Stars head for city as film festival to feature 144 premieres

AUDIENCES can choose from more than 300 events and screenings at this year’s Glasgow Film Festival, including some “absolutely brilliant experiences”, organisers have said.

The programme features 310 delights, and will showcase more than 180 films from 38 countries.

David Tennant and Star Wars actor Michael Smiley are among the stars set to attend the 13th annual festival, from February 15-26. It will feature nine world and international premieres, three European premieres, 65 UK premieres and 67 Scottish premieres – 144 in all.

The festival will open with a screening of Handsome Devil, starring Sherlock actor Andrew Scott, while Tennant will close the event with the world premiere of his latest movie Mad To Be Normal, about a pioneering Scottish psychiatrist. Also starring Michael Gambon, Elisabeth Moss and Gabriel Byrne, the movie depicts the life of RD Laing.

Tennant will attend the closing gala at the theatre on February 26 with director Robert Mullan and other cast.

On February 22, the festival will stage the world premiere of Benny, the story of Benny Lynch – widely considered as Scotland’s greatest boxer.

Terrence Malick’s “visually astonishing” Voyage Of Time: Life’s Journey, narrated by Cate Blanchett, is among the films receiving their UK premieres.

The festival will also cater for music fans, with the sold-out screening of Lost In France at Sauchiehall Street’s O2 ABC featuring a live performance from stars including Alex Kapranos and Stuart Braithwaite.

Festival co-director Allan Hunter said: “I am thrilled the festival is bringing so many UK premieres to Glasgow audiences.”

As well as enjoying screenings at the GFT, the CCA, Cineworld and the Grosvenor, audiences can also savour films at pop-up cinemas everywhere.

Tickets go on sale to Glasgow Film Festival members at noon today and ongeneralsaleat10amon Monday.