GFF23 collaborates with young Glasgow film fans aged 18 - 25 to help showcase their favourite new films at one of the UK’s largest film festival
The Glasgow-based Young Selectors will also co-curate a series of free industry events for 15 - 25 year olds interested in a career in film
Young Selectors, a panel of 18–25 year-olds with a passion for film, have returned for Glasgow Film Festival 2023. Eight young people, all based in Glasgow, have selected films from the festival programme to spotlight with introductions, discussions, reviews and online content. The Young Selectors have also co-curated a series of industry events for young people as part of the Behind the Scenes programme.
This year’s panel – Andrea, Isobel, Jordan, Julia, Jules, Kiera, Lorna and Simona– have chosen three films to champion, from a broader selection of GFF films: How To Blow Up a Pipeline screening Thursday 2 and Friday 3 March, The Astronaut screening Sunday 5 and Monday 6 March and Something You Said Last Night screening Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 March. These are films that spoke to them as young film audiences, as they explored themes of individualism and what makes a family as well as being unique and entertaining.
On choosing the films, Young Selector Andrea said: 'Each film narrates stories of determined individuals with clear purposes. They are all really encouraging and relatable as all of us are always fighting for either what we root for, for our dreams or our objectives in life’. Young Selector Jules adds: ‘All the films explore different kinds of family whether this be blood or the family you make’.
Young Selector Lorna describes How To Blow Up a Pipeline: 'It’s a unique film in comparison to many other activism films. The films characterisation and dialogue of the many characters show the humanity in all of them. This allows audiences to relate to the characters who otherwise might be perceived as dangerous or controversial’.
Young Selector Julia’s thoughts on The Astronaut: 'A moving story of hope, aspiration and resilience, as well as learning how to let people in and understanding when you need help to achieve your goals. It is a visually spectacular film with a beautiful curiosity and innocence to it, exploring the longing for what is beyond planet earth with an ending that will leave you speechless’.
Something You Said Last Night as described by Jules: ‘A queer family drama, it carries the gentle melancholy of its title through its entire runtime wonderfully’. Julia adds: ‘The film is that perfect summery, nostalgic, dreamy movie for fans of Aftersun and The Florida Project; its complex family dynamics and LGBTQ+ aspects are great for those who love soft dramas; it’s something lovely to spend your evening watching’.
The Young Selectors have also co-curated as series of free industry events as part of the Behind the Scenes programme at GFF, in association with BFI Film Academy. Taking place on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 March at the Glasgow School of Art, these free sessions are designed for 15–25 year-olds interested in pursuing careers in film, or interested in learning more about roles in cinema and production. Costume in film expert Casci Ritchie will be analysing costumes in coming of age films, inspired by the Young Selectors film choice Something You Said Last Night; Kieran Howe from GMAC Film hosts a panel on how to break into the industry; Blazing Griffin producer Lauren Lamarr will talk to aspiring film producers; Mark Leese, production designer on hit TV shows Shetland and The Nest, will share insights into his career and Short Circuit Talent Executive Miriam Newman will be interviewing short film directors about how they get funding, their creative process, and what came after completing production.
All the Behind the Scenes events are free to attend and sign-ups are now open on the GFT Education Eventbrite page. Behind the Scenes is supported by the BFI Film Academy, in partnership with Eden Court Highlands
The 19th annual Glasgow Film Festival will run from 1–12 March at Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) and other venues across the city. GFF is one of the leading film festivals in the UK and run by Glasgow Film, a charity which also runs GFT. GFF is made possible by support from Screen Scotland, the BFI Audience Fund (awarding funds from the National Lottery), Glasgow Life and EventScotland. Tickets to all GFF screenings are on sale now at www.glasgowfilm.org/festival