Glasgow Film Festival 2027 – First Films Announced

Glasgow Film Festival has unveiled the first titles and major programme highlights for its 2027 edition, promising a celebration of international cinema, free screenings of classic films and a special focus on Canadian filmmaking.

Returning from 24 February to 7 March, the festival will present a diverse selection of films from across the world, with Glasgow Film Theatre once again at the heart of the event. A new partnership with Omniplex Cinemas will also expand the festival's presence across Glasgow city centre.

Somebody's Watching – Free Classic Film Screenings

The festival's popular free retrospective returns with Somebody's Watching: Surveillance, Voyeurism and Performance, exploring cinema's fascination with watching and being watched.

Among the confirmed films are Michael Radford's 1984 (1984), Michelangelo Antonioni's Blow-Up (1966) and Richard Linklater's animated science-fiction thriller A Scanner Darkly (2006), starring Keanu Reeves.

The programme also includes Steven Soderbergh's acclaimed independent drama Sex, Lies and Videotape (1989) and Youssef Chahine's Egyptian classic Cairo Station (1958).

All retrospective screenings are free. Tickets cannot be reserved in advance and must be collected from the Glasgow Film Theatre box office on the morning of each screening.

Great Takes – Canadian Cinema

Canada takes centre stage in the festival's 2027 Country Focus, with Great Takes: Canadian Cinema showcasing a selection of emerging filmmakers, distinctive voices and new productions.

Highlights include the UK premiere of Tangles, Leah Nelson's animated drama based on Sarah Leavitt's graphic novel. Exploring the emotional complexities of family and Alzheimer's disease, the film features an impressive voice cast including Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Seth Rogen, Abbi Jacobson, Beanie Feldstein and Sarah Silverman.

Also announced is The Stunt Driver, starring Jay Baruchel as real-life daredevil Ken Carter, whose ambition is to complete an extraordinary rocket-powered car jump across the St. Lawrence River.

Other confirmed titles include the French-Canadian thriller L'autre, combining psychological drama with elements of body horror, and Gloria Mercer's debut crime thriller A Safe Distance, concerning a woman who encounters two notorious fugitives in the wilderness.

Glasgow Film Festival Expands with Omniplex Partnership

For 2027, Glasgow Film Festival is expanding its city-centre footprint through a new partnership with Omniplex Cinemas on Renfrew Street.

The festival will occupy an entire floor of the cinema, with four screens dedicated to festival programming. The move will increase screening capacity and strengthen the festival's connection with Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street cultural district.

New International Co-Production Pitch

The festival's Industry Focus programme, running from 1 to 5 March, will introduce an International Co-Production Pitch designed to connect filmmakers with potential partners and financial backers.

The pilot initiative will welcome eligible feature-film projects from producers in the UK and internationally, offering selected participants the opportunity to present their work to financiers, distributors, sales agents and producers.

A new Co-Production Day will also explore opportunities for international collaboration with Scotland and the wider UK film industry.

The Festival's Vision

Paul Gallagher, Head of Programme for Glasgow Film, explained the thinking behind the retrospective:

“In our current moment we are all increasingly aware of being watched, both with and without our consent, so it feels like a perfect time to ask what cinema has taught us about the perils and pleasures of looking and being looked at.”

Debbie Aitken, Head of Operations for Glasgow Film Festival, highlighted the importance of the new international pitching initiative:

“Our new International Co-Production Pitch pilot is a step towards reaching that ambition by connecting Scotland's screen sector with international partners and helping bold new projects to move forward.”

Glasgow Film Festival 2027 – Key Dates

Festival dates: 24 February – 7 March 2027

Full programme announcement: 20 January 2027

Industry Focus: 1–5 March 2027

Press and industry accreditation: Opens 2 December 2026

The full festival programme and ticket details will be revealed in January.

For further information, visit the official Glasgow Film Festival website .