Glasgow Film Festival 2025 Audience Award Winner Announced
The prestigious Audience Award at the Glasgow Film Festival 2025, sponsored by Mubi, has been awarded to Brian Durnin’s poignant drama Spilt Milk. This year’s festival marked a memorable 21st edition, showcasing an impressive lineup of talent including James McAvoy, Toni Collette, Tim Roth, Jessica Lange, and Ed Harris.
Star-Studded Appearances and Premieres
The festival attracted a diverse array of stars to Scotland, notably Japanese musician and actress Koki and Shogun star Takehiro Hira, who were in attendance for the world premiere of the gripping Scottish survival thriller Tornado. Furthermore, Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill made an appearance at the premiere of the sports documentary Hill. Toni Collette was an unexpected guest for the 30th-anniversary screening of her iconic film Muriel’s Wedding.
Focusing on Austrian Cinema and More
As the largest annual cinema event in Scotland, this year’s festival also featured a prominent focus on Austrian films. The programming showcased a wide range of narratives, from satirical examinations of rent-a-friend services and the influence of the wealthy to poignant explorations of generational poverty and a mockumentary addressing the climate crisis. The festival concluded with the world premiere of Make It to Munich, a documentary by Scottish filmmaker Martyn Robertson, capturing the lead-up to the Euro 2024 soccer tournament.
Documentary Spotlight: Ethan Walker’s Journey
Set against the backdrop of the tournament, Make It to Munich chronicles the journey of Ethan Walker, a promising teenage footballer hailing from Aberdeenshire. Just months into his soccer scholarship in the United States, Ethan faces life-altering injuries from a severe road accident. “Aided in his recovery by pioneering Glasgow surgeon Professor Gordon Mackay, Ethan makes the bold decision to cycle from Hampden to Munich for Scotland’s opening match against Germany in Euro 2024—only nine months post-accident,” the synopsis states.
A Winning Narrative: Spilt Milk
Spilt Milk captures the essence of 1980s Dublin, following the young Bobby (Cillian Sullivan) who aspires to be a detective, inspired by his television idol Kojak. Teaming up with his friend Nell (Naoise Kelly), they embark on their most significant investigation after Bobby’s brother Oisin (Lewis Brophy) mysteriously disappears. The film compellingly portrays the challenging realities of addiction through the innocent perspective of childhood.
Honorable Mentions and Farewell to a Festival Leader
The runner-up for the Audience Award was the German comedy Two to One, directed by Natja Brunckhorst and featuring Sandra Hüller. This year’s festival was particularly significant as it marked the final event for Allison Gardner, the departing CEO and festival director of Glasgow Film. Gardner expressed her appreciation, stating, “Being part of Glasgow Film Festival has been the most fun, rewarding, and brilliant time over the last 21 years… I have met some wonderful filmmakers and guests, and witnessed audiences fall in love with films that have changed their lives for the better.”