The first short film weekend at Glasgow Film Festival was established in 2008 by short film exhibitor The Magic Lantern, in partnership with the Centre for Contemporary Arts. The programme was curated by Rosie Crerar and Penelope Bartlett. Based around a film commission and exhibition by artist Sarah Tripp the programme consisted of screenings of new work and retrospectives alongside panel discussions and a unique sculptural videotheque designed by Robert Orchardson.
Alongside her new film commission, Let Me Show You Some Things, Sarah Tripp curated a selection of shorts that have influenced her over the years, including rare early works by Chantal Akerman, Lindsay Anderson and Wim Wenders. A five programme panorama of new shorts included works by directors who were to become GSFF favourites, such as Don Hertzfeldt, Radu Jude and and Scotland’s own Ruth Paxton. Another local filmmaker, Zam Salim, showcased his back catalogue. Both Ruth and Zam have continued to have a close association with the festival, returning with new films, serving on panels or as jurors, and in Ruth’s case opening the festival in 2014 with PULSE, her collaboration with composer Dobrinka Tabakova.