Glasgow Film Theatre announces screenings

THE Glasgow Film Theatre has announced a full programme of special screenings to celebrate two milestone anniversaries.

The iconic picture house first opened its door as the Cosmo in May 1939, 85 years ago, and became the GFT on May 2, 1974, 50 years ago.

In addition, 2024 marked the 20th anniversary of the Glasgow Film Festival which took place earlier this month.

A huge programme of events has been announced for May to celebrate, including a special screening of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey on ‘ unrestored’ 70mm celluloid, created by Christopher Nolan.

Sunday, May 26, will see backtoback screenings of sci- fi classics Solaris and Blade Runner, and there will also be a twist on the long- running ‘ Scorsese of the Month’.

To mark GFT’s anniversary year, a special edition for May will feature a Scorsese on Scorsese – In Conversation event with Ian Christie. As editor of the seminal book, Scorsese on Scorsese, Professor Christie will discuss his many interviews and on- set experiences with Martin Scorsese and offer his insights on the director’s unique place in American cinema.

The anniversary programme will begin with Roma Federico Fellini’s ode to the Italian capital which was the first film to screen at GFT on the day it opened in 1974.

May will also see the launch of Glasgow Film’s ‘£ 50 for 50’ campaign, where supporters can take part in celebrating 50 years of GFT by donating £ 50. People making donations will become part of GFT’s cinematic history and help shape the next 50 years of independent film. In return, donors will be invited to a special screening and have their support recognised on screen.

Wong Kar- Wai’s romantic, political and heartbreaking film In the Mood for Love will return for two 4K screenings, along with Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund’s Brazilian crime story City of God. One of the world’s 25 Best Films as rated on the IMDb To 250, it has recently been remastered for its 21st anniversary and will return to GFT for a special screening.

Paul Gallagher, GFT Programme Manager, said: “My hope is that this celebratory programme goes some way to capturing the essence of what makes watching a film at GFT so special, and we invite everyone to come and be a part of the anniversary celebrations and help us ensure GFT continues for many years to come.”

Tickets for the anniversary programme of films go on sale at 12pm on April 3 from glasgowfilm. org and the GFT Box Office.