Scotland’s flagship short film event announces an exciting new chapter. After twelve happy years within the Glasgow Film family, GSFF is stepping out as an independent charitable organisation.
The first edition of Glasgow Short Film Festival took place over a weekend during the 2008 Glasgow Film Festival. Since then GSFF has successfully run as a project of Glasgow Film, the parent organisation of Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow Film Festival and Glasgow Youth Film Festival.
In twelve editions the festival has grown from a two-day strand during Glasgow Film Festival into a distinct, internationally respected five-day event, attracting up to 300 filmmakers and industry delegates each year. Between April 2018 and March 2019 a total of 17,645 people attended a GSFF event, either at the festival or at year-round screenings in Scotland, Austria, Brazil, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Following the 12th edition in March 2019, the festival took the decision to capitalise on its most successful year to date by reconstituting as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) and securing two years of funding from Screen Scotland’s Film Festivals Fund.
The new organisation will be run by a dynamic board of trustees, including GSFF co-founder and film producer Rosie Crerar of barry crerar ltd. (Run, Irene’s Ghost, Spite Your Face); Charlotte Gross, Director of Audience and Media at National Theatre of Scotland; strategic project development consultant Elspeth McLachlan (recently the National Strategic Director for the Oor Wullie Big Bucket Trail); GSFF Festival Director Matt Lloyd; and lawyer Murray Buchanan, who will serve as the festival’s Chair.
Long-time GSFF programmer and producer Sanne Jehoul takes on a new permanent role as Festival Co-Director, reflecting her considerable experience across film curation, development and event management. Sanne will also lead on a range of year-round talent development and community activities, including Shorts in Support, a scheme that places short films in front of new release features in cinemas across Scotland.
Festival Director Matt Lloyd said, “I’m very pleased to announce that after twelve years GSFF has come of age. Glasgow Film has been a wonderful home for the festival, and continues to be a source of great support and guidance, however it feels right to finally step out confidently on our own. Our fantastic trustees bring a wealth of experience to the organisation, and independent charitable status opens up new opportunities for partnership. We’re looking forward to building on our international profile for curating disruptive, ground-breaking films, to deliver a unique annual festival and a slate of activities year-round to nurture and promote Scottish film talent.”
Festival Chair Murray Buchanan said, “The trustees look forward to working with Matt and Sanne as they lead the festival through this exciting new phase.”