With all the films chosen by 15 to-21-year-olds from in and around Glasgow, the GYFF has graduated from being a curtain raiser to the main film festival (February 16-26), to an exciting event in its own right, with new dramas, comedies and classics mixing with workshops where you can learn how to design a movie poster, make a short film, and more.
Book early, book often.
Twiggy (N/C 12+)
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Dir: Emmanuelle Millet
With: Christa Theret, Maud Wyler
Running time: 82 minutes
SARAH (a superb Christa Teret) is a 19-year-old with everything going for her, including a traineeship in a Marseilles art gallery and her own place in the city. In the space of a few days, a shock discovery turns the lights out on the future she had planned, and Sarah has to make some momentous decisions quickly. Writer-director Emmanuelle Millet's take on a familiar story is handled in a low key way, but it's all the more illuminating, and heart-rending, for that.
February 11, 8.45pm, Glasgow Film Theatre
David (N/C 12+)
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Dirs: Joel Fendelman, Patrick Daly
With: Muatasem Mishal, Maz Jobrani
Running time: 80 minutes
DEVELOPED from a short film, Joel Fendelman and Patrick Daly's drama cleverly combines a coming-of-age tale with a clash-of-cultures story. Daud, the son of an Imam, finds a book in a Brooklyn park. In trying to return it to its owner, the young Muslim boy is istaken for a Jewish pupil. Instead of clearing up the mistake, he finds himself drawn to this new world. The plot requires a certain leap of faith initially, but impressive performances, especially from Muatasem Mishal as Daud/David, will win you over in the end.
February 12, 2.30pm, GFT. Plus panel discussion hosted by West of Scotland Racial Equality Council.
Simple Simon (N/C 12+)
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Dir: Andreas Ohman
With: Bill Skarsgard, Martin Wallstrom
Running time: 85 minutes
SWEDEN'S 2010 entry to the Oscars is the story of a teenager with Asperger's Syndrome. Simon (Bill Skarsgard) lives at home, but his parents are finding it increasingly difficult to cope with his needs. His brother, recently moved in with his girlfriend, offers him a room. Cue tension all round. While director Andreas Ohman tries to lighten the subject matter with humour, the kookiness too often falls flat and feels forced.
February 18, GFT, 9pm.
Wise Kids (N/C 12+)
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Dir: Stephen Cone
With: Allison Torem, Tyler Ross
Running time: 91 minutes
LAURA, Tim and Brea are getting ready to graduate from high school in South Carolina. A testing time as they begin to decide what to do next. But at least the three, all Christians, have their faith, so everything will be all right, right? Life proves more complicated in Stephen Cone's drama as everything from coming out to fractured friendships is tackled. Shot like a glossy soap opera, and at times it plays like one too, with a large number of characters and less than subtle stories, but satisfying all the same.
February 12, 7.30pm, GFT.
A Boy and his Samurai (N/C 8+)
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Dir: Yoshihiro Nakamura
With: Rie Tomosaka, Ryo Nishikido
Running time: 118 minutes
MRS Doubtfire meets manga meets Kindergarten Cop in this enjoyable comedy drama from Japan. Between working and looking after her young son, single mother Yusa is having trouble coping.
What she needs is a nanny; what she gets is a mysterious man who pops out of nowhere one day claiming to be a 19th-century samurai.
Sweet, funny, silly, and just sly enough to keep adults amused too.
February 12, 12.30, GFT.
Dragonslayer (N/C 15+)
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Dir: Tristan Patterson
Running time: 74 minutes
MEET Skreech– a young Californian dude who lives to skateboard and party. He's also a dad to a baby son. Documentary maker Tristan Patterson follows Skreech as he zips from one part of his life to the next, not always successfully.
Skreech, or Josh to give him his real name, is a nice enough kid but there's not enough here to justify a documentary, with the slacker talk and scene after scene of skateboarding growing pretty tiresome fairly quickly.
February 15, 6.15pm, GFT
Ave (N/C 12+)
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Dir: Konstantin Bojanov
With: Ovanes Torosian, Angela Nedialkova
Running time: 86 minutes
KAMEN needs to get home quickly and cheaply, so takes to the road and sticks out his thumb. Joining him against his wishes is Ave, a young woman drifting from one place to the next. Intrigued by her, but finally exasperated by her lying, Kamen tries to leave her behind. Ave, however, won't give up on her new pal so easily.
Konstantin Bojanov's Bulgarian road movie with a twist isn't the cheeriest of pieces but it takes some interesting turns and the young leads make a watchable, ultimately winning, combination.
February 13, 8.45pm, GFT
Tales of the Night 3D (N/C 8+)
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Dir: Michel Ocelot
Voices: Michel Elias, Marine Griset
WEREWOLVES roam, bees talk, and maidens march to their doom in Michel Ocelot's gorgeously animated, French language adventures. The characters are done in silhouette, with everything around them, from enchanted forests to fabulous cities, jewel-bright. Subtitled and fairly gabby, meaning very small cinemagoers will find it hard to keep up, but a treat for older ones.
February 11, 1.30pm, GFT
Visit www.glasgowfilm.org/festival
