GLASGOW SCHOOLS FILM FESTIVAL 14 - 22 FEBRUARY 2008

Inspiring young people to learn through film.
Glasgow Schools Film Festival, now in its third year, attracted 3500 school pupils from Scotland last year, in Glasgow and on tour. This year's rich and diverse programme is bigger and more exciting than ever before! The Festival features an impressive range of cross-curricular screenings and workshops designed to inspire young people to learn in fun and interactive ways. GSFF is a rapidly growing and hugely exciting event, offering something for young people of all school ages. We look forward to seeing you there in 2009!

Tickets FREE to Glasgow local authority schools and £3 per pupil from all other schools. Accompanying teachers go free.*

View GSFF 08 Programme as a PDF document

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TEACHERS' INSET
GFT Education Room
Wednesday 13 February 3.00 - 6.00
*FREE for teachers from Glasgow local authority schools. £10 for all other teachers.
This in-service training session will look specifically at imaginative use of documentary films in the classroom. We'll look at how teachers can employ documentary as a creative and stimulating learning tool in step with the Curriculum for Excellence, and ways in which documentary films can enhance pupils' knowledge and engagement with global issues. The session will be led by professional documentary filmmakers, Alice Nelson (winner of Scottish BAFTA for Best Short Film 2007) and Doug Aubrey (co-director of Autonomi Films and Project-Trainer for Diversity Films). Refreshments will be provided.

 

 

 

THE 11TH HOUR SPECIAL PREVIEW!
GFT / Thursday 14 February 10.15 - 12.00
Age 12+ / [Environmental Studies / Science]
A powerful document on the dangers facing our environment, , narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio and featuring contributions from over fifty of the world's most prominent thinkers and environmental activists. The pressing problems of global warming, deforestation, and extinction are addressed by high-profile figures including physicist Stephen Hawking, Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Although the issues are stark, the film is ultimately hopeful, suggesting that by working together and developing more socially responsible attitudes we can shape a better future.

BRIDGE OVER THE WADI
GFT / Friday 15 February 10.00 - 11.30
Age 12+ [Social Subjects / Citizenship / Religious & Moral Education]
The Wadi Ara School is the third school to open in Israel and Palestine as part of the "Hand-in-Hand" project, which aims to educate Israeli and Arab children together. Bridge over the Wadi documents the events of the school's first year, finding that while the pupils seem able to learn and play side-by-side in harmony, the process of reconciliation is less easy for their parents and teachers. A powerful but non-judgmental account of an attempt by adults to overcome a history of conflict for the sake of their children's future. Introduced by Amnesty International.

 

GIRLS ROCK!
GFT / Wednesday 20 February 10.00 - 12.00
Age 8+ [Music / Personal & Social Education]
This is summer camp with a difference. Girls aged from 8 to 18 learn how to express their individuality through rock music. They have one week to form a band, choose an instrument and write a song. At Rock Camp, the girls are coached by indie rock chicks (including Beth Ditto from The Gossip) and must perform for over 700 people. The film focuses on several recruits: Laura, a Korean adoptee obsessed by death metal, Misty, who is emerging from a life of homelessness and gang activity and eight-year-old Amelia who writes rock songs about her dog Pipi. Film preceded by live rock performance!

 

 

ON A TIGHTROPE
GFT / Thursday 21 February 10.15 - 11.45
Age 12+ [Social Subjects / Citizenship]
In an orphanage in the Chinese province of Xinjiang, children study the ancient Uighur tradition of tightrope walking. Uighurs are the largest Muslim denomination in China but the children are forbidden to openly profess their religion. Petr Lom follows the youngsters as they undergo their intensive daily training and schooling, giving insights into their personal struggles and achievements. This is thoughtful and considerate filmmaking that captures the survival of a distinctive culture within a political regime which limits freedom of expression. Introduced by Amnesty International.

 

 

THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES - SPECIAL PREVIEW!
Cineworld at The Forge, Parkhead
Monday 18 & Tuesday 19 February 10.00 - 11.45
Age: 7+ [English]
Three siblings move from the big city to their uncle's ancient and dilapidated mansion. After a number of strange happenings, the children band together to figure out what is going on. Soon they discover Brownie, an enchanted creature who introduces them to a magical world of goblins, fairies and sprites. Based on the best-selling children's book series by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi.

 

 

OLIVER TWIST
GFT / Monday 18 February 10.15 - 12.00
Age 8+ [English / History / Media Studies / Music]
A brilliantly realised silent film adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist by Glasgow-born director Frank Lloyd. The orphaned Oliver (child star Jackie Coogan), labelled a troublemaker because he dares to ask for more food, is sent out to work as an undertaker's assistant. Escaping his cruel master, Oliver falls in with a gang of pickpockets, headed by the creepy Fagin (Lon Chaney). Kindly Mr. Brownlow, Oliver's real grandfather, tries to help the lad but evil Bill Sykes complicates matters. Neil Brand, who recently worked with Paul Merton on his "Silent Clowns" series for BBC4, will accompany the screening on piano followed by a Q&A session.

 

MICHOU D'AUBER
Cineworld at The Forge, Parkhead / Friday 15 February 10.00 - 12.15
Age 12+ [French]
Messaoud is a nine-year-old boy of Algerian descent living in Paris in the early Sixties. When his mother falls ill, his father is forced to place him with a host family. With the war in Algeria at a critical point and anti-Algerian sentiment at its worst, his host mother Gise'le hides his identity. Messaoud becomes Michel, blond and catholic. Foster dad George (Ge'rard Depardieu) sets about instilling in little "Michou" French patriotism and stark worship of General Charles de Gaulle - not realising his charge's background. All is well until Michou's secret is revealed.
A printable PDF study pack accompanies this event. Please download it from the resources section below.

 

 

 

L'ENFANT LION (SIRGA)
GFT / Thursday 21 February 10.00 - 11.45
Cineworld at the Forge, Parkhead / Friday 22 February 10.00 - 11.45
Age: 10+ [French]
Oule is a young boy who has always had a special love for animals and nature. As an infant, he was raised with a lion cub named Sirga and he has grown up with the ability to talk to the animals and trees. One day he and his playmate Lena are captured by a desert chief, enslaved, and taken to a vast palace. Using his rapport with wild creatures, Oule wins freedom for himself and Lena, driving away a band of murderous horsemen bent on killing the inhabitants of their village.

 

BBC BLAST: GET CREATIVE
Castlemilk Youth Complex / Friday 15 February
Session 1: 10.00-12.00 Session 2: 2.00 - 4.00
Age: 13+ [Art / Music / Drama / Filmmaking / Personal and Social Education]
Let BBC Blast help you get creative. Whatever you're into - art, music, writing, filmmaking, dance or more - Blast can help you to go further. Blast will be running a special introductory workshop designed for all abilities where you can try out four fun creative activities - animation, bluescreen films, Manga cartoon drawing and a "Have A Go" session with BBC Scotland staff. Limited places - early booking recommended.

 

 

COMIC RELIEF: DISCOVER BRAZIL - CARNIVAL!
Platform at The Bridge, Easterhouse
Monday 18 February 1.30 - 3.00
Age: 10+ (Primary) [Social Subjects / Citizenship / Art]
Join the Comic Relief team to watch short films about charitable projects in Brazil. These will be followed by an interactive workshop focusing on the challenges faced by the young people in the films, and a chance to learn more about Brazilian carnival culture using arts and crafts.
N.B. The films contain images of deprivation and references to drug use.

 

 

 

FAIRGROUND FILMS
Platform at The Bridge, Easterhouse / Tuesday 19 February 10.30 - 12.00
GFT / Wednesday 20 February 10.30 - 12.00
Age: 9+ (Primary) [People in the Past / Drama / Art]
Learn about the history of travelling show people in Scotland in this fun and creative interactive event featuring special archive films from Edwardian times, discussion and drama. Discover why, one hundred years ago, people went to see films in travelling cinemas at fairgrounds - and why the films were only three minutes long! Led by writer and film critic Mitch Miller.
A printable PDF study pack accompanies this event. Please download it from the resources section below.

 

SCOTTISH SCREEN: THE EMPIRE EXHIBITION
GFT / Monday 18 & Tuesday 19 February 10.00 - 12.00
Age: 8+ (Primary) [People in the Past / Drama / Art]
Discover Glasgow in the past with this special workshop from the Scottish Screen Archive. Glasgow's 1938 Empire exhibition in Bellahouston Park was a spectacular event that attracted 12 million visitors over seven months. Screenings of original newsreels, amateur footage of the exhibition and the fantastic promotional documentary "Scotland for Fitness" are featured in this activity-packed workshop exploring local history.
Event accompanied by a workbook which pupils will receive on arrival.