'Powerful and poignant' film Girl set and made in Glasgow to premiere at Glasgow Film Festival 2023

A “powerful and poignant” film which was shot and set in Glasgow is gearing up to have its UK premiere in the city.

Girl, which tells the story of an 11-year-old girl and her mother trying to rebuild their life, has been chosen to open this year’s Glasgow Film Festival (GFF).

The movie will screen at the event on March 1, after receiving its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival later this month.

Starring French actor Deborah Lukumuena and 12-year-old Le’Shantey Bonsu, Girl tells the story of Grace and her 11-year-old daughter Ama as they try to make a new life for themselves in Scotland’s largest city.

Traumatised by her past, Grace just wants to keep her daughter safe from harm and Ama is told to trust nobody.

When Ama becomes friends with a classmate, it only adds to Grace’s anxiety and fear that their special bond is under threat.

Billed as an “atmospheric and poignant tale of what it takes to escape the legacy of violence and trust in the future”, Girl marks Glasgow-based writer-director Onashile as a new voice in Scottish cinema.

Directed by Adura Onashile, the film has been made with support from the BFI, through the award of National Lottery funding, as well as BBC Film and Screen Scotland.

Allison Gardner, co-director of the Glasgow Film Festival, 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.”

Isabel Davis, executive director at Screen Scotland, said: “Adura Onashile’s debut feature is an exceptionally fine choice to open this year’s GFF.

“Set and made in Glasgow, this evocative and poignant examination of a mother-daughter relationship establishes Adura as a hugely exciting film talent.

“Screen Scotland is very glad to have been part of her journey, including through our support of Girl. We congratulate Adura, along with her producers, Rosie Crerar and Ciara Barry, on being selected as Glasgow’s opening film.”

Tickets for Girl will go on sale at midday on January 16 here, with the festival itself running from March 1 to 16 at the Glasgow Film Theatre and venues across the city.

The full programme will be announced on January 25.