GFT celebrates 80th anniversary

Free screenings for all

by Jennie Kermode

The original Mr Cosmo welcomes film fans
The original Mr Cosmo welcomes film fans Photo: Max Crawford

Iconic Glasgow cinema the GFT (once called the Cosmo) is to celebrate its 80th anniversary next month with a four day weekend of free screenings open to the public. The cinema, known internationally as the home of the Glasgow Film Festival and once described by Quentin Tarantino as a venue that "f**king rocks," underwent extensive renovations in recent years, acquiring a third screen in the process, and will be celebrating its success from the 9th to the 12th of May.

The films screening as part of the event are Olivia Wilde's directorial début Booksmart, David Lynch's Mulholland Drive, family favourite The Wizard Of Oz and Giuseppe Tornatore’s beguiling Cinema Paradiso. Although they're free, the screenings are ticketed to avoid overcrowding and disappointment.

"When the Cosmo opened in 1939, it was the first purpose-built art house cinema outside of London. To this day we’re proud to entertain Glasgow audiences with a broad programme of film including non-mainstream titles not screened anywhere else," said CEO Jaki McDougall. "We are proud of all that we have achieved over the last 80 years, and look forward to the future."

Share this with others on...

Movies out this week include:

Is This Thing On? Nouvelle Vague Primate Rabbit Trap
News

Home truths Marijana Janković on Balkan representation, and the immigrant question of belonging

The division belle Suzannah Herbert on facing the US' troubled history and making Natchez

Spin-off alchemy Claude Schmitz on bringing back cop pairing for Conrad & Crab – Idiotic Gems

Past crime Christoffer Boe on creating a world for his period mystery Special Unit - The First Murder

It Was Just An Accident screenwriter arrested in Iran Jafar Panahi speaks out

Sundance announces winners Josephine, Nuisance Bear, Shame And Money and To Hold A Mountain take top prizes

More news and features

Interact

As we move into 2026, don't forget that you can follow us on YouTube for trailers of festival films and more. You can also find us on Mastodon and Bluesky.

With awards season in full flow, you can keep track of the latest news on that here:

César nominations Nouvelle Vague leads the race for France's biggest awards

BAFTA nominations One Battle After Another and Sinners almost neck and neck

Critics' Circle Awards One Battle After Another wins fight

Oscars Sinners dominates the nominations