Scotland Film Event Highlights – December 2014

As expected, this month's film events have a Yuletide vibe, from a Frozen sing-along to the Nordic Film Festival via screenings of Christmas staples like Gremlins and Home Alone

Preview by Becky Bartlett | 01 Dec 2014

It's December and as expected there's a great selection of Christmas movies, from classics like It's a Wonderful Life to more recent capers such as Elf, playing in cinemas across Scotland. The GFT in Glasgow and the Cameo in Edinburgh, in particular, have an array of films to choose from, including Gremlins (GFT, 5 Dec), Black Christmas (GFT, 16 Dec), The Nightmare Before Christmas in 3D (Cameo, 13 Dec), and Home Alone (Cameo, 21 Dec). Put on your best novelty Yuletide jumper and head to pretty much any cinema for some festive fun.

Following the smash success of Disney's Frozen, the film's themed toys and merchandise are expected to be this year's best-selling Christmas gifts. In Edinburgh both the Cameo (21 Dec) and the Filmhouse (28 Dec) are hosting special sing-along versions of the Oscar-winning animation, giving audiences a chance to sing their hearts out alongside Elsa, her sister Anna, and, of course, Olaf the snowman. Given the movie's popularity, chances are these screenings will be busy, so get your ticket early.

The DCA in Dundee is showing Glasgow-set film Stella Does Tricks (6 Dec), featuring Kelly Macdonald in one of her earliest roles, as part of the global movement, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. Ending on International Human Rights Day (10 Dec), the campaign aims to raise awareness about violence against women. There are several events taking place across Scotland – check the official Facebook page for more information (facebook.com/16DaysCampaign). The DCA's contribution is a free, ticketed event screened in collaboration with the Dundee Violence Against Women Partnership.

Now in its third year, the Nordic Film Festival returns to the GFT this month with four films celebrating Nordic culture and the diversity within it. The festival opened with I Am Yours (1 Dec) and closes with award-winning drama Hotel (22 Dec), but the most intriguing entry is Nordic Factory (15 Dec), a collection of four short films, each exploring different aspects of modern Nordic life, made by eight international filmmakers.

As if there's not enough childhood nostalgia on the big screen this month, the Cameo (23 Dec) is offering a rare opportunity to see the Indiana Jones trilogy (yes, there are technically four films, but most fans prefer to not mention the most recent, which thankfully is not included here). With back-to-back screenings of Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Temple of Doom, and The Last Crusade, join Indy on his most epic adventures from the comfort of the Cameo's cosy sofas.