Glasgow Film Festival Unveils 2026 Lineup With James McAvoy’s ‘California Schemin’’, Charlie XCX Starrer ‘Erupcja’ & Scottish Pic ‘Molly Vs The Machines’ 

Glasgow Film Festival has unveiled the full lineup for its 22^nd edition this year, which will showcase 16 world, European and international premieres and 68 UK premieres, including the world premiere of Molly Vs The Machines from director Marc Silver. 

That Scottish title follows the tragic story of British teenager Molly Russell, who was driven by social media to take her own life in 2017, and her heartbroken father’s quest to uncover the truth behind her death. The project is being released by Cosmic Cat theatrically in the UK. 

Scottish films will open and close GFF this year including the UK premiere of BAFTA-winner Felipe Bustos Sierra’s documentary Everybody to Kenmure Street, which will open the festival on February 25. The film, which is exec produced by Emma Thompson, is about one of Scotland’s most high-profile acts of civil resistance in recent memory. 

James McAvoy’s directorial debut California Schemin’, based on the improbably true story of two Scottish rappers from Dundee who conned the music industry by pretending to be an established Californian rap duo, will close the festival.

Ten UK premieres from first- and second-time directors will compete for GFF’s annual Audience Award, the festival’s sole competitive strand. Projects include Hailey Gates’ Atropia, James J. Robinson’s First Light and Isabel Hagan’s On A String. 

Films included among the festival’s 16 world, European and International premieres are: Welsh-language film Effi O Blaenau, from director Marc Evans, Sinsin and the Mouse and psychosexual fairy tale Steal Away. 

UK premieres at the festival this year include: Angelina Jolie starrer Couture from director Alice Winocour, Erupcja, featuring Charlie XCX in her first film role, Danny Dyer starrer One Last Deal and Late Fame and The Birthday Party, both of which star Willem Dafoe. 

The life and work of Marilyn Monroe is also set to be celebrated in Glasgow this year, 100 years after the launch of her films Some Like it Hot and The Asphalt Jungle. 

This year’s festival marks Paul Gallagher’s first edition as Head of Program, working alongside Program Manager Chris Kumar and a team of Program Advisors including Sam Fraser, Lauren Clarke, Heather Bradshaw and Neha Apsara. 

Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) will remain the venue at the heart of the event, with screenings also taking place at Odeon Luxe Glasgow Quay as well as special events across the city. 

Glasgow Film Festival takes place February 25 – March 8, 2026. 

GFT 2026 World Premiere & Audience Award Lineup

World Premieres

Bone Keeper (dir. Howard J. Ford)

Bury The Dead (dir. Adam O’Brien)

Deathkeeper (dir. Tristan Barr)

Effi o Blaenau (dir. Marc Evans)

Jailbroken (dir. Vasily Chuprina)

Molly Vs The Machines (dir. Marc Silver)

Red Riding (dir. Craig Conway)

Psalms Of The People (Salim Nan Daoine) (dir. Jack Archer)

Sinsin and the Mouse (dir. Yukinori Makabe)

The Trick (dirs.. Matt Fish & Chris Baker)

Welcome to G-Town (dirs. Ben McQuaid & Nathan McQuaid)

Audience Award

Live A Little (dir. Fanny Ovesen)

Atropia (dir. Hailey Gates)

Bouchra (dirs.. Orian Barki & Meriem Bennani)

First Light (dir. James J. Robinson)

The Last One For The Road (dir. Francesco Sossai)

Nino (dir. Pauline Loques)

On A String (dir. Isabel Hagan)

Rebuilding (dir. Max Walker-Silverman)

A Place For Her (dir. Mélisa Godet)

Pasa Faho (dir. Kalu Oji)