Glasgow Film Festival (GFF) is set to return this March for its annual presentation of feature film premieres and live events programmes for film lovers and industry members alike.  

Set to open the 2023 festival on Wednesday 1 March is a debut feature by one of Scotland's brightest theatre actor-writer-directors, Adura Onashile. Following its world premier at Sundance this month, Girl follows Grace (played by Déborah Lukumuena) and her daughter Ama (Le'Shantey Bonsu) as they begin a new life in Glasgow. With anxiety and trauma following Grace on this new journey, the pair have to escape a legacy of violence and learn how to trust and be hopeful for the future.

^{Adura Onashile}

Isabel Davis, Executive Director at Screen Scotland says: 'Adura Onashile’s debut feature is an exceptionally fine choice to open this year’s GFF. Set and made in Glasgow, this evocative and poignant examination of a mother-daughter relationship establishes Adura as a hugely exciting film talent. Screen Scotland is very glad to have been part of her journey, including through our support of Girl. We congratulate Adura, along with her producers, Rosie Crerar and Ciara Barry, on being selected as Glasgow’s opening film.'

Tickets for the GFF opener will go on sale at noon on Monday 16 January at glasgowfilm.org.

^{Girl written and directed by Adura Onashile}

The Industry Focus series (running from Monday 6 – Thursday 9 March) will also be making a comeback this year, boasting a range of workshops, screenings, panel discussions and networking events led by international industry experts. Senior Director of Adult Animation for the MTV Lauren Castro is set to join one such panel, hosted by film critic and author Hanna Ines Flint, while pitch training sessions with My SMASH Media will allow for successful applicants to pitch their ideas to a panel of development and production executives, including Film4's Alice Whittemore. 

Allison Gardner, Co-Director of GFF comments: 'I’m very proud of the Glasgow Film Festival team who have put together a brilliant and inspiring programme of events for the Industry Focus. Whilst I always knew that Glasgow Film Festival was the place to see great films, now it is also the place for Industry professionals to come and listen, participate and network with their peers'.

Industry Focus earlybird passes are available until Tuesday 24 January, after which they will be available at the standard price (until Sunday 19 February).

Glasgow Film Festival 2023 runs from Wednesday 1 – Sunday 12 March at Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) and other venues across the city. The full programme will be announced on 25 January.