Happy Birthday GFT!

If you tend to prefer your cinemas with a little charm and magic, without overt corporate sponsorship and pesky multiplex convenience, you may also like to know about the Glasgow Film Theatre's upcoming birthday celebration. The Grand Dame of Glaswegian picturehouses will dually celebrate 70 years since its initial inception by the pioneer film exhibitor George Singleton as the Cosmo in 1935, as well as 35 years since its purchase by the Scottish Film Council (and subsequent establishment as the GFT) in 1974.

Renowned for its hauntingly evocative Art Deco interior, the atmospheric romance of the building duly reflects the cinematic history it can justifiably boast, from world premieres to live screenings of historical events. As the city’s only remaining independent arthouse cinema, it is also the hub for a wide range of film related activities including educational screenings, movie clubs, screenwriters groups, film courses and The Skinny’s own monthly quiz night. With activities peaking during the busy festival period and offering ongoing highlights throughout the year, the GFT has proven to be a reassuringly firm weave within the fabric of Scottish film-going culture. Providing a large variety of film from past and present, the theatre also actively encourages public engagement on a wider basis through funded initiatives that support easier community access to both world and blockbuster cinema.

The anniversary celebration will include tours behind the scenes, fresh work from New Media Scotland and a chance to talk with some of the GFT crew. In a nostalgic nod to the two years being acknowledged, there will also be free screenings of selected films from both 1939 and 1974. You can view trailers and vote for the two you would most like to see here with voting closing at 4pm on Friday 1 May. Many happy returns!