GYFF THE
YOUNG
ONES
I n 2009, the Glasgow Youth Film Festival started life as part of Glasgow Schools Week. Now, ten editions later, the festival has grown
to occupy a deserved weekend all to itself.
What sets the GYFF apart is that it’s entirely programmed by young people, aged 15–19, who receive mentorship throughout the year to give them the skills to bring a range of international i lms to Glasgow. As part of their remit, they also contribute to the organisation of two free i lm- themed workshops – Alternative Careers in Film and How to Make Your First Film – for fellow young people in the city. For its tenth anniversary, the festival i ttingly falls into the inaugural Year of Young People in Scotland and the programme has benei ted from the YoYP fund because of the integral work it does in celebrating young talent and creativity and providing new opportunities.
Looking back at the festival’s i rst decade, GYFF coordinator Sarah Emery is proud of what they have achieved. ‘Over the years, GYFF has welcomed a number of inspiring guests – including John C Reilly, Kate Dickie and This Is England star Thomas Turgoose – and has screened a number of high-proi le titles including Taika Waititi’s Boy in 2011, The Muppets in 2012, Disney’s Wreck-it Ralph in 3D in 2013, Hayao Miyazaki’s The Wind Rises in 2014 and The Witch in 2016.’
This year’s anniversary lineup will be particularly special. Opening the festival is the Scottish-based zombie musical Anna and the Apocalypse, followed by a Q&A with the cast and crew of the i lm. Another focal point is a special screening the young programmers have been working on which promotes inclusivity at the festival. Emery explains: ‘Working with Glasgow Film Theatre’s public engagement coordinator, Jodie Wilkinson, the team have
curated a special dementia-friendly screening of the Elvis Presley classic, Jailhouse Rock. This screening will take place at the newly opened Seamore Neighbourhood Cinema in Maryhill.’ On the Saturday, the programme is jam-packed with Scottish premieres. Highlights of the day include Sundance London’s hit Never Goin’ Back from director Augustine Frizzell. It features up- and-coming actors Maia Mitchell and Camila Morrone as high school dropouts. Another is the much-anticipated Skate Kitchen, directed by Crystal Moselle, that has been racking up praise from the critics. The drama examines the life of an all-girl skate crew in New York City and stars Jaden Smith. After the i lm, there will be a Q&A with Moselle and some of the cast.
There’s also a special family gala at Blythswood Hall and a family-friendly screening of classic The Mask of Zorro. At the Glasgow Film Theatre, the young programmers have selected a series of short i lms from young people across the world as part of the BFI Film: A Language Without Borders programme. Richard Linklater’s classic School of Rock will close the festival. But that’s not all; after the i lm, there will be a real-life battle of the band’s competition with groups from local schools competing against each other. Paul Bush, director of events for VisitScotland, who support the festival, says: ‘The young programmers have created a brilliant programme of screenings and workshops to mark the festival’s 10th anniversary while gaining valuable hands-on experience in the world of i lm. It is fantastic to see GYFF inspiring young people’s love of i lm and cinema . . . and giving them the opportunity to make their creative ideas come to life.’
Glasgow Youth Film Festival, various venues, Fri 14–Sun 16 Sep, glasgowi lm. org/gyff
Skate Kitchen The Glasgow Youth Film Festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Katharine Gemmell takes a look at what the festival’s teenage programmers have in store for this landmark edition
38 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2018