Glasgow Film Festival reveals first titles for 2026
Free retrospective ‘Truth to Power’ brings 10 major titles back to the big screen, including All the President’s Men, Dr Strangelove, and Erin Brockovich
‘Take a Chance on Me: Swedish Cinema’ will showcase exciting new cinema talent from Sweden
Scotland’s flagship film festival returns for its 22nd edition from 25 February to 8 March 2026
Glasgow Film Festival (GFF) has announced the first films for its 2026 edition, taking place from 25 February to 8 March. Scotland’s biggest film festival has confirmed its highly anticipated Retrospective Programme, which gives audiences the chance to catch classic films back on the big screen for free, as well as its Country Focus theme.
GFF26’s retrospective theme is ‘Truth to Power’, featuring 10 classics from the 1930s to the present day that stand as cinematic statements of resistance, or feature characters that rise against the machines of power. Highlights from the programme include Kubrick-directed satire Dr Strangelove (1964), where military blunders push the world towards nuclear annihilation, featuring comic genius Peter Sellers; Oscar-nominated civil rights epic Selma (2014) from director Ava DuVernay, which chronicles Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s 1965 marches to secure equal voting rights; and the 50th anniversary of major political thriller All the President’s Men (1976), following the journalists who famously broke the Watergate scandal, starring and produced by the late great Robert Redford.
The lineup will also include biographical drama In the Name of the Father (1993), starring Daniel Day-Lewis as an Irishman wrongfully convicted of terrorism who fights to clear his name and free his family; Steven Soderbergh’s dynamic crowd-pleaser Erin Brockovich (2000), which stars Julia Roberts in an Oscar-winning role as a law assistant fighting for justice for a small town devastated by industrial pollution; and Italian-Algerian war film The Battle of Algiers (1966), a recreation of Algeria’s 1950s battle for independence from the French government.
To attend the free retrospective screenings, there is no need to pre-book; simply come along to GFT for 10.30am each day during the festival, pick up a free ticket and enjoy the film! Films shown within the Retrospective Programme may be subject to change.
GFF26 will be the 22nd edition of the festival and will spotlight films from Sweden, with the Country Focus theme ‘Take a Chance on Me: Swedish Cinema’. A hand-picked selection will be showcased at the award-winning festival, including UK premieres of political satire Eagles of the Republic about an adored Egyptian actor who takes the lead role in a major government propaganda film; slick horror The Home where strange events unfold after the protagonist takes his mother into a care facility for dementia; and sci-fi Egghead Republic set in an alternative reality where the Cold War didn’t end.
The UK premiere of female-directed drama Live a Little, which follows a young woman’s exploration of her boundaries on an interrailing trip after she wakes up in a man’s bed with no memory of the night before; and the Scottish premiere of the unique and visually stunning Redoubt, about a farmhand who builds a fortress in his home during the Cold War, are also announced today.
Tickets for the Country Focus titles will go on sale with the full GFF26 programme in January.
The festival also revealed a first glimpse of its new brand today, built on GFF’s belief that films are best experienced together, and that Glasgow is the home for all film lovers – be they cinephiles or casual moviegoers, filmmakers or film enthusiasts. GFF is an international celebration of film known for supporting and championing new voices alongside showcasing the best new titles before their general release. GFF’s new brand, by Glasgow-based creative studio Tangent, will fully roll out over the coming months and reflects the festival’s position as Scotland’s biggest and friendliest gathering for film.
Paul Gallagher, Head of Programme for Glasgow Film, said: “The idea for this year’s retrospective began as I reflected on the legacy and influence of the late Robert Redford. With his classic All the President’s Men serving as a starting point, ‘Truth to Power’ focuses on filmmakers who have taken on daunting targets – power, corruption and injustice – and created all-time classic films in the process; films that are not only hugely entertaining but retain sharp relevance to this day.”
GFF is Scotland’s flagship film festival and is run by Glasgow Film, a charity which also operates Glasgow Film Theatre. Glasgow Film Festival is made possible by support from Screen Scotland, awarding National Lottery funding, and Glasgow Life.
GFF25 welcomed a host of huge film stars to the city, including James McAvoy, Toni Colette, Jessica Lange, Ed Harris, and Tim Roth.
The full GFF26 programme will be announced on Wednesday 21 January.
Information on GFF
A mainstay of the UK’s cultural calendar since 2005, Glasgow Film Festival (GFF) has firmly established itself as an unmissable international event and one of the UK’s top film festivals.
With an expertly curated, audience friendly programme of feature film premieres, community and youth led activities and a commitment to supporting new talent, we have nurtured a dedicated and diverse audience, both locally and internationally.
Glasgow Film Festival is renowned for being an important annual meeting place for the screen industry and a key launch pad for films and filmmakers at every stage of their careers.
A friendly, fun and buzzy festival, GFF is a celebration for people who love film, winning the hearts of film fans across the globe delivering an unrivalled breadth of programme and a warm welcome to all. GFF 2026 will take place from 25 February to 8 March.
Glasgow Film Theatre is a charity registered in Scotland. No. SC005932. glasgowfilmfest.org/
Glasgow Film Festival is made possible through support from Screen Scotland and Glasgow Life.
Information on GFF’s major funders:
Screen Scotland
Screen Scotland drives development of all aspects of Scotland’s film and TV industry, through funding and strategic support.
Screen Scotland is part of Creative Scotland and delivers these services and support with funding from Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Find out more at screen.scot and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Glasgow Life
Glasgow Life is a charity working for the benefit of the people of Glasgow. We believe everyone deserves a great Glasgow life and we find innovative ways to make this happen across the city’s diverse communities.
Our programmes, experiences and events range from grassroots community activities to large-scale cultural, artistic and sporting events which present Glasgow on an international stage.
Our work is designed to promote inclusion, happiness and health, as well as support the city’s visitor economy, in order to enhance Glasgow’s mental, physical and economic wellbeing. For more information, visit www.glasgowlife.org.uk
