Trainspotting producer Andrew Macdonald leads GFF Industry programme

The full programme for Glasgow Film Festival will be announced next Wednesday (24 Jan), but today the Industry Focus Strand (28 Feb-2 Mar) has been revealed in full. Producer Andrew Macdonald,  best known for his collaborations with Danny Boyle (Shallow Grave, 28 Days Later, Trainspotting and its sequel T2) as well as other celebrated films like Ex Machina, Never Let Me Go and Sunshine on Leith, will be back in his hometown to discuss his vast experience of working in the UK film industry. “Nobody should miss the chance to hear this inspirational, award-winning Scottish producer,” notes Allan Hunter, GFF’s co-director. 

Macdonald will deliver an Industry Spotlight talk along with Hollywood casting director Kerry Barden, who's responsible for assembling the casts of films like Spotlight, Winter’s Bone and Love & Friendship. For local filmmakers it’ll be a rare chance to get insight and advice from professionals at the top of their game.

This year’s industry event also looks to address the biggest issue in the film world over the last few months: the recent explosive revelations of sexual misconduct in the film industry, and the continuing problem of inequality between genders in terms of pay and opportunities. “BAFTA Scotland will look at the urgency of redressing the gender imbalance in film and TV,” notes the press release, “and examine practical solutions to improve access, career development and representation.” In terms of the crucial issue of sexual harassment and abuse, Women in Film & Television (UK) have assembled a panel that will be chaired by Kate Kinninmont, chief executive of WFTV and will include contributions from cinematographer Nicola Daley and casting director Simone Pereira Hind.

Other highlights look to be a practical, hands-on workshop on the development of character and story with screenwriter and regular Shane Meadows collaborator Paul Fraser (Once Upon a Time in the Midlands, Dead Man's Shoes); Market Place Live, a 'live' panel experience which sees a hypothetical film project be developed, produced, sold and distributed all within 90 minutes; and Film Disruptors podcast host Alex Stolz, formerly of the BFI, will host a live session of his podcast. There’s also plenty of opportunities for networking at the Industry Happy Hour sessions.

Allan Hunter commented on the openness of GFF’s Industry strand. “The Industry Focus at Glasgow Film Festival is renowned for its accessibility and relevance to the needs and aspirations of the filmmaking community," said the festival's co-director. “The 2018 programme stretches from nuts-and-bolts advice and timely debates to how to best confront ethical dilemmas and commercial challenges.... The Glasgow Film Festival is a fantastic place to see films but the Industry Focus means that Glasgow is also a great place to learn more about how to make films.”

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GFF's Industry Focus Strand runs 28 Feb-2 Mar. For full programme info and tickets (four-day event passes cost £75 full price / £30 for students), head to www.glasgowfilm.org

GFF 2018 takes place 21 Feb-4 Mar, with the full festival programme revealed on 24 Jan