THE UK’S second biggest film festival will get underway this week in Glasgow.

Around 40,000 visitors will enjoy a packed programme of cinema from past and present, as well as live music and school disco showdowns at venues all over the city.

Allison Gardner, co-director of the Glasgow Film Festival, promises a programme of events to “inspire, educate and entertain” audiences.

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The festival will officially get underway on Wednesday with cult movie director Wes Anderson’s latest release Isle of Dogs, and will close with Nae Pasaran, which tells the story of a group of workers at the Rolls Royce factory in East Kilbride.

Allison Gardner said: “When the festival started in 2005, we were bringing in around 4,000 people - now its ten times that amount.

“The main thing is making sure it is accessible to everyone, whether that’s in the price of the tickets or the venue.

“In other festival likes Cannes, you can’t just go if you’re a member of the public but we don’t want ours to be like that.

"We want everyone to able to come along and experience something which is why our prices are competitive and we have free screenings.

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“We have a fabulous team - so it's a team effort. We’re very lucky because the Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) team is also the Glasgow Film Festival Team.

"Essentially the festival our big moment to show off what we’ve been doing all year.

“We want to say 'look how good Glasgow is and look how many great films are here from across the world'. The GFT is a beacon of light in today’s darkness.”

For the full programme go to www,.glasgowfilm.org/glasgow-film-festival

Festival director's top picks:

GFT, 10.30am, every day.

“We will be showing classic film every day for free at 10.30am. We’ll be films with real anti-heroes like Rebel Heroes, Cool Hand Luke, Jailhouse Rock.”

The Cured, February 27, GFT

“As part of our look into Ireland, we will be screening The Cured, a brilliant low-budget zombie film with a difference, set in a Dublin that has survived a zombie plague. Director David Freyne and actor Sam Keeley will attend the screening on Tuesday February 27.”

Nae Pasaran, Sunday 4 March, GFT

“For our closing gala, we’ll be focusing closer to home with Nae Pasaran which tells the story of a group of workers at the Rolls Royce factory in East Kilbride in 1974 who showed their support for the people of Chili by refusing to carry out vital repairs of engines for Hawker Hunter planes, which had been used during the brutal military coup in September 1973.”

Working Girl, Friday 23, Former College of Building and Printing.

“You forget how good this film really is, Melanie Griffith is just amazing. We’ll be holding the ultimate throwback evening with ‘80s themed cocktails, playing the best ‘80s hits – and there’s even a hair stylist on hand.”

Margaret Tait Award – Sarah Forrest, February 26, GFT

“We’ll be celebrating the centenary of the birth of Scottish filmmaker Margaret Tait so we’ll be screening the World premiere of Margaret Tait Award winner Sarah Forrest’s new film, inspired by the prophetic phenomenon of ‘second sight’ that is particular to Scotland’s Highlands and Islands.”

School Disco: Clueless v Gregory’s Girl, Wednesday 28, SWG3

“If you don’t like Clueless - there’s something wrong with you! We’ll be showing it and Gregory’s Girl and then holding a GFF School Disco in the TV Studio with paper garlands, balloons, a conga line and prizes for cheesiest costume and best moves.”