Cinetopia: Recommends, 26 May-1 June 🍿
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... 🎉
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AROUND TOWN
Film screenings & events in Edinburgh and Glasgow 🍿
EDINBURGH
FILM SCREENINGS:
Latin Connections Film Festival - El cine soy yo (The Moving Picture Man) | El Cine Soy Yo, also known also as The Moving Picture Man is a Venezuelan/French film released in 1977, directed by the prolific film director and writer Luis Armando Roche (1938 - 2021) with Juliet Berto, Asdrúbal Meléndez and Alvaro Roche. It is one of the most representative films of Venezuelan cinema and a celebration of the power of cinema in the most unimaginable circumstances. | Grassmarket Community Picture House | 28 May, 7pm
Daughter of the Volcano + Director Q&A | When 23,000 people died after the eruption of Nevado del Ruiz in Colombia, Jenifer was only one week old. She survived and was adopted in Spain. 30 years later, she decides to reveal the truth about her origins, hidden under the institutional mud of the tragedy. This screening is presented in collaboration between CinemaAttic and the Ixchel project as part of the Latin Connections Film Festival, and will feature an introduction by Charlotte Gleghorn (University of Edinburgh), Ixchel Project team member. Director Jenifer de la Rosa Martin will also join us after the film for a Q&A. | The Cameo | 29 May, 8pm
The Room + Greg Sestero Q&A | Join us for a special evening with Mark himself, Greg Sestero – star of THE ROOM and the New York Times best-selling author of the Oscar-nominated THE DISASTER ARTIST! The evening will include a special screening of THE ROOM featuring live Q&A with Greg! Also, a chance to join Greg on stage for a live script reading. You’ll find yourself saying “What a story Mark!” time and time again, as he’s not keeping any of his stupid comments in his pocket on this night. Plus a meet-and-greet with Greg…and maybe even a bonus surprise or two?! | The Cameo | 29 May, 8pm
A Good Jewish Boy / Le dernier des Juifs | Following Bellisha, a Jewish man who lives with his mother, Giselle. The suburb where they live has seen the synagogue shut down, and now the last remaining Kosher grocery story is closing. They are officially the last Jews living there. | French Institute | 28 May, 2pm
Relaxed Screening: The Philadephia Story | Tracy Samantha Lord is the daughter of a wealthy family and about to marry for the second time. On the eve of her wedding, ex-husband appears, with a tabloid reporter by his side in an attempt to kill a character-damning news-story of her father. This evolves into a love triangle (or square) and Tracy is forced to take an unflinching look at herself to realise who she truly loves.
Relaxed screenings are designed to make cinema-going easier for those needing additional support, including neurodivergent audiences and those living with dementia. | The Cameo | 30 May, 11.30am
Craft Club Cinema! The Phoenician Scheme | Join us for a special crafting screening of The Phoenician Scheme, where you're free to practice your crafts and share the cinema experience with your fellow guests. Lights will be left on throughout the show so that you can craft in comfort. Just please don't bring crafts, such as paints, that may cause damage.
The inimitable Wes Anderson returns with The Phoenician Scheme, a story of a family – and a family business. | The Cameo | 31 May, 11am
Tummy Monster is back by popular demand | Following the sold-out launch earlier this May, there’s another rare chance to catch this truely independent chaotic-chamber-piece of bold and bizarre new Scottish filmmaking while you can. Submit yourself to the vape-drenched darkly comic tale of psychological torment and tattooing that is Tummy Monster | GFT | From 30 May
Listen to Cinetopia’s interview with Tummy Monster’s writer/director Ciaran Lyons on our Cinetopia Radio Show!
INTO THE VOID: COLLECTIVE DREAMS IN BRAZILIAN CONTEMPORARY CINEMA | This programme showcases a selection of contemporary Brazilian short films that reflect the country’s rich filmmaking talent and its political (and poetic) resistance, particularly during the years of the Bolsonaro presidency. These films, awarded at prestigious festivals like Locarno, Berlinale, and Cannes, delve into powerful themes of physicality, nature, transformation, and exploitation. Drinks will be available for purchase from the bar as well as food from Sabor Al Toque. Submitted by Cinemaattic | St Peter’s Church Hall | 31 May, 7.30pm
BOOK AHEAD: Reclaim the Frame presents Lollipop + Director Q&A | Molly, a young woman released from prison struggles to regain custody of her children. When she bumps into her childhood friend Amina the two women soon realize their only chance is to join forces and take destiny into their own hands.
The Edinburgh event on 2 June will feature a conversation with director Daisy-May Hudson, moderated by Reclaim The Frame Impact Producer, Eilidh Akilade -Submitted by Reclaim the Frame
EVENTS:
creative soundLAB: CLANIMATION ANIMATION COLLABORATION | opera.agency is delighted to be collaborating with 'Clanimation' for our May creative soundLAB event: our regular music networking and showcase event connecting super-talented, experienced music creators, music producers, composers and sound designers with multimedia industries and creative sectors. Thrilled to have the Clanimation team along to answer any questions regarding the Scottish animation industry. | Edinburgh Napier University, Bright Red Triangle Startup Studio | 26 May, 6pm
Re-Shooting Artist Hui-Yu Su (蘇匯宇) - Spotlight Taiwan Lecture at Edinburgh Futures Institute | In recent years, Hui-Yu Su has employed the approach of “Re-shooting” as a method and a metaphor to create new works. This method includes shooting new films based on old films, events, specific art pieces, or even a book. The concept allows the artist to review and reflect on history, even to go further - open “the narrative”. Through this method, Su revisits past, unfinished, tabooed, and misunderstood figures and things. In this talk, Su will present how he uses his own way to achieve new revelations and unveils active historical viewpoints, addressing the connection between mass media, pop culture, memories of martial law, collectivism, nationalism, high-tech supply chain, and the post-colonial history of Taiwan and East Asia. | Edinburgh Futures Institute | 29 May, 2.15pm
ECA Graduate Showcase Film and TV Screening | Edinburgh College of Art is pleased to present the Film and TV Graduate Students Screening. Join us for an exclusive preview of the graduating students' final projects on the big screen. | Everyman Edinburgh | 28 May, 5pm
Cinetopia Film Networking Night - May - Pop along to our next film networking mixer for some spring vibes, good conversation, and maybe meet your next film project partner?! 👀 Welcoming, friendly, informal - free to attend but PLEASE rsvp at the link! | The Blackbird | 29 May, 7pm
BOOK AHEAD: Porty Pride Film Night in partnership with SQIFF | The 2025 programme will feature specially selected LGBTQIA+ short films including…(Untitled) 2025 Directed by Campbell X; Twenty Something Directed by João Nunes (2024); Hot Young Geek Seeks Blood Sucking Freak Directed by Heath Virgoe (2024); With more films to be announced…
This will be a ticketed event (£5, £10, £15), Doors open 7pm with a 10pm finish
Film ratings 18+ rating, The Portobello Tap will be serving non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks | Portobello Town Hall | 6 June, 7pm
BOOK AHEAD: Observer Pass: Edinburgh Pitch 2025 | The Edinburgh Pitch is Scotland’s only public pitching forum. The event is aimed at international independent filmmakers and production companies raising finance for ambitious and urgent feature documentaries in late development, production or post-production. This flagship event brings together key industry decision-makers and emerging talent for a day of live pitches, networking, and discovery. OBSERVER PASSES NOW AVAILABLE | Symposium Hall | 17 June, 9.45 am
GLASGOW
FILM SCREENINGS:
Smiles and Frowns | Contemplative and soft-footed, Smiles and Frowns drifts through an evening among friends. Populated by unspoken tensions, glasses of wine and shared glances, the film plays out in a tenement flat in the East End of Glasgow. A new short directed and edited by Joe Miles, set to an unadorned piano soundtrack by Tom Rogers. | GMAC Trongate | 26 May, 4pm
Andreas Kleinert: Dear Thomas | Author and filmmaker Thomas Brasch was a key intellectual voice in post-war Germany. Shot in black and white, Andreas Kleinert’s powerful biopic featuring a tour-de-force performance from Albrecht Schuch distills Brasch’s divided life between East and West into real and imaginary moments, capturing his charismatic personality and the familial and historical contradictions that shaped him and his work. | Goethe Institute | 28 May, 7pm
Concrete Jungle Screening and Q&A | A drug deal gone wrong sparks a gangland war between Glasgow's most notorious criminals. Meet the filmmakers behind the sensation! | The Clubhouse | 31 May, 12pm
The Lotus Club: Documentary Series | Documentaries curated by two Glasgow-based Japanese journalists: “Here and there in Fukushima” (2015, 48 mins)
In Okuma Town near the nuclear power plant that caused the nuclear accident, there was a group of retired civil servants patrolling the town where all the residents were evacuated after the accident. | Glasgow Museums at Kelvin Hall | 28 May, 6pm
When the Light Breaks | Rúnar Rúnarsson’s fourth feature begins on a high. Students Una and Diddi watch the sunset and plan their future together, as Diddi plans to break up with his girlfriend back home. The next day brings tragedy. From the depths of her grief, Una must decide whether to share a truth that could break someone else's heart. Icelandic with English subtitles - Submitted by Modern Films | Playing all week at GFT | Various times / days from 26 May
FREE Screenings all over Glasgow | Check out the brilliant One Minute Pilots from the best Scottish talent and have your say on what should be commissioned! | Multiple venues and times | 29 May - 1 June, all day
E.1027 - Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea | She built a house for herself. It turned out to be a masterpiece. Irish designer Eileen Gray builds a refuge on the Côte d‘Azur in 1929. Her first house is a discrete, avant- garde masterpiece. She names it E.1027, a cryptic marriage of her initials and those of Jean Badovici, with whom she built it. Le Corbusier, upon discovering the house, becomes intrigued, obsessed. He later covers the walls with murals and publishes photos of them. Gray describes these paintings as vandalism and demands restitution. He ignores her wishes and instead builds his famous Cabanon directly behind E.1027, which dominates the narrative of the site to this day. A story about the power of female expression, and men’s desire to control it. | GFT | Several screenings from 26 May
Preview: Falling Into Place + Q&A | Wintry Skye provides the beautiful backdrop for the start of a will they/won’t they romance between a woman and a man who, in running away from themselves, might find each other. This special preview screening will be followed by a Q&A with writer/director/actor Aylin Tezel. | GFT | 28 May, 7.50pm
Film Night for Teens: The Fall Guy | We are delighted to be hosting our first FREE drop-in event for local teens. Our feature film is The Fall Guy (12a). Doors open at 5:15pm with free board games, snacks and juice available for all. The event will finish by 8pm. This event is in partnership with Celeros and continued support from Glasgow City Council Area Partnership funds. | The Couper Institute | 30 May, 5.15pm
EVENTS:
Glasgow Telly Legends Pick of the Pilots | Stars and creators of some of the most iconic Glasgow drama and comedy discuss the "One Minute Pilots" that caught their eye, their careers and the future of Scottish TV. | Glaschu | 29 May, 7.30pm
Eat Film at Sloans: CHICAGO | Nightclub sensation Velma kills her philandering husband. Chicago's adroit lawyer, Billy Flynn, is set to become her defence lawyer, who also defends Roxie, under trial for murder. | Movie, meal, drink and popcorn £20 pp | Sloans | 27 May, 6.30pm
Wes Ander-Season | Join us at 8:30pm every Thursday between 15th May and 5th June for screenings of some of Wes Anderson's most iconic films. | Grosvenor Picture Theatre | Ongoing to 5 June
FURTHER AFIELD AND FURTHER AHEAD!
Film-related treats happening around the rest of Scotland and UK!
LONDON - Women in Film & TV Networking | hosted by Chelsea Lu | BFI Southbank | 1 June, 11.15am
DUNDEE - Games Networking Night! | A bi-monthly community meet-up for anyone and everyone in the games industry! | 1 Temple Ln. | 30 May, 6pm
OPPORTUNITIES
JOBS / WORK OPPORTUNITIES COMING UP:
Events & Film Officer - Stirling Council | Salary:£40,650 - £43,044 per year
| Responsible for raising the profile of the region for film and screen, securing economic benefit for the city region, and supporting the development of the screen sector in the region. | Apply by 1 JunePre-Selection Viewers - Glasgow Short Film Festival | Glasgow Short Film Festival is looking for short film submission viewers to be part of our GSFF26 pre-selection team. Viewers will be asked to commit to a minimum of 300 short films between July and November 2025. Films submitted to us are on average 15 minutes in duration, and viewers will be paid £3.30 per film. | Apply by 9 June
Head of Programme at Glasgow Film | Salary: £43,740 per annum | The Head of Programme is a key leadership role at Glasgow Film, responsible for shaping and delivering the creative vision across both Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) and Glasgow Film Festival (GFF). As a strategic and public-facing figure, the postholder will lead the programming teams in curating bold, inclusive and engaging film programmes, partnerships and audience development strategies that reflect Glasgow Film’s enduring commitment to Cinema For All. Full-time - 35 hours per week - and as necessary to fulfil the scope of responsibilities within the post. | Apply by 20 June
Glasgow Film Chief Executive | Salary: £65,000 - £75,000 per annum | Glasgow Film is one of the country’s leading cultural institutions providing an independently curated film programme for diverse audiences at the Glasgow Film Theatre and making cinema accessible to all through the renowned Glasgow Film Festival and community outreach and educational initiatives. We are seeking a Chief Executive to drive the development of Glasgow Film as an inspirational national hub for film and screen culture, and advocate for the organisation at a local, national and international level. | Apply by 23 June
Head of Engagement - Eden Court Theatre & Cinema | £38,000 to £42,000 per annum, depending on experience | Responsible for the ongoing successful delivery of the programme, whilst also shaping the future Engagement strategy, to ensure Eden Court continues to deliver an impactful and varied programme. | Apply by 23 June
COURSES & WORKSHOPS:
Directors Prep by National Film & Television School Scotland | Having directed film and television for over thirty years, and authored the book ' The Film Director Prepares', Jonas Grimas will explain, simplify and de-mystify the abstract elements of filmmaking - and share a string of his secrets.| NFTS Glasgow | 2 days 10am -5pm, in-person, 31 May - 1 June
Workshop: Making a feature film in 5 days + Q&A screening of Tummy Monster | A workshop run by Ciaran Lyons: a writer-director with a background in DIY visual effects, and a focus on unconventional, genre filmmaking. His narrative work has received a BAFTA Scotland nomination for Best Short Film, and has played at international festivals including Slamdance, Palm Springs, Frightfest, and London Short Film Festival. He has also shot over 50 music videos, a handful of commercials, and written 3 feature scripts. | GMac FILM, 103 Trongate | 7 June, 2.30pm
BFI FAN: Green Hour - Ignite Local Climate Action | Learn how to connect with the climate movement in your community. In this session, we’ll be joined by T A P E Collective to hear how they blend cinema with urban foraging workshops, and Curzon Cinema to learn about their partnership with Sustainable Clevedon on a 2-day festival uniting cinema, action and community organising. | Online | 17 June,12pm
Story for Pitch Decks / You’ve got a great idea and a script you think industry producers and execs should read. But how do you convince them? 2 day course. / ONLINE / 6 + 20 June
FUNDING / AWARDS / FESTIVALS:
FESTIVALS / ORGS LOOKING FOR FILM SUBMISSIONS:
London Short Film Festival - Submissions Open | LSFF exists to spotlight a multiplicity of filmmakers, visual artists and creatives, across intersections and with a commitment to peripheral voices. BAFTA-qualifying. Each January, the festival hosts ten days of short form, conversation and multidisciplinary curation. We present up to 500 British and international films, collaboratively selected from 5000+ open submissions, alongside Special Events and an industry programme of workshops, panels and discussion for filmmakers and cinema workers. | Regular Deadline 8 June
Edinburgh Short Film Festival | The 15th edition with International Film Festival showcases, more short film screenings, trophies, cash prizes and awards! ESFF is now a BIFA Qualifying festival. One of the UK's strongest short film programmes & dedicated to short film and film-makers, with awards, trophies & cash prizes for: Best Film, Best Animation & Best Scottish Short | final deadline 20 June
CPH:DOX + Futura Cinema: CALL FOR PROJECTS | CPH:DOX and Futura Cinema have partnered to launch the 4th edition, featuring two intensive support programmes for innovation across cinema and the creative industries. Find out more about the incubation programme and experimentation programme | Applications for both close on 30 June
London Breeze Film Festival | Calling black british filmmakers who are already doing the work - Introducing a brand new £10,000 fund, mentorship, and a UK premiere slot at London Breeze 2026 | Submit via MySmashMedia | Deadline 1 August 2025
FUNDS, GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS, MENTORSHIPS:
Bali-Glasgow Filmmaker Exchange by Glasgow Short Film Festival | A residency programme for Indonesian and Scottish filmmakers, made possible with the support of the British Council Connections Through Culture (CTC) grant programme. This exchange programme initiates creative dialogue around environmental sustainability, social change and empowerment between Glasgow Short Film Festival and Minikino (Bali), through an exchange of short films, filmmaker residencies, and workshops at each other’s festivals. Each partner will host screening programmes and filmmakers from the other’s country, offering residencies that include community workshops, masterclasses, and connections with local production networks. The project aims to build common ground around shared challenges and develop plans for long-term collaboration focused on social change and inclusion. |
Upcoming deadlines: Wednesday 28 May 11:00 Webinar introduction to Bali-Glasgow Filmmaker Exchange
Wed 11 June 17:00 Deadline for applications
16-20 June Interview for shortlisted candidates (online)
Wed 25 June Selected participant announcedRESIDENCY - 11-27 September in Bali
The Film Fund up to $10,000 for your short | Craft and submit one sentence with a compelling premise that also conveys why you need this funding to achieve your vision. Our judges will choose the best one. Get creative capital to use for the production of a short, or use it as a film finishing fund. See examples here, and enter below. | Apply before 28 May
25% bursary for women in video games | John Yorke Story - Covers 25% of the regular course price and is available to one female applicant for each iteration of this course. The only requirements are that you are a woman who loves and plays video games, and is interested in how to tell engaging game stories. | Apply before 2 June
Creative Grants From the Hugo Burge Foundation | The Hugo Burge Foundation are offering up to £15,000 to individuals and organisations engaged in creative projects across Scotland. The grants will support projects, people, and organisations in three key areas:
Creative Individuals – funding towards the creation of a specific project, work or piece.
Creative Education – furthering the creative skills and expertise of young people.
Creative Communities - supporting people to engage and connect with arts and culture.
Apply before 31 May
Creative Scotland Open Fund for Individuals / Supporting the wide range of activity initiated by artists, writers, producers and other creative practitioners in Scotland. / Until 8 October 2025
BFI Creative Fund Opens | UK screen organisations can apply for funding ranging from £12,000 to £150,000 | Ongoing until March 2026
NFTS Sylvia Anderson Scholarship | A new funding opportunity for aspiring storytellers, created in partnership with ITV Studios. The Sylvia Anderson Scholarship will support students on the NFTS’ world-renowned two year Screenwriting MA, ensuring that the next generation of screenwriters continue to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation. | Starting Jan 2026
Schools Screen Education Fund | Funding to support schools across Scotland in their delivery of film and screen education. £500 - £5,000 per project. | Screen Scotland | apply before March 2026
NEWS:
Film stories, productions, news, reports, industry insights, and other tidbits that have caught our attention this week!
Republic of Story, British Blacklist launch platform for Black and Global Majority producers 🙌
Foul Play and Sabotage Suspected In Cannes Film Festival Power Outage ⚡
Creative Scotland is to face an expanded independent review by Scottish Government 🔍
Film Festivals currently running / coming up:
SXSW London / 2-7 June / London, UK
Tribeca Film Festival / 4-15 June / New York, US
Sheffield DocFest / 18 - 23 June - Sheffield, UK
Raindance / 18-27 June / London, UK
Docs Ireland / 24-29 June / Belfast, UK
Karlovy Vary Film Festival / 4-12 July / Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic