Glasgow Film appoints new Chief Executive and Head of Programme

The Herald Scotland

6 days ago

Glasgow Film is an educational charity which runs Glasgow Film Theatre. It also runs the award-winning Glasgow Film Festival and Glasgow Youth Film Festival, and is the lead organisation for Film Hub Scotland.
Seonaid Daly said: 'I'm proud to take on the role of CEO at Glasgow Film, a place that has shaped both my career and my love of cinema. It's a huge privilege to be responsible for such an important institution and I'm very excited to play a key role in ensuring its future.
'Glasgow Film is in a really strong position thanks to all the staff, volunteers, different people and organisations who make up our vibrant communities, and of course Allison Gardner, whose leadership has been central to Glasgow Film's success.
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'I'm inspired by my brilliant colleagues, our dedicated partners, the filmmakers we work with, and our loyal audiences, who remind us daily, why our cinema means so much to them. There's always more to do to ensure everyone can see themselves on screen, explore creative careers, and feel at home in GFT. Cinema has the power to both reflect and shape the world around us and I believe deeply in the importance of open, inclusive cultural spaces, places where people feel welcome, inspired, and connected.'
Paul Gallagher said: 'I am thrilled to take on the responsibility and privilege of the new Head of Programme role at Glasgow Film. Over the past six years I have loved leading on the year-round programme at GFT: working with such a wide range of partners and receptive audiences has been an education in expanding my horizons and understanding the vital role that independent cinema can play in the lives of so many different people. I'm excited to take that experience and build on those relationships as I step up to lead the curatorial vision for GFT and GFF. I can't wait to work with Seonaid and the brilliant GFT and GFF Programme teams on what is an incredibly bright future for Glasgow Film.'
Allison Gardner, outgoing Chief Executive of Glasgow Film and Director of Glasgow Film Festival, said: 'I am delighted that Seonaid will be taking up the position of Chief Executive at Glasgow Film as I know she is passionate about our organisation and upholding our values. I know she will do an excellent job, working alongside our brilliant staff to continue to make Glasgow Film a vibrant and important cultural venue for film and talent.
Allison Gardner will retire in October from her dual role as Chief Executive of Glasgow Film and Director of Glasgow Film Festival (Image: Gordon Terris)
'Paul is an excellent appointment to make sure GFT and GFF continue to provide great cinema that is accessible to all. His programming work at GFT has been exceptional and, alongside the teams, has made our cinema the best in the world. I'm sad to be leaving after over 30 years but immensely proud to have worked here and helped to contribute to the success of GFT, GFF and our youth and community work. I retire knowing that our organisation is in good hands and will be celebrating Glasgow Film's future successes from afar.'
Sambrooke Scott, Head of Audience Development at Screen Scotland, said: 'Seonaid and Paul have each played a vital role in the success and growth of Glasgow Film in recent years and their appointments reflect the organisation's commitment to excellence and to developing talent within the Scottish screen exhibition sector.
'Under their leadership, the future of Glasgow Film is bright, and the GFT will continue to flourish as a vital home for cinema culture, a welcoming home to diverse audiences and filmmakers, and a driving force for independent cinema from Scotland and beyond. We congratulate them both and look forward to working with them closely.'