The 2026 Glasgow Film Festival (GFF) is set to begin with a powerful tribute to local activism. The festival’s Opening Night Gala on February 25 will feature the UK premiere of Everybody to Kenmure Street, a documentary detailing the historic 2021 anti-deportation protest in Pollokshields.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!A Community Defiant
The documentary is being praised for its innovative storytelling techniques, including:
- Raw Authenticity: Use of mobile phone footage captured by protesters on the day.
- Creative Protection: Verbatim scripts performed by actors to safeguard the identities of those involved.
- Cinematic Reconstructions: Set-designed scenes that provide a polished, big-screen perspective on the grassroots movement.
Why It Matters
For Glasgow, the Kenmure Street protest became a symbol of the “Refugees Welcome” sentiment and the city’s motto: “People Make Glasgow.” By selecting this film as the opener, the festival highlights the intersection of local history and global human rights issues.
Important Dates for Your Diary
| Event | Date |
| GFF Program Launch | January 21, 2026 |
| Tickets on Sale | January 19, 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Opening Night Gala | February 25, 2026 |
| Closing Night (James McAvoy’s Debut) | March 8, 2026 |
| UK Cinema Release | March 13, 2026 |
