French Drama ‘A Place For Her’ Wins Audience Award At Glasgow Film Festival As Event Wraps With James McAvoy’s ‘California Schemin’
Mélisa Godet’s debut feature A Place For Her has won the Audience Award at the Glasgow Film Festival, which wrapped on March 8.
The French drama, which was voted for from a selection of 10 films in the strand from first or second-time directors, follows a dedicated doctor and her team striving to keep their women’s shelter open and to help women heal from abuse.
The festival wrapped on Sunday with the UK premiere of James McAvoy’s directorial debut California Schemin’. Inspired by the true story of aspiring Dundee rap duo, Silibil N’Brains – aka Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd. Determined to escape regional prejudice and realise their dream of scoring a record deal, they hatch a daring plan to reinvent themselves as a self-confident pair of American MCs. But as fame beckons, they find their friendship pushed to the limit.
McAvoy was joined on the Glasgow Film Festival red carpet by the film’s stars Samuel Bottomley, Séamus McLean Ross, Lucy Halliday, Rebekah Murrell and Bain.
On the same day the beloved festival wrapped, the city saw a huge fire cause a building to collapse right next to Glasgow Central, Scotland’s busiest rail station. The fire, which was believed to have started in a vape shop on Union Street, spread through a B-listed Victorian building right next to Glasgow Central Station.
GFF’s closing party was expected to take place at the Voco Grand Central Hotel at the station and organizers quickly pivoted to move to Berlinkys, an alternate venue. Trains from Glasgow are expected to stay closed through Tuesday, with some festival attendees forced to find alternate routes home.
GFF’s Industry Focus strand also announced its Talent Lab winners with the Funny Features Curzon Creates prize going to Pont Brec by Damian Evans, Briony Redman and Kate Heggie. The Animatic Features prize went to Flavio by Kristina Tsenova while the Animatic TV prize went to Skinners by Ashley Dick. The Animatics Shorts winner was Eat With Your Eyes by Jenny Jokela while an Animatic Special Mention went to A Boy and His Dog by Brady.
The 22nd edition of the Glasgow Film Festival took place from February 25 to March, 2026. The event hosted 126 films across 12 days, including 16 World, European and International premieres.
“After a whirlwind 12 days of buzzing audiences, sold out shows, inspiring guests and unforgettable big-screen experience, I’m even more excited about the future of film here in Scotland and around the world,” said GFF Head of Program Paul Gallagher. “From our electric Opening Gala with Everybody to Kenmure Street to the riotous Closing Gala celebration of California Schemin’, we have witnessed cinema that connects, startles, provokes and enthrals. I can’t wait to do it again in 12 months time.”
McAvoy added: “It’s a real honor to be here with California Schemin’ to close this year’s Glasgow Film Festival at the GFT. Bringing the film home to a Scottish audience and celebrating it in such an iconic cinema makes the moment incredibly special for all of us who made it.”
Audience Award winner Godet said: “It is a great honor and a great joy for me that this film, so dear to my heart, is receiving the Audience Award. When you have the privilege of making a film like this one, you dream that it might touch people’s hearts. It seems that is indeed the case here at the Glasgow Film Festival.
“And on this day, the 8th of March, International Women’s Rights Day, this award takes on a very special meaning. So, today, I think of all the women around the world who are fighting for their rights, for their safety, for their freedom. And I think of all those, women and men, who support them in this fight, who help them rise again. Thank you so very much. Long live women! Long live cinema! And all those who love them!”
