Glasgow Filmmakers Alliance

The Glasgow Filmmakers Alliance (GFA) is an online directory listing individuals and companies who are associated with film and television production in and around the city of Glasgow in Scotland. It was founded in 2011 by Scottish actor Andrew O'Donnell and Chris Quick, a Scottish film editor.[1]

Glasgow Filmmakers Alliance
AbbreviationGFA
Formation2011
TypeNon Profit Organisation
Purpose"Supports and promotes professionals working in the film and television industry in Glasgow"
Region served
Glasgow, Scotland
Director
Chris Quick
Deputy Director
Vacant
Websiteglasowfilm.co.uk

History

The idea of the directory came about during the filming of In Search of La Che when Quick felt there was no central place to find professional talent both in front and behind the camera.[2] Soon after filming finished, he discussed the idea with O'Donnell and the pair launched what would become the Glasgow Filmmakers Alliance on 31 October 2011.

Andrew O'Donnell reunited with Chris Quick in October 2021 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Glasgow Filmmakers Alliance.

In 2012, the alliance was invited by Stephen Paton of Production Attic to form what would become the Glasgow Creative Network which hosts networking events for media professionals in Glasgow.

A supporter of independent film, Quick led a campaign to get the British Academy Scotland New Talent Awards recognised by IMDB stating that 'they represented the best of emerging Scottish talent'. The campaign was successful and the awards were introduced to the site later that year. He later repeated this success with the inclusion of the Virgin Media Short Awards after the first double win by Scottish director John McPhail.[3][4]

In 2014, Quick and O'Donnell wrote an open letter on behalf of the independent filmmakers of Glasgow to the director of BAFTA Scotland, Jude MacLaverty. In the letter, the pair asked the film body to consider a proposal of including three new awards at the annual ceremony aimed at low budget / independent filmmakers.[5] On 28 October it was announced that the proposal would be placed on the agenda of the next Bafta Scotland Committee meeting in December 2014.[6][7]

On 2 April 2015, the BAFTA Scotland committee released their response to the proposals put forward by the Glasgow Filmmakers Alliance.[8]

In March 2017, O'Donnell and Quick both signed the open letter to the Arts Council, England, objecting to the organisations decision not to renew the visa for American born actor Tyler Collins.[9]

In May 2019, O'Donnell announced his departure from the organisation and was succeeded by Quick with Gary McLellan taking on the role of deputy.[10]

On 31 December 2021, McLellan stood down as Deputy Director.[11]

Film funding

The alliance has financially contributed small amounts to various films in and around Glasgow.[12][13] Below is a list of some projects it has supported.

  • A Fire Within
  • Bad Blood
  • Boys Night
  • Bridge
  • Bunny
  • By The Bay
  • Camp Abercorn[Note 1]
  • Crime
  • Custodian
  • Exodus 21:24
  • Fertility Daze
  • Fractured Minds
  • Frank[14]
  • In The Fall
  • Killing Me Softly With Her Love
  • Murphy's Birthday
  • Promenade
  • Ribbons
  • Sundown
  • The Naiads
  • The Outsider
  • A Practical Guide To A Spectacular Suicide
  • Tellurian
  • The Gaelic King
  • The River Runs Red
  • Turning Tide
  • Wait
  • Wild Is The North
  • Wonderland

Directors & Deputy Directors

Directors
No. Image Name Tenure Duration
1Andrew O'Donnell31 October 2011 - 30 June 20197 years, 242 days
2Chris Quick1 July 2019 - Incumbent4 years, 116 days

Deputy Directors
No. Image Name Tenure Duration
1Chris Quick31 October 2011 - 30 June 20197 years, 242 days
2Gary McLellan1 July 2019 - 31 December 20212 years, 183 days

Notes
  1. American project but starred Glasgow actor Declan Michael Laird

References
  1. Glasgow Filmmakers Alliance Info Column
  2. Movies Scramble: An Interview with Chris Quick Part 2
  3. Chris Quick IMDB Biography & Trivia
  4. HD Warrior Blog
  5. Glasgow Filmmakers Alliance Open Letter to Bafta Scotland Archived 24 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  6. Glasgow Filmmakers Alliance Media Release
  7. "Filmmakers in awards category call". Glasgow Evening Times. 31 October 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  8. "BAFTA Scotland response to Glasgow Filmmakers Alliance Proposals" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 July 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  9. Open Letter to English Arts Council
  10. "New chief for Glasgow film unit". Glasgow Herald Newspaper. 10 May 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  11. GFA News Gary McLellan to step down as Deputy Director of Glasgow Filmmakers Alliance
  12. Glasgow Filmmakers Alliance Indiegogo Profile
  13. Glasgow Filmmakers Alliance Kickstarter Profile
  14. Frank Web Series Official Site
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