Nights out in Glasgow

Glasgow Film Theatre

Founded in 1974, The Glasgow Film Theatre has an established reputation as one of most commercially viable independent cinemas in the UK, specialising in international, alternative and classic cinema. This specialist arts cinema plays an integral part in Glasgow’s eclectic cultural and arts arena, offering movie aficionados a cinematic carousel of film, documentaries, video and television throughout the year, showcasing around 450 screenings between its 2 refurbished movie theatres.

Commonly referred to as the GFT, this critically acclaimed cinema is housed in a listed art deco building in Rose Street adjacent to Sauchiehall Street in the heart of Glasgow’s lively entertainment district. The building was completed in 1939 and opened its doors to the public as The Cosmo, Scotland’s premier arts continental cinema. Many years later in 1974, The Cosmo ceased to function and was sold to the Scottish Film Council who subsequently re-opened it as the Glasgow Film Theatre that year. The cinema has been a Mecca for film and theatre studies students and international cinema fanatics ever since.

The GFT comprises two movie theatres, Cinema 1 holding a capacity of 404 and the much smaller Cinema 2 which can accommodate upto 142 people, the latter being built in 1991. Although the newest addition to the cinema, Cinema 2 was designed to blend harmoniously with the rest of the interior and has distinctive post-art deco nuances in its elaborate design. On any given night of the week, film buffs can catch an exciting programme of screenings, most of which are not screened elsewhere and often shown for the first time in the UK.

From world-class French cinema to old classics and children’s cinema, The GFT appeals to varying tastes in cinema and certainly warrants a visit during your stay in Glasgow. This ever-popular movie theatre is renowned for offering patrons cheap tickets at selected screenings, some of which are as little as £3. It also plays a significant role in Glasgow’s dynamic festival programme, showcasing events and screenings for the recently formed Glasgow International Film Festival as well as comedy films as part of the Miller Glasgow International Comedy Festival every March.

Prior to catching a movie at the GFT, patrons have the opportunity to relax and socialise in the fully licensed café-bar known as Café Cosmo, stylishly designed to evoke the ambience of its former Cosmo days. Light meals are served upto 5pm and the café is opened upto 9pm before late screenings commence. For an alternative evening of world-class cinema, why not savour the ultimate cinematic experience at the Glasgow Film Theatre, less than 5 minutes walk from the Charing Cross Guesthouse in nearby Renfrew Street.

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