January blues with Spring still a fair bit away. Thankfully, the Partick Film Festival returns with a packed programme to light up the Winter nights.
Events in Glasgow West End this January? Partick Film Festival is one of the best!
By Tracy Mukherjee
This week sees the welcome return of the Partick Film Festival (PFF). Now in its third year, the festival runs from Monday 19th January until Sunday 25th. A film festival which celebrates local as well as international talent, PFF combines screenings with masterclasses, workshops, panel discussions and a lot of film fun.
The Curtain Rises
On the festival launch night, a 30th anniversary screening will take place of the Hollywood Blockbuster Rob Roy. And adding some star quality to the event at The Grosvenor, Ashton Lane, will be none other than the film’s Director Michael Caton-Jones and one of its stars, actor Gilly Gilchrist. The Q&A session that follows will kick the festival off with a bang.
Michael Caton-Jones says ‘I’m delighted to be appearing at the Partick Film Festival. I know how passionate Joseph is about his hometown of Partick and for his profession, so what better way to combine them than with the festival.’
An Interactive Film Festival
Continuing the Q&A sessions, the fantastic cast of River City take to the stage at Kelvin Hall on Thursday 22nd January. In conversation with Paul English, this free event will see the show’s stars reminiscing on their favourite moments over the years. And given River City is now in its final series, it’s sure to be a poignant evening.
As well as quizzing the stars, attendees to the PFF can also learn from those behind the cameras. With screenwriting events, short film masterclasses and even drama workshops for the children, the film festival allows those taking part to understand the many facets that go into film production.
With a short film screening of Scottish films and cinema from further afield, it’s a chance to see the end products that have been crafted too. The screening on Friday 23rd at The Grosvenor Picture Theatre will be followed by an Awards Ceremony for the very best in, often overlooked, short films.
Celebrate Good Times!
With so much to see and take part in, the PFF have also ensured there’s space for some informal fun. Why not combine a movie with a meal at the West Side Tavern event on Wednesday 21st? Or to round things off, boogie with a film-themed silent disco at West Side Tavern in Partick? What a way to close an event!
Of the event, festival founder, film and tv producer Joseph McLean says: ‘Partick has a really strong film and TV heritage, and as someone who was brought up here, it’s exciting to get the chance to bring the community together to enjoy the best screen stories together. When I was growing up, I went to Partick Library, the Kelvin Hall and the Grosvenor Cinema every week. I went to the Saturday morning kids club at the Grosvenor with all the other weans from Partick, so to bring the festival here is special.’
Joseph continues, ‘I want to bring the film industry to Partick with a mix of events, community screenings and workshops. Our nonprofit organisation’s ethos is to have events that are free of charge, to give everyone an opportunity to access the festival. We can do this thanks to the support of the GRID Civic Grant Fund, the Partick & Thornwood Ideas Fund and from our sponsors.’
Partick Film Festival runs from Monday 19th January – Sunday 25th of January 2026.
Tickets for all events are available at www.partickfilmfestival.com
Visit the website for details of free events and full schedule.
For more events in Glasgow West End this January –
