Profile

In 2025, IFFG marks its 12th edition and opens a new chapter—stepping into our second decade of championing new talent. We connect audiences, filmmakers and industry professionals, build a living education platform for independent cinema, and amplify underrepresented voices.

This edition celebrates our growth and our commitment to an open, inclusive and accessible festival, inviting everyone to discover independent cinema from around the world. IFFG is presented by World of Film, a non‑profit bringing audiences closer to international independent cinema and supporting emerging artists.

Join us this November as we come together to exchange ideas, showcase new work and dive into the evolving conversation around independent film.

Our focus remains global and independent across three core strands: First Features, Female Perspectives and Focus on Balkan Cinema. We also return with the 8th Animation Day in Glasgow (in collaboration with Animaze, Glasgow Life, The Grosvenor Picture Theatre and partners) and an expanded education platform—screenings and workshops for youth and under‑16s, masterclasses, talks, panels, curated programmes for children and students, networking, Q&As and more.

Competitions

  • First Feature Film Competition
  • Best Short Film Competition
  • Feature in the Female Perspectives Competition
  • Best Short Film in Female Perspectives Competition
  • Best Feature Film: Focus on Balkan Cinema
  • Best Short Film: Focus on Balkan Cinema
  • Best Animation

In more detail, the IFFG 2025 programme will include the following sections (please check regularly the website for news and updates):

  • First Feature Competition: Successful submissions from first feature film directors.
  • The Female Perspectives: Films with powerful female representation, from women creators, to 50%+ female crews, empowering on-screen representation by women actors.
  • Focus on Balkan Cinema: A selection of short and feature films from Eastern European countries, with communities and current topics from those regions in the spotlight.
  • Special Screenings (Out of Competition): A selection of films from the festival circuit.
  • Animation programme as part of the 8th Animation Day in Glasgow, with animation for adult audiences, as well as under 16s and school education screenings & workshops.
  • Reel Tasty: Our food and film experiences, where audiences can enjoy gastronomic creations matched with short and feature films and embark on a unique, interactive journey of senses.
  • Youth programming: Film programmes and specially curated workshops for youth, stimulating engagement with younger audiences (under 16 years of age).