Glasgow Film Festival 2014

Now that we’ve had the Glasgow Youth Film Festival and the brilliant Glasgow Short Film Festival (congratulations to the winners) we’re all set for the longer Glasgow Film Festival which starts this Thursday and is full of great documentary goings-on.

Firstly, there’s the opportunity to have a drink on us at the CCA Terrace Bar on Sauchiehall Street on Sunday the 23rd. The Scottish Documentary Institute will be toasting to the 10th anniversary of this amazing festival. If you’d like to come long please RSVP here.

Here are some great documentary films and events:

• The feature documentary Who is Dayani Cristal has been receiving some great press. Director Marc Silver and actor/producer Gael García Bernal investigate immigration from Latin America across the southern US border in a unique hybrid documentary style.
• Director Jessica Oreck is also doing a masterclass for the Scottish Documentary Institute at the Edinburgh College of Art on Thursday and will be screening her film Aatsinki: The Story of Arctic Cowboys on Friday and Saturday at the GFT.
• Another masterclass that may be of interest, with French designer Agnes B, is happening on Tuesday the 25th at the GFT.
• For those of you interested in a bit of magic, GFF has managed to get legendary magician Ricky Jay to come over for the showing of Deceptive Practice: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay on Sunday 23rd and Monday 24th. Director Molly Bernstein will also be present for a Q&A after the screening. Trailer below:

• Looking for the Light: Jane Bown, a documentary about celebrated photographer Jane Bown, will be shown twice, one screening accompanied by a Q&A with Director Michael Whyte.
• Then, winner of the top prize at the prestigious CPH: DOX festival in Copenhagen, Bloody Beans, described as Lord of the Flies meets The Battle of Algiers is playing on the 23rd and 25th.
• French documentary Au bord du monde (On the Edge of the World) looks to be an absolutely stunning insight into the world of the homeless in Paris after dark.
• Also, make sure not to miss the world premiere of media co-op’s feature documentary The Bridge Rising, the inside story of the Skye Bridge toll protest.
• A special mention goes to other documentaries from our home soil such as Documenting John Grierson, exploring the acclaimed ‘father of the documentary’ himself.
• Iboga Nights from Glasgow-based filmmaker David Graham Scott looks at psychedelic plant root iboga which has been hailed as a “quick fix route to painless withdrawal”
• Everybody’s Child from our friends at Aconite Productions sees first-time director and recovering heroin addict Garry Fraser face his past and the damage done by a life of crime and drugs.
• There are also two documentaries in the Gala strand: 20 Feet From Stardom is one of the current crop of Oscar nominees for Best Documentary, and then there’s the UK premiere of Beyond the Edge 3D which looks really interesting.

With such a rich selection of documentaries, not to mention all the fantastic-looking events and fiction work on offer, you should have no trouble finding something to keep you entertained till the end of the month. Even if you’re short on money, there’s a whole host of free events to attend. Take a look here at the list of festival club events.

We look forward to seeing you all there!