Lynne Ramsay to be Honored with Cinema City Award at Glasgow Film Festival
Lynne Ramsay to Receive Cinema City Honorary Award
Acclaimed filmmaker Lynne Ramsay, known for her BAFTA-winning work, will be celebrated with the Cinema City Honorary Award at the upcoming 22nd Glasgow Film Festival (GFF). The award ceremony is scheduled for March 6, during a special event titled From Page to Pulse, which will be moderated by Glasgow's own Adura Onashile (Girl) as part of the festival's Industry Focus segment. This session aims to delve into Ramsay's unique approach to adaptation, as highlighted by festival organizers.
Lynne Ramsay's Cinematic Journey
Ramsay made her mark in the film industry with her debut feature 'Ratcatcher', filmed in Glasgow and released in 1999, which earned her a BAFTA for Outstanding Debut. Over the past thirty years, she has gained recognition for her striking visual storytelling and has directed notable films such as We Need to Talk About Kevin, Die My Love, and You Were Never Really Here. The Cinema City Honorary Award, established in 2024, acknowledges filmmakers who have significantly contributed to the world of cinema.
The award derives its name from Glasgow's historical title of "Cinema City," a label given in the 1930s when the city boasted the highest number of cinemas per capita in the U.K. Previous honorees include actors Viggo Mortensen and James McAvoy, also from Glasgow. Paul Gallagher, the head of programming at GFF, remarked, "Lynne Ramsay is among a select few filmmakers who possess the extraordinary ability to translate their unique visions onto the screen with precision." He added that her films have transformed perceptions of cinema's potential.
Samantha Bennett, the industry manager for GFF, expressed her excitement about welcoming such a talented individual to the Industry Focus program. The festival's lineup for 2026 will feature various stars and filmmakers, including McAvoy, who will be present at the closing gala for the U.K. premiere of his directorial debut, California Schemin', alongside cast members Samuel Bottomley, Seamus McLean Ross, and Lucy Halliday.
Glasgow Film Festival Highlights
Director Felipe Bustos Sierra (Nae Pasaran) will also return to the festival for the opening gala of Everybody to Kenmure Street, following the film's success at Sundance. Other notable filmmakers attending include Alice Winocour, Mark Jenkin, Polly Findlay, Marc Evans, Iain Forsyth, Jane Pollard, and Edinburgh's Sean Dunn, who will present his black comedy The Fall of Sir Douglas Weatherford. The 22nd Glasgow Film Festival is set to take place from February 25 to March 8, 2026.