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DCM caught up with Allison Gardner, Programme Director of Glasgow Film Theatre, to discuss the future of the cinema industry and upcoming events to get excited about at the Glasgow Film Theatre.
How did you end up in the world of cinema and what do you love about it?
Mrs Thatcher helped me to end up in the world of cinema, I trained as a Primary School teacher but in 1984 there were no jobs and I had to find another path and whilst I was deciding I took a job as an usher. I love the fact that people fall in love, get inspired or just have a great night out watching the films we curate here at GFT.
Tell us a bit about your business/what’s unique about your cinema(s)?
GFT is a not-for-profit educational charity and what began as a single screen cinema over 40 years ago has become Scotland’s most diverse and best publicly attended independent cinema in Scotland. We now have three screens and show 700 feature films a year. We started Glasgow Film Festival in 2005 and it’s now one of the top three film festivals in the UK. We have and extensive learning and public engagement programme and we are ‘Cinema For All’
Do you run any special events/screenings at your cinema?
Yes, we host a number of festivals here as well as Glasgow Film Festival and Glasgow Youth Film festival. During GFF we host a number of Pop-up events around the city and for GFF19 we hosted a spectacular spooky screening to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of The Blair Witch Project in a country park (it was a secret location that we took the patrons to by bus).
What excites you most about the future of the cinema industry?
I think we are coming to a time when audiences will swing back to the cinema experience and even although many things are available online and directly to your home – nothing beats the shared experience of the cinema.
What do you see as the cinema industry’s biggest challenge?
Ensuring the diversity of product still gets screen time and that our audiences still want to share that unique moment in a shared communal space where there are no interruptions – but I think we are persuading audiences back to enjoy cinema in the cinema.
Who do you most admire in the cinema industry, and why?
I have a great deal of admiration for Glasgow Film’s CEO Jaki McDougall, she has an extensive knowledge of the sector and is a collaborative manager who has shaped and worked incredibly hard to ensure the sustainable growth of GFT.
What is your favourite film and why?
Aliens is always great and that moment when Sigourney Weaver decides enough is enough always gets my heart racing – plus the 1sthalf with the troops investigating the disappearance of the people from the facility is a classic piece of cinema. Also It’s A Wonderful Life – which no matter how many times I see it makes me cry…
What do you think is the most iconic cinema ad?
The horse- in-the surf ad for Guinness as it has a cinematic quality and it was directed by Jonathon Glazer (a guest at GFF14 with his film Under the Skin)
What are you most excited about for the rest of the year and what film are you most looking forward to?
I am very lucky in my position as I get to attend some film festivals and I think this year’s Toronto Film Festival will be really good. I’m also keen to share with GFT audiences the Palme d'Or winning film from Cannes Film Festival – which I loved - Parasite, directed by Bong Joon-ho.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Don’t worry it’ll be alright on the night…. (provided you plan the logistics)
More information about the Glasgow Film Theatre is available here.