Cinetopia: Recommends, 7-13 April 2025🍿
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... 🎉
Happy Sunday fellow movie nerds! 👋 Welcome to your weekly film happenings drop…
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We were deeply saddened by the passing of a true cinema legend last week. RIP Val Kilmer, one of the big screen greats. A Real Genius 💗
AROUND TOWN
Film screenings & events in Edinburgh and Glasgow 🍿
EDINBURGH
FILM SCREENINGS:
EASTER FOR KIDS: The Minecraft Movie + Free gift! | Free Minecraft in-game jet pack add-on when you book a screening of The Minecraft Movie at ODEON Edinburgh West between 4th and 6th April!
The Swallows of Kabul / Les Hirondelles de Kaboul | In 1998, Kabul is under Taliban rule. Zunaira and Mohsen are young and in love, and despite the daily violence and misery, they hope for a better future. One day, a foolish gesture causes life to take an irrevocable turn. | French Institute | 9 April, 2pm
Didi | This comedy-drama follows 13-year-old Chris/Dì Di in the summer before high school as he navigates his coming-of-age through social media | Grassmarket Community Picture House | 9 April, 7pm
Sewol: Years in the Wind Special Screening & Distinguished Lecture | Documentary: Sewol: Years in the Wind and Special Talk by Sera Park on ‘Everyone Has Their Own Story of Sewol’: Sewol Ferry Disaster - organised by the Scottish Centre for Korean Studies, University of Edinburgh | 50 George Square | 9 April, 1pm
One Life - Cramond Cinema Club Movie Night | ONE LIFE is a poignant historical drama that brings to life an extraordinary story of courage and humanity set against the Holocaust - organised by Cramond Association Cinema Club | Cramond Kirk | 10 April, 6.45pm
Ladies in Lavander (2004) Relaxed Movie Screening at ELC | Spend an afternoon watching a classic movie on a big screen! Hot drinks are provided, and everyone is welcome to relax and enjoy the movie. Wheelchair Accessible | Eric Liddell Centre | 10 April, 2pm
‘A place for us’ Latin-Americans in Scotland | "A Place for Us" – Latin Americans in Scotland is a film screening , informal discussion and restorative movement event. | Wee Museum of Memory | 12 April, 2pm
Edinburgh Film Guild Presents: Édouard et Caroline | Pianist Edouard and his wife Caroline are expected at a party at the house of her affluent uncle. Edouard plans to use the opportunity to wow the gathering’s guests with his musical abilities. But then the young couple have a fight which threatens to ruin everything. | French Institute | 11 April, 6pm
Dog-friendly Screening: FLOW | Cat is a solitary animal, but as its home is devastated by a great flood, he finds refuge on a boat populated by various species, and will have to team up with them despite their differences. | Cameo Picturehouse | 12 April, 12pm
EVENTS:
Fundraiser - Latin Connections Film Festival | We invite you to help bring the Latin Connections Film Festival to life—a vision that has been in the making for over four years. What started with a handful of screenings has evolved into a dynamic programme celebrating Iberian American cinema. We want to run the next edition of our festival that unites Scotland with the stories, art, and ideas of Latin America, Spain, and Portugal. | DONATE HERE
Folk Film Gathering | The world's first folk film festival returns to Cameo for another programme of folk cinema from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, England, Algeria, Iceland, Lebanon, Palestine, and Ukraine. | MULTIPLE VENUES ACROSS EDINBURGH from 26 April - 11 May
Image from Folk Film Gathering 2025
GLASGOW
FILM SCREENINGS:
EVENTS:
An audience with Michelle McManus | Join host Lisa Kennedy as she sits down to chat to TV Presenter, Broadcaster, Singer and Actress, Michelle McManus | Berlinky’s Glasgow | 13 April, 3pm
Always Been Here with Replay Zine | Make content for the second issue of Replay Zine at this zine making social for women and non-binary people into gaming. | Glasgow Zine Library | 10 April, 6pm
CinemARC: FieldARTS Showcase | A showcase of films created through FieldARTS, a residency programme hosted by the Infrastructure Humanities Group. | Advanced Research Centre, University of Glasgow | 7 April, 6pm
Inclinations Film Club: Fragments, wholes and One Minutes | A mix of experimental and found footage cinema, exploring themes of fragmentation, time, and cinematic form, including two short films exploring the symbolic role of the car in cinema, and a volume of experimental one-minute films from a diverse range of international artists, challenging conventional storytelling through rapid, time-conscious filmmaking. | CCA Glasgow | 8 April, 7.30pm
Horror Minus Horror: The Humans | A two-night film series that tests and expands the boundaries of the genre: a conversation between films that employ horror’s aesthetic conventions without being considered horror, and films that explore horror’s themes without using those aesthetics. | CCA Glasgow | 10 April, 7.30pm
Preview: The Return + live broadcast Ralph Fiennes Q&A | The screening on 9 April will be followed by a discussion, broadcast live from the British Museum, with Oscar-nominee Ralph Fiennes, British Museum's Keeper of Greece and Rome, Tom Harrison, and Curator: Reception of the Ancient Mediterranean, Vicky Donnellan. | GFT | 9 April, 6.15pm
ALSO AT Cameo Picturehouse Edinburgh (same time)
Kim’s Video + Director’s Q&A + Mystery Video Swap Box! | Cinetopia is bringing this zany documentary about New York’s Cult video store Kim’s Video to the GFT. In the spirit of celebrating video store culture and the magic of browsing the vhs tapes... bring along a DVD or video from your own collection before the screening and lucky dip in the box for a new one to take home! 💥The film will be followed by a recorded Q&A with directors David and Ashley, and Mr Kim himself. | GFT | 10 April, 8pm
Record Store Day MOVIES! A double-bill at Glasgow Film Theatre to celebrate National Record Store Day: Empire Records and Almost Famous 🎸
30th Anniversay of EMPIRE RECORDS - 12 April, 5.40pm
25th Anniversary - ALMOST FAMOUS - 12 April, 8pm
EVENTS:
Filmmaking Workshops for Trans and Non-binary People | SQIFF and Scottish Trans brings 4x filmmaking workshop sessions for Trans and Non-Binary people to learn accessible ways to make a film. | Transmission Gallery | 6 April, 2pm
FURTHER AFIELD AND FURTHER AHEAD!
Film-related treats happening around the UK!
DUNDEE - EASTER WITH THE KIDS! Spring into Animation! Drop in throughout the holidays for a family-friendly daily design challenge, inspired by Aardman animation studio. | V&A | Daily, 7-13 April
OPPORTUNITIES
JOBS / WORK OPPORTUNITIES COMING UP:
Filmhouse Edinburgh has two more job openings: deadline 18 April
Marketing Officer - £26,000 pa
Programme Officer - £26,000 pro rata (part time)
Filmmakers Programme Assistant - GMAC Film, Glasgow | 5 months, with a 30 hour week working pattern. £23,000 pro rata. | Deadline 9 April
Project Co-Producers - Offline (formerly GAMIS) | Work with the Director of Programmes in a strategic capacity as the organisation enters a period of development. Fixed term 6-month contract. £33,000 pro rata | Deadline 13 April
PR & Comms - Celtic Media Festival | Provide comprehensive PR & comms support for the CMF, taking place in Newquay, Cornwall from the 3rd to the 5th of June 2025 | Deadline end April
Head of Operations & Development - Luminate | This new part-time leadership role will provide strategic leadership and business direction for Luminate, leading on business development, fundraising, finances, and operations. | £40,000 pro rata for 24 hours/week, plus pension | Apply before 28 April
COURSES & WORKSHOPS:
TV Training Programme | A TV show shooting in Scotland is recruiting up to 18 trainees, across various departments. Trainees will learn from some of the finest technicians and creatives working in the film and television industry. The experience of training within a real filming environment will create a strong platform for trainees to embark on successful careers within the sector | Trainees will be paid salaries between £605.00 and £756.25 per week (inclusive of holiday pay), depending on the role. | Apply by 21 April - via Screen Scotland
Solar Reels - Deaf Film School - Looking for 3 deaf people to take part in a 2 week summer film school | Mentored by two deaf film and television professionals, you’ll gain hands-on experience in story development, production skills, filming, and editing. This includes creating your own film! | Solar Bear, Glasgow | 14-26 July, apply by 12 May
Early Entrant Pathways (to film and TV) | FREE two day training courses in variety of Film/TV departments to get early entrants to the industry "set ready" | NFTS Scotland:
Set Ready: Working in the Costume Department - Fri 9th and Sat 10th May
Set Ready: Working in the Make-up Department -Wed 13th and Thurs 15th May
Set Ready: Working in the Production Department- Sat 17th and Sun 18th May
Set Ready: Working in the Production Department (second running) - Sat 7th and Sun 8th June
Set Ready: Working in the Location Department - Sat 28th and Sun 29th June
Set Ready: Working in the Assistant Directors' Department - Mon 12th and Tues 13th May
Set Ready: Working in the Assistant Directors' Department (second running) - Mon 9th and TuMon 9th and Tues 10th June
Set Ready: Working in the Sound Department - Tues 6th and Wed 7th May (**JUST ADDED**)
Set Ready: Working in the Camera Department - Tues 29th and Wed 30th April (** JUST ADDED ** - subject to change)
Set Ready: Working in the Costume Department - Fri 9th and Sat 10th May
Set Ready: Working in the Make-up Department -Wed 13th and Thurs 15th May
Set Ready: Working in the Production Department- Sat 17th and Sun 18th May
Set Ready: Working in the Production Department (second running) - Sat 7th and Sun 8th June
Set Ready: Working in the Location Department - Sat 28th and Sun 29th June
Set Ready: Working in the Assistant Directors' Department - Mon 12th and Tues 13th May
Set Ready: Working in the Assistant Directors' Department (second running) - Mon 9th and TuMon 9th and Tues 10th June
Set Ready: Working in the Sound Department - Tues 6th and Wed 7th May (**JUST ADDED**)
Intro to Editing with Avid Media Composer | NFTS Scotland | 3-day course 29 April - 1 May, Apply by 18 April
Scottish Youth Film Foundation Sean Connery Talent Lab opens for applications | This summer school will take place near Alness in the Highlands and will be free to all participants. | Scottish Youth Film Foundation | Apply Now
Screen Combat Course / Learn smallsword stage and screen combat, putting performance in action through choreographed swordplay - organised by Stage Fight Scotland / From 7-12 April
Introductory Photography Course | An introductory photography course for 16-25 year olds that will teach you basic photography skills as well as encourage you to develop your own projects. | Stills School, Edinburgh | Apply before 25 April
Producing for Screen: Development to Distribution | Learn the essentials of producing for film and TV in this 2-day workshop — covering development, financing, production, and distribution. | GMAC Film Glasgow | 26-27 April, apply before 25 April
NFTS: Interviewing for Documentary and Factual Filmmaker / From actuality interviews to formal sit-downs, we will spend two days developing your interviewing skills and experimenting with different techniques and approach / NFTS Scotland / 8 & 9 May
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 LOOKING FOR FILM SUBMISSIONS:
GMAC Short FIlm Festival | GMAC’s Short Film fest is dedicated to showcasing Scottish-based artists and championing diverse, underrepresented voices in independent filmmaking. We are looking for creative, thought-provoking, and entertaining independent films. | Deadline 15 April
SQIFF - Scottish Queer International Film Festival / Open for short film submissions to the 2025 edition of their festival that runs 28th October – 1st November. Submission fees are pay what you can / Deadline 20 April
Edinburgh International Film Festival 2025 / Festival will run from 14-20 August / Deadline: 18 April
LandxSea Festival Montrose / Scotland’s leading environmental film festival, we celebrate bold, thought-provoking storytelling that challenges, inspires, and connects audiences to the planet’s most pressing issues / Submissions close on 21 April
Saint Andrews Film Festival | The platform for Self-Expression and Filmmaking Education. We elevate Scottish cinema and cross-cultural exchange. | Deadline 30 April
Edinburgh Short Film Festival / The 15th edition with International Film Festival showcases, more short film screenings, trophies, cash prizes and awards! / Regular deadline 16 May
FUNDS, GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS:
Win £10,000 to Fund Your Documentary | The Listening Pitch - The Aesthetica x Audible UK | Submit to the listening pitch is a £10,000 documentary grant. Over the past 5 years, we have funded and produced eight documentaries that highlight the power of storytelling through sound. Many of these films have gone on to screen at SXSW, BFI Flare, San Francisco International Film Festival and Sundance and be acquired by Guardian Documentaries. | Deadline, 21 April
Yarns Short Film Competition: 5-minute short film. | Win £2,000 funding and a premiere at Curzon Soho by Friday 2 May.Yarns is calling on unsigned filmmakers to react creatively to the new abnormal and come up with a short film idea based on the theme of disinformation[1]. Can you make sense of the chaos - or will you make chaos of the sense? | Deadline 2 May
Win £10,000 to Fund Your Documentary | The Listening Pitch - The Aesthetica x Audible UK | Submit to the listening pitch is a £10,000 documentary grant. Over the past 5 years, we have funded and produced eight documentaries that highlight the power of storytelling through sound. Many of these films have gone on to screen at SXSW, BFI Flare, San Francisco International Film Festival and Sundance and be acquired by Guardian Documentaries. | Deadline, 21 April
Vimeo Short Film Grant / Lights, camera, funded 🎬 We’re delighted to support the next generation of filmmakers with the inaugural VIMEO Short Film Grant, Presented by Nikon USA and @reddigitalcinema - Apply before 18 April
Elizabeth Neuffer Journalism Fellowship | International Women’s Media Foundation Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship is taking applications, providing academic and professional opportunities to advance the reporting skills of women and nonbinary journalists who focus on human rights and social justice. | Apply before 20 April
Changing Perspectives Film Fund / UK Jewish Film is delighted to announce the launch of a new film fund for 2025, which will support the production of three high-quality, dramatic short films (approximately 15 minutes each), aimed at teenagers, and set in present-day Britain / First deadline 21 April
Shore Scripts Short Film Fund | Shore Scripts was set up to help emerging screenwriters break into the film and TV industry. Win up to $15,000 production grant or $4,000 in finishing funds.(Costs apply) | Final deadline 2 May
Open Call for Southeast Asian Storytellers! | Join the Just Futures Impact Story Lab — a new initiative for creators working on audiovisual projects that tackle regional issues. | Apply by 18 May, lab takes place 6-9 September in Bali, Indonesia
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
Reel Impact / Igniting change and creating equity for Black and Global Majority professionals in the TV and Film industry, from WFTV - grants for individuals and organisations / Sign up here for news of the next round of funding
NEWS:
Film stories, productions, news, reports, industry insights, and other tidbits that have caught our attention this week!
A TV show shooting in Scotland is recruiting up to 18 trainees, across various departments. 🎥
Global film and TV industry braces for expansion of Trump trade war 🍊
Film Festivals currently running / coming up:
Queer East Film Festival / 17-28 April / Multiple locations, UK
Folk Film Gathering / 26 April - 11 May / Multiple locations, Edinburgh
Alchemy Film & Arts / 1-4 May - Hawick, Scottish Borders
Festival de Cannes / 14-23 May - Cannes, France
Sheffield DocFest / 18 - 23 June - Sheffield