What's On Scotland (8-14 May): Falastin Film Festival + more

Following an incredible launch in 2024 in Edinburgh, the second edition of the Falastin Film Festival expands to Glasgow this year, with a programme of features, shorts and documentaries from 9-19 May, exploring the rich depth of Palestinian cinema – both contemporary and historic – across both cities.

There's so much to discover, including films from recent rimes and hidden gems. Highlights from the programme include Lina Soualem’s moving family documentary Bye Bye Tiberias, a short film strand called Longing For Palestine, examining the physical, emotional and psychological impact of borders, and even a printmaking workshop. Explore the full programme here and buy your tickets before it sells out.

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Heriot-Watt Degree Show 2025

High Mill Building, Galashiels, 17-21 May

Experience Displayground, the theme for Heriot-Watt University’s Degree Show 2025, where the spirit of play takes centre stage in design. A powerful tool for creativity, play is also a means to explore new possibilities, break boundaries and encourage innovative thinking.

Visit the Degree Show 2025 from 17 – 21 May, as graduating student embraced play and the versatility of design to challenge conventions, drive innovation, and address global challenges with sustainable solutions in their final projects.

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Dance International Glasgow

Various venues, Glasgow. 9-24 May

Biennial festival Dance International Glasgow returns with a stunning programme of international performers and companies showcasing the cutting edge of movement and choreography from the likes of Nigeria, Lebanon and Quebec.

Creatives of Colour Festival

Various venues, Glasgow. 8-10 May 

Hosted across Civic House, Glad Cafe and Glasgow Film Theatre. this festival includes a gig with Kapil Seshasayee and Intibint, a performance of Farah Saleh’s anticolonial choreographic piece Balfour Reparations, and screenings of three films.

Rogér Fakhr + Charif Megarbane

The Mash House, Edinburgh. 9 May, 7pm

Rogér Fakhr’s 1970s lost tapes were recently rereleased by Habibi Funk’s label, who also released polymath multi-instrumentalist Charif Megarbane’s critically acclaimed Marzipan. Find the two of them playing their beautiful take on Arab funk, jazz and folk in Edinburgh.

Spring Awakening

Tron Theatre, Glasgow. 7-10 May, various times

Frank Wedekind's explosive Modernist play about sexual coming-of-age is given a new lease of life in this staging by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s BA Performance for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Actors, who perform the play in a mixture of BSL and English.

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↪ Solange Pessoa: Pilgrim Fields

Tramway, Glasgow. 10 May-22 Sep

One of Brazil's most pre-eminent living sculptors brings together large-scale constellations of organic materials referencing landscapes, archaeology and historical narratives from both Brazil and Scotland. Photo: Installation View of Solange Pessoa at Kunsthaus Bregenz. Photo by Markus Tretter, courtesy of Kunsthaus Bregenz

→ Soccer Mommy

SWG3, Glasgow. 13 May, 7pm

Fresh off a support tour with The National and a slot at Glastonbury, Soccer Mommy's indie pop rock music is simultaneously raw and delicate, with intimate lyrics that cut to the heart of modern love and alienation.

→ Bubble Love (Ross From Friends)

SWG3, Glasgow. 10 May, 2pm

Esteemed electronic producer Ross From Friends brings his Bubble Love moniker to SWG3 for a night of more club-focused tracks. Part of the SWG3 Spring Sessions, expect a block party vibe, with DJs against the backdrop of new urban art installations.

Competitions + Support The Skinny

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