Girl to open Glasgow Film Festival

Adura Onashile's film was shot in the city

by Amber Wilkinson

Déborah Lukumuena and Le'Shantey Bonsu in Girl
Déborah Lukumuena and Le'Shantey Bonsu in Girl Photo: Courtesy of GFF

Adura Onashile’s Girl will open this year's Glasgow Film Festival, which runs from March 1 to 12.

The film, which was shot in the city, stars French actor Déborah Lukumuena (Divines, Robust) as Grace, a mum who starts a new life in Scotland with her daughter Ama (Le'Shantey Bonsu). Traumatised by her past, Grace just wants to keep her daughter safe from harm. Ama is told to trust nobody. When Ama makes friends with a classmate, it only adds to Grace’s anxiety and fear that their special bond is under threat.

Festival co-director Allison Gardner said: “I am delighted and honoured that we will open Glasgow Film Festival with Adura Onashile’s Girl, a powerful and poignant feature debut set in Glasgow.”

Tickets for the festival will go on sale on January 16.

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