The Youth team presents Labyrinth Photo: Max Crawford |
The organisers of this year's Glasgow Youth Film Festival are celebrating today after the weekend event, the first ever to be run independently, proved a success. With sell-out performances of several films including closing gala choice Labyrinth, and with filmmaking workshops packed with enthusiastic learners, in generated a lot of excitement among young people in the city, many of whom said they hope to attend again next year.
The festival opened with a screening of The Signal which was generally well received despite a few people saying they didn't understand it. To add to their confusion, there were random zombies seated in the audience, as several people had arrived already prepared for a later screening of Shaun Of The Dead. The dressing up theme continued with a cosplay parade, with many attendees making a great deal of effort, and for the closing events the whole Barras Art & Design Centre was dressed up, turning into a jungle replete with trees, vines, snakes, giraffes and an elephant. It was a smaller animal that caused the most sensation, however, as a cockroach went on the rampage through the Youth team's dressing room, creating a panic. Fortunately, the team recovered in time to introduce the films.
With a large and very well received Vegan buffet on offer to celebrate the Green Glasgow theme, and with a performance by the Sensational David Bowie Tribute Band, the festival made many new friends by the time it came to a close. With interest in the creative side of film particularly high, it bodes well for the future of the Scottish industry.