9 December 2015

The Witch To Open 2016 Glasgow Youth Film Festival


Glasgow Youth Film Festival, the only film festival in Europe curated by 15-18 year olds, today announced its 2016 programme. The festival, which runs from 12-15 February 2016, kicks off with a surprising big-league opening gala choice in Puritan supernatural chiller and Sundance favourite The Witch, starring Kate Dickie (Game of Thrones), who will introduce the Opening Gala, and will close with a special screening of Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands, amid a specially-created atmospheric set at supercool converted church St Luke’s. Sandwiched in between is a weekend devoted to contemporary depictions of teenage life from Europe, North America and Japan, in a weekend-long programme that this year has been designed to showcase young, first-time feature filmmakers from all over the world.

80% of those new films are by first-time feature directors, spanning themes with huge relevance to young people – first love, peer pressure, struggles with identity and generational conflict. A number of those directors will be coming to Scotland for the festival for Q&As with the audience afterwards. An impressive 60% of the new films in this year’s programme are UK premieres, which is a huge pull for the young programming team.

GYFF 2016 Kate Dickie

The GYFF Youth Programming Team are also delighted to offer Glasgow audiences early chances to catch When Marnie Was There, the eagerly-awaited newest – and last ever –release from Japan’s legendary Studio Ghibli, and Cronies, which sees Spike Lee protégé Michael J. Larnell showcase his first feature film to global critical acclaim. As ever, there’s also a chance to catch a teen favourite from days gone by – this year’s GYFF Late Night Classic is Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.

Put together by a team of teenagers united by a love of cinema, GYFF16 also offers talks and discussion panels offering assistance to young people considering careers in film and television. This year’s programme includes a discussion with casting director Lenny Mullan (Neds, The Magdalene Sisters) and actor Conor McCarron (Neds, Catch Me Daddy), a class in special effects makeup and prosthetics by industry pioneers SFX makeup (Harry Potter, Doctor Who) a documentary film panel, and an all-day short filmmaking workshop, and a programme of Ted Talks to be announced. Tickets on sale on Thursday 10 December.



FULL PROGRAMME
Unless otherwise stated, all screenings are at Glasgow Film Theatre
Opening Gala: The Witch
Debut director | Fri 12 Feb, 8.40pm

A Puritan family living in 17th century New England is torn apart when their new-born baby disappears and their daughter is accused of witchcraft. A deeply unsettling and visually compelling horror, The Witch is a terrifying tale of black magic, paranoia and religious hysteria.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with star Kate Dickie.

Late Night Classic: Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure
Fri 12 Feb, 11pm

Bill S. Preston, Esquire and Ted “Theodore” Logan (together, they are WYLD STALLYNS; you might have heard of them) hop in a time-travelling phone booth to research their school history report. Tune up your air guitars for a raucous night hanging with history: everyone from So-crates to Sigmund Freud.

GMAC Film: Exploring Sound
Sat 13 Feb, 11,45am Free but ticketed. Tickets available from GFT Box Office on the day; max 2 per person.
George Lucas famously said ‘sound is 50 percent of the movie-going experience’. Join us as GMAC Film’s 16-19 year old BFI Film Academy participants take you on a journey into sound. This will be followed by the premiere of their short film. In partnership with Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Kill Me Please
UK premiere, debut director | Sat 13 Feb, 1.30pm

Set at an exclusive high school in Rio de Janeiro, fifteen-year-old Bia and her group of girlfriends gossip about a local serial killer, shop, play volleyball, and dress in designer clothes. As more bodies appear, Bia’s morbid fascination with the crimes and the victims swiftly turns to obsession.

Prince
UK premiere, debut director | Sat 13 Feb, 4pm

Seventeen-year-old Ayoub is a Moroccan-Dutch teenager hanging out with his friends and fantasizing about Laura, a beautiful girl who lives on the estate. Will he be lured by the temptations of crime and violence in order to win her love?

Cronies
Scottish premiere, debut director | Sat 13 Feb, 6pm

The debut feature from Michael J. Larnell, a student of Spike Lee, is a naturalistic take on the complexities of male friendship. Set against the backdrop of a hazy Missouri summer, Cronies spans a period of 24 hours where it seems almost anything can happen.

Der Nachtmahr

Scottish premiere, debut director | Sat 13 Feb, 8.25pm
Seventeen-year-old Tina has been partying hard with her friends. After one too many comedowns she’s in a fragile mental state that manifests itself in a strange creature. Set in Berlin’s rave scene, Der Nachtmahr is a disorientating ride, written and directed by artist/filmmaker Akiz. Supported by the Goethe-Institut Glasgow

Nena

UK premiere, debut director | Sun 14 Feb, 12.45pm
First-time director Saskia Diesing tells the story of sixteen year old Nena, whose first taste of true love is rocked by her father, a multiple sclerosis sufferer, attempting suicide. A truly unconventional coming-of-age story.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Saskia Diesing.

When Marnie Was There

Scottish premiere | Sun 14 Feb, 3.25pm
A young girl sent to the countryside to recuperate becomes obsessed with an abandoned mansion and the girl who may live inside. Adapted from Joan G. Robinson's classic children's novel, this eagerly-awaited supernatural drama is the final film made by legendary Japanese animation house Studio Ghibli.

Sleeping Giant

UK premiere, debut director | Sun 14 Feb, 5.25pm
Teenager Adam is spending summer with his family when he meets anarchic cousins Riley and Nate, who lure him into the deep end of adventure and rebellion. An atmospheric and engaging first-time feature by Andrew Cividino.

Closing Gala: Edward Scissorhands

St Luke’s Music & Arts Venue, Bain St, Glasgow | Sun 14 Feb, 8pm
Arguably Tim Burton’s masterpiece, Edward Scissorhands tells the story of a blade-handed boy raised in isolation, plunged into the gossip-riven, candy-coloured world of suburbia. This spectacular closing event turns new venue St Luke’s into an atmospheric screening space straight out of Burton’s wildest dreams…

King Jack
Scottish premiere, debut director | Sun 14 Feb, 5.25pm
Fifteen-year-old delinquent Jack is stuck babysitting his younger cousin when they come head-to-head with the local bully. Packed with punch, King Jack is the tough and tender story of an underdog and his quest for a normal life.

The Final Girls
UK theatrical premiere | Mon 15 Feb, 8.30pm

Director Todd Strauss-Schulson’s homage to the teen slasher film with Taissa Farmiga (American Horror Story) and Nina Dobrev (Vampire Diaries). A group of teenagers find themselves pulled into the silver screen where they must apply their horror movie knowledge to help them survive.

Glasgow Youth Film Festival will take place 12th until 15th February 2016 , perfect way to kick off 2016 Glasgow Film Festival as a whole. Tickets go on sale tomorrow 10th December for the Youth festival. We are stoked The Witch [read our 4 star review & 5 star reviews From Sundance 2015] is kicking the festival, a truly terrifying psychological  horror/drama.

Source: The Peoples Movies

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