Cinetopia Recommends: 11-17 May 2026

Film screenings, events, opportunities and film news for the week / month ahead, covering Edinburgh, Glasgow and beyond! Helping you stay connected to the film community... 🎉

FROM THE EDITORS: Cinephiles! Movie nerds! Here is your lowdown on all things celluloid and fun in the coming week… Join us for two upcoming Cinetopia events: Our DOC screening of Queer As Punk by Yihwen Chen on 13 May, 8.30pm in collaboration with SQIFF, with an intro by artist Kai Khidir Hassan; and our May Cinetopia Film Networking Night on 26 May, 7-10 at Little Picardy Bar! 🎸🙌

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AROUND TOWN

Film screenings & events in Edinburgh and Glasgow 🍿

EDINBURGH

FILM SCREENINGS:

• OUR PICKS FROM THE FILMHOUSE:

  • Funeral Parade of Roses: Part of Lavender Lens, Filmhouse’s queer film strand created in collaboration with the Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive and Programmed with Pride. Selected by the Lavender Lens Queer Community Programming Group to celebrate Trans History Week (4-10 May), Funeral Parade of Roses is a queer re-telling of the Oedipus myth, centred around the adventures of a transgender bar hostess. 12 May, 6pm

  • Queer As Punk + intro & director Q&A (recorded): Cinetopia, in collaboration with Scottish Queer International Film Festival present a special Scottish preview of QUEER AS PUNK ahead of its UK release with T A P E Collective. Faris is a transman and the lead singer of “Shh..Diam!” (meaning “shut up!” in Malay), an openly queer punk band in Malaysia. Together with his bandmates Yon and Yoyo, they use their music to fight for LGBTQI+ rights in a country where conservative Muslim policies and society severely curtail human rights and freedom of expression. 13 May, 8.30pm

    

  • Flowing Stories + discussion: This screening will be followed by a discussion with Dr Fraser Elliot. Flowing Stories is a documentary about changes, migration of Hong Kong people and the unknowability of the future. Following the Lau family and their Hong Kong village neighbours, this documentary spans decades of change and migration. Though many settled in Europe, an ancient festival held every ten years continues to draw them home. 15 May, 5.45pm

  • Wake in Fright (4k restoration): This legendary Australian cult classic, considered a 'lost' film for almost 40 years and now in a new 4K restoration, tells the story of a young school teacher stranded in a brutal outback town. John Grant arrives in the mining town of Bundanyabba, planning to stay overnight before catching the plane to Sydney. But, as his one night stretches to five, he plunges headlong toward his own destruction. From 15 May, multiple screenings. (Also on at The Cameo)

  • Bait (35 mm): Cornish fisherman Martin Ward must deal with his brother Steven, who uses their boat for tourist cruises, and the well-off Londoners who have bought his childhood home. Beautifully shot, Bait balances modern concerns with nostalgia. 16 May, 6.10pm

    

• OUR PICKS FROM THE CAMEO:

  • Relaxed Screening: Rose of Nevada: ‘A Cornish modern classic. Eerie, heart-breaking, wonderful.’ — Mark Kermode When a fishing boat, the Rose of Nevada, lost with all hands 30 years ago, mysteriously reappears in the old harbour of a forgotten Cornish village, for those who remember, it’s surely a sign. The boat must go out to sea again and maybe then the luck of the devastated village will turn. Relaxed screenings are designed to make cinema-going easier for those needing additional support, including neurodivergent audiences and those living with dementia. 11 May, 6.15pm

  • Top Gun (40th anniversary): Code-named ‘Maverick’, Pete Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is an impetuous Navy pilot, newly accepted into Miramar’s elite Fighter School – also known as ‘Top Gun’. There, he and his wingman and best friend Goose (Anthony Edwards) compete with the best of the best, under the eye of a beguiling civilian instructor (Kelly McGillis), whilst also contending with the mysterious circumstances surrounding his veteran father’s death.

    13 May, 8pm

  • Haseeb Iqbal Presents: Vin Gordon + Q&A: In an old stone village on the outskirts of Paris lives one of the most prolific reggae musicians in the history of Jamaica. Vin Gordon, the 75-year-old reggae titan, chooses to live an unassuming life. He spends his days walking in nature and teaching the trombone to young students, a world away from the hustle and energy of Jonestown in Kingston, Jamaica, where he made his name as one of the most impactful brass musicians to ever hail from the island. 14 May, 8.30pm

    

  • Edinburgh Shorts Showcase: The 48 Hour Film Project and Screen Education Edinburgh present an evening of short films showcasing the best in local filmmaking talent. The screening will be followed by a Q & A with the filmmakers and networking after. This screening will be captioned with live BSL Interpretation for the Q & A. 14 May, 8pm

  • DJ Ahmet: Ahmet, a 15-year-old boy from a remote Yuruk village in North Macedonia, finds refuge in music while navigating his father’s expectations, a conservative community, and his first experience with love — a girl already promised to someone else. 17 May, 5.30pm

AROUND TOWN:

• VCR TRASH: Vampire Motorcycle and Death Race 2000: An automotive double-bill this time, starting with Dirk Campbell's 1990 British effort I Bought A Vampire Motorcycle, starring Neil Morrissey off of Men Behaving Badly and Anthony Daniels off of the Star Wars. Followed by 1975's Death Race 2000. David Carradine and Sylvester Stallone star as racers in a transcontinental road race where you get points for killing pedestrians. It's produced by Roger Corman. What more could you want? THE BANSHEE LABYRINTH | 12 May, 7.30pm

• Bon Voyage, Marie / On ira (2025): An unexpected road trip brings a dysfunctional family together for one last journey with their elder, sparking moments of connection, joy, and reconciliation. THE FRENCH INSTITUTE | 13 May, 6pm

• RESONATING MOVING IMAGES: Peru and Scotland through mining films
  A Peruvian-Scottish Cinema encounter focusing on the intertwined themes of mining, rurality and resilience through public screenings, scholar talks, and mediation workshops, aiming to foster an intercultural dialogue on extractivism. ECA | 14 May, 4pm

• It was just an accident (2025): The French Film Festival UK and Institut français d’Ecosse invite you to celebrate the 2026 Festival de Cannes (12–23 May 2026) with a special screening of 2025 winner of the Palme d’Or : It was just an accident by Jafar Panahi. A co-production between Iran, France and Luxembourg, the film follows a group of former Iranian political prisoners who face the question of whether to exact revenge on a man they believe may be their tormentor. FRENCH INSTITUTE | 15 May, 5pm

  

• Mining Cinema: Who Pays The Cost? Screening + Q&A: This screening and Q&A is presented in collaboration with CinemaAttic, as part of Resonating Moving Images, a Peruvian-Scottish initiative organised by Verónica Zela, Sara Guerrero and Ximena Oñate. The programme explores mining and resilience through public screenings, scholar talks, and workshops. Supported by the University of Edinburgh’s Student Experience Grant. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Ernesto Cabellos and Peruvian anthropologist Sandra Rodríguez. ECVS | 16 May, 7pm

• The Heiress (1949): Olivia de Havilland delivers a powerhouse performance in this classic Hollywood melodrama. GRASSMARKET COMMUNITY PICTURE HOUSE | 13 May, 7pm

• Film Screening: Ghost in the Machine (2026): Join us for an in-person screening of Valerie Veatch’s documentary Ghost in the Machine followed by discussion about the politics of AI, with AI Ethics & Society, Hype Studies, Stirling Business School, and the Edinburgh Department of Philosophy in partnership with Valerie Veatch. NEWHAVEN LECTURE THEATRE | 14 May, 3pm

  

EVENTS:

• Dick Lee presents Music in Film: Music fans and cinephiles are invited to step behind the Music fans and cinephiles are invited to step behind the silver screen this May as celebrated composer and multi-instrumentalist Dick Lee launches a new six-week series of illustrated talks, Music in Film. VALVONA & CROLLA / starts on 6 May, 4pm for 6 weeks

• Film Club - The Duellists (1977): The Edinburgh ‘Like A Book Group But With Films’ Group meets every other Thursday to chat films and TV! It’s a brilliant group, come along! Film Club - The Duellists. Watch the film in your own time and join us for a chat on the night. BENNETT’S BAR | 14 May, 7.30pm

• BOOK AHEAD: Cinetopia Film Networking - May: Join us for our May film networking night ! 🙌 Meet and connect with fellow film industry folks over informal drinks and chats, whether you’re a seasoned pro, or just starting out in the film industry and keen to learn more. We’re back at the lovely Little Picardy bar! Coming on your own? Don’t worry! One of our team will be here to welcome you and make sure you meet people. We promise a chill, friendly, fun atmosphere.

  Little Picardy are offering 10% off food and drink for Cinetopia networkers.

  This event is free to attend, please RSVP - it helps us track numbers! LITTLE PICARDY BAR | 26 May, 7-10pm

  

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GLASGOW

FILM SCREENINGS:

• OUR PICKS FROM GFT:

  • Access Film Club - ARCO: Access Film Club is a screening and post-film discussion in a friendly and welcoming environment.  Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film. A 10-year-old boy from a peaceful, distant future accidentally travels back to the year 2075 and discovers a world in peril. As Arco develops a friendship with a young girl named Iris, they band together and, along with her trusted robot caretaker Mikki, set out on a quest to get Arco home. 11 May, 6pm

  • Visible Cinema: Past Lives + Solar Reels Shorts: Join us for Visible Cinema: Past Lives + Solar Reels Shorts, hosted by Solar Bear Film & Screen Lead Officer, Klarissa Webster. We will watch the Solar Reels 2025 film school shorts. The filmmakers will discuss taking part in the film school and the themes of their films in relation to the feature film they have chosen, Past Lives. Solar Reels was developed to address the lack of opportunities for the deaf community to build careers in film and television – a gap reflected in the limited representation of deaf talent both in front of and behind the camera. 12 May, 5.45pm

  • How Tanita Tikaram Became A Liar + Q&A: How Tanita Tikaram Became a Liar is an anti-documentary directed by filmmaker Natacha Horn, who is also Tikaram’s wife. Revealing the maverick music icon as never before, Tikaram delivers, in her own words, a raw, political, and personal account of life as a brown, queer woman growing up in the UK—echoing the themes of her new album LIAR (Love Isn’t A Right), the sequel to her multi-million selling debut Ancient Heart. This screening will be followed by a Q&A with Tanita and director Natacha Horn. 14 May, 8.40pm

  • The English Patient (35 mm): The sweeping expanses of the Sahara are the setting for a passionate love affair in this adaptation of Michael Ondaatje's novel. A badly burned man, Laszlo de Almasy (Ralph Fiennes), is tended to by a nurse, Hana (Juliette Binoche), in an Italian monastery near the end of the Second World War. His past is revealed through flashbacks involving a married Englishwoman (Kristin Scott Thomas) and his work mapping the African landscape. Hana learns to heal her own scars as she helps the dying man. 17 May, 3.30pm
    

AROUND TOWN:

• MIRRORED MIND (2005) - DV8 Film Club: Come join us for Gakuryū Ishii’s unforgettable, hypnotic MIRRORED MIND, preceded by the short film OFFRUNG by Charlie Mitchell. MIRRORED MIND is the third film shown by the DV8 Film Club, a new film club in Glasgow showcasing the best of miniDV and Digital Video. OLD HAIRDRESSER’S | 14 May, 7pm

• People’s Emergency Briefing Film Screening: Free screening of People's Emergency Briefing + panel with University academics as part of Glasgow's Climate Week. A 45‑minute documentary that presents the latest evidence on climate and nature breakdown in the UK and what it means for everyday life from extreme weather and food security to health and the cost of living. The screening will be followed by a facilitated panel discussion with academics from the University and invited community partners. STRATH GREEN OFFICE | 12 May, 2pm

• German Cinema: Amrum by Fatih Akin: Amrum Island, spring 1945: a childhood at the end of the Second World War. In the waning days of WWII, 12-year-old Nanning fearlessly braves the treacherous seas for seal hunting, goes fishing at night, and tirelessly tends to the fields at the nearby Bendixen farm to help his mother feed the family. With his father absent, Nanning relies on his unwavering friendship with Hermann for support in times of need. Yet, as the long-awaited peace descends, unforeseen challenges emerge, compelling Nanning to chart his own course through the turbulent waters of post-war life. GOETHE INSTITUT | 13 May, 6pm

  

• Hambre: Film Screening: In crisis-stricken Venezuela two former schoolmates in their twenties are brought together by their moral and existential doubts. Roberto, a rigid idealist working for the ministry of transportation, and Selina, a careless expatriate brat, working illegally. When Roberto receives what seems a tremendous job opportunity abroad and Selina gets trapped in Venezuela during her Christmas holiday they face a difficult question: will they stay behind to rebuild their homeland or face the uncertainties of an immigrant life? UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW, ADAM SMITH BUILDING | 13 May, 6pm

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FURTHER AFIELD AND FURTHER AHEAD

Film-related treats happening around the rest of Scotland and UK!

• MONTROSE: People’s Emergency Briefing - LandxSea Monthly: What’s happening with climate and nature, and what does it mean for everyday life in the UK? This eye-opening new film brings together leading UK scientists and experts to share the latest evidence, and why it matters, from extreme weather and food security to health and the cost of living. After the screening, stay for an open community conversation facilitated by LandxSea co-founder Rachel Caplan, Angus Climate Hub coordinator Kate Munro and Sea Change artist Eve Mosher. MONTROSE PLAYHOUSE - 14 May, 7.30pm

• UK-Wide - QUEER AS PUNK ON TOUR: Faris is a transman and lead singer of ‘Shh..Diam!’, an openly queer punk band in Malaysia. Together with his bandmates Yon and Yoyo, they use their music to fight for LGBTQI+ rights in a country where human rights and freedom of expression is severely curtailed by a conservative Muslim society. T A P E Collective are screening the film across the UK - 15 May onwards

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OPPORTUNITIES

JOBS / WORK OPPORTUNITIES COMING UP:

• Glasgow Film Trustee: Glasgow Film is looking for new Trustees to support the Executive and Board at this pivotal moment for Glasgow Film. Glasgow Film is also gearing up to launch a major capital fundraising campaign. Apply by 31 May.

• Festival Marketing Coordinator (Partnerships) - London Film Festival: Salary: £33,477 per annum | 6 July to 30 October 2026 Apply by 11 May

• Commercial Development Manager - Leicester Phoenix Cinema: Salary: £33,000 (£40,700 FTE), They are seeking someone with proven experience and a successful track record of leading commercial development in an organisation with a multi-faceted offering. Phoenix aim to grow its Food and Beverage operation into a highly popular and profitable business with turnover exceeding £1M by the end of 2027/28. Apply by 21 May

• Head of Department – Costume Design for Film and Television (MFA): Salary: Salary in the region of £65,000 per annum, depending on experience. Shape a new department at a school as it enters its most exciting chapter. Backed by £10 million in government funding and a growing community of world-class supporters, the NFTS is expanding its campus, increasing student capacity by 25%, and launching new courses in costume design, hair and make-up, virtual production and advanced animation. Apply by 17 May

• Communications Officer - Screen Education Edinburgh: Salary: £30,000, Full time role. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Communications Officer to play an key role in delivering on our ambitions, defining the voice of a beloved and important institution, building new audiences amongst underrepresented people, and growing and strengthening our communications through compelling storytelling across socials, web, newsletter, and video archive, including YouTube. The successful candidate will have a strong record of planning and executing communications content across the various forms, using their expertise, learnings and insights, and data and analytics to meet audience development and growth goals. Apply by 24 May

• Facilities Coordinator - Screen Education Edinburgh: Salary £25,200 pro rata, Full Time role. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a new Facilities Coordinator to play a central role in ensuring the smooth and effective operation of SEE’s facilities, supporting the delivery of our mission. This dynamic, hands-on role will work at the heart of a busy filmmaking and learning environment, overseeing a wide range of filmmaking, IT, and office equipment, as well as our learning, shooting, and office spaces. Apply by 24 May

• Sheffield Doc Fest Volunteers: Salary: Volunteer, with up to £8 per shift to cover food and travel expenses. Volunteers will be asked to commit to a minimum of two shifts. The duration of shifts varies by role, with the longest shifts lasting up to 7 hours, so please read the descriptions carefully. Apply by 24 May

• Film Teacher: ISSOS international - Lead your class of international students through a range of classes and hands-on training in all aspects of film production. Students are aged 13 - 18 and each group will be with you for 3 weeks. Apply by 31 May

• PhD Film Research Participation - Interviews: I am looking for American, British and Czech participants for an interview in a PhD film research.
  What’s involved?

  - questions about your film experiences, feelings, and reflections
  - watching 2 pre-selected films (Lady Bird, 2017; Identity Card, 2010; access provided)
  - 0.5-1 hour one-to-one interview at a time suitable for you
  - 1 hour informal in person focus group on the morning of 1st May (optional)
  Register here to find out more. Submitted by Kat Zabecka

• London Film Festival Design Studio Lead: Salary: £35,640 per annum, Fixed Term Contract: 6 June to 30 October 2026. Apply by 14 May

• Marketing Manager - Phoenix Cinema, Leicester - Salary: £35,000, the Marketing Manager has overall responsibility for marketing, press, and PR activities, and for the Phoenix brand, working across their entire cultural and commercial offer. Apply by 14 May

• Equipment Share @ The Film Cult: The Film Cult Equipment Share project provides professional grade filmmaking equipment to hundreds of indie projects each year. We are a volunteer run project, which allows us to provide kit for our community for a couple of quid per item!
  
  Benefits of volunteering for this project:
  • Learn & get familiar with professional film equipment
  • Meet and chat to local indie filmmakers and see what they are getting up to
  • Learn maintenance, PAT testing, and electrical safety
  • 50% solidarity discount on your own projects
  • Support the continuation of the project!

CALL FOR ENTRIES:

• 16th Edinburgh Short Film Festival OPEN CALL: 16th Edinburgh Short Film Festival Open For Entries - International Showcases & Awards. The 16th edition of the ESFF, with more short film screenings in Edinburgh, International Film Festival showcases, workshops and masterclasses, awards and industry networking.
  We're also programming showcases of our best films for our international film festival partners across Europe. Max Length 25 minutes, international films welcomed, all genres eligible. Regular deadline, 15 May / Late deadline 19 June

• Women Over 50 Film Festival 2026 - Short films (fiction, documentary, animation, experimental) and scripts that feature a woman over 50 in a central role or have a woman over 50 in a key creative role (director, writer, producer). Deadline 22 June

FUNDING:

• Creative Scotland Crowdmatch Fund: Creative Scotland is offering match funding of up to £10,000 for Scotland-based artists, creators and cultural innovators who are raising funds for eligible artistic and creative projects. Apply by 30 September

COURSES & WORKSHOPS:

• Animation Academy: Animation Academy is an online course for 16 – 25 year olds across Scotland! Ideal for young people interested in animation, visual storytelling or curious about a career in the film industry. Animation Academy is an online course for 16 – 25 year olds across Scotland! Are you interested in animation, visual storytelling or curious about a career in the film industry? Work together to watch, experiment and create animation. Apply by 11 September

• Film-making with Alasdair Satchel: Online Film-making Course for adults: Over the course of 6 weekly sessions you will learn how to make films that connect with their audience and allow your voice to be heard. Online 6 week course for adults. Tuesday evenings 7.30 – 9.30pm 26th May – 30th June. Apply by 26 May

• Training Opportunity in Animation Production: With our upcoming animated short we want to offer a training opportunity for someone who would like to move into or gain experience in animation production. You will work closely with the Animation Producer to learn and help manage the production of the animated short film. Some of the training will be in the form of 1:1 sessions and some will be in the form of production and creative catch up with the team. Apply by 17 May

• Certificate in Script Development for Film and TV: Designed to build the core skills needed to support scripted Film and TV projects through the development process. Apply by 22 June

• Story for Pitch Decks - Story for Pitch Decks is a two-day live, online training course for writers with a script or documentary idea looking to deliver a memorable, professional industry pitch for their story. Deadline, 5 June - multiple locations

• Raindance Scotland Dynamic Screenwriting weekend - Master the art of the script. From three-act structure and dynamic character arcs to visual storytelling and engaging dialogue, learn to turn your cinematic ideas into a polished story. 13 + 14 June, 2026. Apply by 13 June.

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NEWS:

Film stories, productions, news, reports, industry insights, and other tidbits that have caught our attention this week!

• Edinburgh International Film Festival 2026 to open with International Premiere of Louis Paxton’s debut feature The Incomer

• Short Film programme Take Three confirmed for second year

• Guillermo del Toro pledges a third of his personal archive to the BFI

• April sees 2% increase at UK-Ireland box office year-on-year

Film Festivals currently running / coming up:

• Docs Barcelona / 7-17 May / Barcelona, Spain

• Cannes Film Festival / 12-23 May / Cannes, France

• SWSX London / 1-6 June / London

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