Year-round programme of free events for our filmmaking audience providing space for professional development, networking and relationship building.
- Dedicated Short Circuit day during Glasgow Film Festival Industry Focus, on Tuesday 7 March packed with events suitable for new entrants to the industry. Panels, case studies, 1-2-1 meetings and networking sessions are tailored for those who are making their way into the industry at any age and stage.
We also provide a number of bursary passes to Industry Focus at Glasgow Film Festival for those who face financial barriers in attending. Please keep an eye on our website and social channels in January for details. Any questions about our Glasgow Film Festival programme can be directed to industry@glasgowfilm.org
Industry Focus
Glasgow Film Festival Industry Focus brings together Film and TV professionals from across the UK, Europe and further afield for four days of panel discussions, workshops, screenings and networking. With a range of topics geared towards all levels and sectors of the industry, our programme provides a platform for professional development and a meeting place to help connect creative and business delegates.
- Networking Coffee Mornings
Networking can be a daunting task for new entrants to the industry. To help our new entrants get used to networking receptions, we will be hosting informal networking coffee mornings each day of the Industry Focus programme on top of our usual evening networking receptions. These coffee mornings will be a great opportunity to meet people before the events of the day begin plus a chance to grab a free coffee and pastry to get the day started!
- New Entrant Programming
In addition to our regular Industry programming, we also offer events curated for New Entrants. These include session about upcoming paid development opportunities, 1-2-1 meetings and workshops. One opportunity we are very excited for is our My SMASH Media collaboration. We will be giving 8 delegates the opportunity to develop their pitching skills and pitch their ideas to a panel of industry experts. More information about this opportunity can be found HERE
- New Talent Mentorship Scheme
The New Talent Mentorship Scheme is for new and emerging professionals working in film, high-end television, or animation, from backgrounds currently unrepresented in the industry. This year, our 8 mentees will be receiving complimentary industry accreditation and we will be supporting them as they navigate the programme at this exciting moment in their career. More about our mentorship scheme can be found HERE
If any new entrants have any questions or reservations about attending Industry Focus for the first time, please get in touch with us and we will be happy to answer any questions.
If you’re interested in attending Industry Focus, check out our accreditation page for more information