Spilt Milk wins GFF Audience Award

Longstanding festival director says farewell

by Jennie Kermode

The 21st edition of the Glasgow Film Festival came to a close last night with the world première of Martyn Robertson’s Make It To Munich. The closing ceremony also saw the announcement of this year’s audience award, which went to the Dublin-set Spilt Milk.

James McAvoy with his Cinema City Honorary Award
James McAvoy with his Cinema City Honorary Award Photo: Glasgow Film Festival

“We’re deeply honoured to accept this wonderful award and to know that our film connected with the audiences at Glasgow Film Festival, said Spilt Milk director Brian Durnin. “The city and festival will forever hold a place in our hearts.”

German comedy Two To One was the runner-up.

Last weekend, James McAvoy received the festival’s other award, the Cinema City Honorary Award. He was one of several high profile guests to attend this year, along with Jessica Lange, Toni Colette, Tim Roth, Ed Harris, Martin Compston and Takehiro Hira.

The closing ceremony was particularly emotional this time around because it meant final goodbyes for longstanding festival director Allison Gardner, who is retiring from her role. “Being part of Glasgow Film Festival has been the most fun, rewarding and brilliant time over the last 21 years,” she said. “From co-directing alongside the wonderful Allan Hunter to going solo the last couple of years, I have had the most fabulous support and friendship from the exceptional teams in our organisation. I have met some wonderful filmmakers and guests over the years and witnessed audiences fall in love with films that have changed their lives for the better. I will miss the rush of excitement when an audience takes a film to their hearts and no other festival in the world has better audiences.”

Though the exact dates have yet to be decided, it has been confirmed that the festival will return in 2026.

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