James McAvoy’s Directorial Debut to Close Glasgow Film Festival
Shot across several Scottish locations—including the duo’s hometown of Dundee and Glasgow’s iconic Barrowland Ballroom—the film will receive its UK premiere at the Glasgow Film Theatre on 8 March, marking the finale of the festival’s 21st edition. The full programme is expected in January.
James McAvoy’s first feature as a director, California Schemin’, will close next year’s Glasgow Film Festival. The film retells the remarkable true story of Scottish rap hopefuls Silibil N’ Brains, who reinvented themselves as Californian artists in a bold attempt to land a record deal.
Shot across several Scottish locations—including the duo’s hometown of Dundee and Glasgow’s iconic Barrowland Ballroom—the film will receive its UK premiere at the Glasgow Film Theatre on 8 March, marking the finale of the festival’s 21st edition. The full programme is expected in January.
McAvoy, known for his roles in the X-Men franchise, previously received the Cinema City Honorary Award at the festival in 2025. He expressed his excitement about bringing the film home, saying:
“We made our film in Glasgow and Dundee with the support of a phenomenal Scottish cast and crew, so it feels fitting that we bring it back for its UK premiere. California Schemin’ is an unbelievable true story about identity, ambition, fame and the sacrifices you’re willing to make to achieve your dreams. It’s a wild ride, and I can’t wait to share it with festival audiences in March.”
A documentary on the same story was released in 2013. Rap partners Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd, whose aspirations were dismissed by industry executives, adopted American personas and lived the deception for three years. During that time, they secured a record deal with Sony, appeared on MTV, partied with Madonna and even toured the UK with Eminem.
The new film features Séamus McLean Ross as Bain and Samuel Bottomley as Boyd.
Paul Gallagher, the festival’s head of programme, said: “I’m thrilled that we will close GFF26 with the UK premiere of a homegrown story that fully deserves its place on the world stage. James McAvoy has poured his heart and soul into California Schemin’, and the results are clear on screen—huge emotions, hilarious characters, standout performances, and a Barrowlands finale that brings the house down.”
The film was produced by Glasgow-based Blazing Griffin and supported by the National Lottery through Screen Scotland’s Film Development and Production Fund. The Glasgow Film Festival runs from 25 February to 8 March.