James McAvoy to Premiere Directorial Debut at Glasgow Film Festival 2026

Homegrown Hollywood star James McAvoy will return to Glasgow to premiere his directorial debut, California Schemin’, at the Glasgow Film Festival (GFF) on March 8, 2026. The premiere will mark a significant moment in the 22nd edition of the festival, which runs from February 25th to March 8th.

Festival Highlights and Scottish Talent

McAvoy will be joined on the red carpet by cast members Samuel Bottomley (known for How to Have Sex), Séamus McLean Ross (of Outlander: Blood of My Blood), and Paisley-born BAFTA Scotland Award-winning actress Lucy Halliday (Blue Jean).

The festival will also showcase a range of other Scottish talent. Identical twins Ben McQuaid and Nathan McQuaid will present the world premiere of their micro-budget horror film, Welcome to G-Town, on February 28th, after initial screenings sold out quickly. Edinburgh filmmaker Sean Dunn will attend the UK premiere of his black comedy, The Fall of Sir Douglas Weatherford, on March 4th. Glasgow-based Jack Archer, director of the Gaelic-language documentary Sailm nan Daoine (Psalms of the People), will also be in attendance on March 1st, alongside film subject Rob MacNeacail.

Opening Gala and Documentary Focus

The Glasgow Film Festival 2026 will open with the UK premiere of Everybody to Kenmure Street, directed by Scotland-based Chilean-Belgian filmmaker Felipe Bustos Sierra. The documentary, which received the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Civil Resistance at the Sundance Film Festival, will be presented with political activist and human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar and Glasgow Councillor Roza Salih, co-founder of Glasgow Girls.

Festival Details

The 22nd Glasgow Film Festival will take place between February 25th and March 8th, 2026, featuring premieres, Q&A screenings, and special events. Glasgow Film Festival continues to be a platform for both established and emerging filmmakers.