The Glasgow Short Film Festival has announced the program of its 2023 edition today.
Running from 22 to 26 March 2023, the festival will have a focus on contemporary Lebanese short films and a rare live performance from Beirut-based gender-defying queer dancer Khansa, a retrospective of award-winning artist duo Bárbara Wagner and Benjamin de Burca, wild world-building animations and cinematic existentialism through innovative A.I. collaborations.
Per the festival, this year, the event will shine a spotlight on Lebanese short cinema, in collaboration with Beirut Shorts International Film Festival and supported by British Council, illuminating the country’s historical, cultural and geographical positioning across two programs of shorts and a live performance.
Another highlight will be MOS, the Opening Event, a new moving image work from director Rhys Hollis and production company Pollyanna, that pays homage to Scotland’s untold Black history and celebrates Black performance in Scotland. Filmed in Puck’s Glen and Stirling Castle, this artwork is a collaboration between Hollis (also known as Rhys’ Pieces), mezzo-soprano Andrea Baker, dancer Divine Tasinda and pole artist, Kheanna Walker. Following the screening, Rhys and Andrea will perform live.
A retrospective of artist duo Bárbara Wagner (Brazil) and Benjamin de Burca (Germany/Ireland), whose hybrid musical documentary collaborations with diverse subcultural groups cross continents and span a decade. Alongside two programmes of their work, Benjamin de Burca will be live in conversation, returning to the city for the first time since studying as an undergraduate at Glasgow School of Art two decades ago.
Apart from the competition programs, there are the festival regulars: the Scared Shortless and For Shorts & Giggles sidebar sections.
The GSFF23 audience will also have the opportunity to choose their favorites to win the Scottish and International Audience Awards, whilst the Bill Douglas Award international juries of filmmakers and curators select the winners of the Bill Douglas Award (with a cash prize of £1,000) is selected by an international jury including ZDF/ARTE commissioner Catherine Colas; producer, writer and artistic director of Beirut Shorts Nicolas Khabbaz, and director of the 2022 Bill Douglas Award winner Handbook Pavel Mozhar.
The Scottish Short Film Award (cash prize of £1,000) is awarded by a jury consisting of Girl director Adura Onashile; FilmFest Dresden co-director and Locarno Pardi di Domani selection committee member Anne Gaschütz and programmer and industry coordinator for Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival Julie Rousson. The GSFF23 Scottish Audience Award is sponsored by Film City Glasgow and carries a cash prize of £1,000.
More information on the 2023 program is available on the festival’s website.
