Glasgow Film Festival reveal Industry Focus line-up

Glasgow Film Festival’s greatest asset has always been its dedication to its paying audience, whether that be through its inventive programming or welcoming atmosphere. But last year the festival opened up to the creators, producers and grassroots filmmakers in Scotland and beyond with an industry focus that adds a welcome new dimension to the dynamic and ever-evolving festival.

The industry focus is back again this year with a series of industry panel discussions and hands-on workshops to help emerging filmmakers meet future collaborators, learn about the craft and business of filmmaking and progress their projects.

The headline appearance during GFF’s Industry Focus will surely be Christine Vachon, the indie producer who’s had a hand in over 100 features including films by Kimberly Peirce (Boys Don't Cry), Robert Altman (The Company), Larry Clark (Kids), Mark Romanek (One Hour Photo), and Todd Solondz (Weiner-Dog).

Vachon is perhaps best known, however, for her close collaborations with Todd Haynes. Together they’ve made modern classics like Poison, Safe, Far From Heaven, I’m Not There and Carol, as well as upcoming film Wonderstruck. She’ll be discussing her career and the art of producing as part of the festival.

Another highlight looks to be IPS Filmmaking in Scotland: Devolution or Revolution?, a panel featuring BBC Head of Film Joe Oppenheimer, Film4 Head of Production Tracey Josephs, Senior Production and Development Executive for the BFI's Film Fund Lizzie Francke and Director, Screen at Creative Scotland Natalie Usher discussing the future of the Scottish film industry.

There’ll also be Round Table sessions offering filmmakers the chance to have informal chats about their projects with leading funders, distributors and sales agents; Finance Forum sessions discussing financing, international co-production and distribution; and Producer Session panels and Q&As to help new filmmakers get to grips with how the industry works.

There’s also the delightful prospect of Filmmaker Speed Dating, which will match writers looking for directors and filmmakers looking for producers.

“Scotland is rich in filmmaking talent,” said Ben Taylor, Festival and Industry Coordinator, “so we're excited to have a dynamic programme that will help to further develop that talent through talks, workshops and presentations, presents Scottish filmmakers and projects in live pitching events to funders and distributors and facilitates filmmakers coming together and connecting.”

"Glasgow is the centre for production in Scotland,” adds GFF Manager Rachel Fiddes, “and we are so pleased that we have been able to expand our industry programme in 2017 to reflect the demand for this from our local creatives and technicians, and from those from further afield too."

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Glasgow Film Festival Industry Focus runs from 21 to 24 February; GFF 2017 takes place 15–26 Feb, the full festival programme will be revealed on 18 Jan.

Passes for the Industry Focus strand cost £50 (with discounts available) and cover access to all talks and events, press and industry screenings and social events, plus ticket discounts to other Glasgow Film Festival screenings. Tickets are on sale now from glasgowfilm.org/festival