THE Glasgow Film Festival has officially come to an end with the world premiere of a Scottish documentary.
The 21st edition of the leading film festival finished on Sunday with the world premiere of Make It To Munich, which follows Aberdeenshire teenage footballer Ethan Walker's remarkable cycle from Hampden to Munich for the opening match at the Euros following a near-fatal car crash in America.
He travelled with his surgeon Professor Gordon Mackay, director Martyn Robertson and Tartan Army member Stephen Collie – even arriving on the red carpet via bike.
"It was a total privilege but it was a challenge because I'm a filmmaker, I was cycling, I was a participant – I couldn't avoid being on camera."
The result of the game ultimately didn't matter to the team, as Robertson added: "The best result of the Euros was Ethan Walker's success."
Ethan told The National he was "thrilled to be here and to celebrate the film in Glasgow."
Talking about his favourite part of the journey, he said: "Seeing the countryside, seeing new things and being out was just amazing, I loved it."
Ethan has since started coaching at Longside FC, the team he was training with before he moved to America for a football scholarship.
Following its world premiere at the Glasgow Film Festival, Make it to Munich will be released in cinemas from May 16.
Household names to have walked the red carpet included James McAvoy, Martin Compston, Tim Roth, Jessica Lange, Ed Harris, Toni Collette, George Mackay, Koki, Takehiro Hira and Damon Hill.
Spilt Milk, directed by Brian Durnin, was crowned the winner of the award. In 1980s Dublin, 11-year-old Bobby (Cillian Sullivan) dreams of being a detective, just like his TV idol, Kojak.
Offering to hunt down lost items on his housing estate with the help of his pal Nell (Naoise Kelly), the pair begin their biggest case after Bobby's brother Oisin (Lewis Brophy) goes missing.
Their hunt takes them into the dangerous underbelly of the housing estate where they live, as the harsh realities of addiction are presented through a child’s eyes.
The Audience Award runner-up was German comedy Two to One, starring double-Oscar nominee Sandra Huller.
McAvoy spoke at a special In Conversation event prior to receiving the award, where he talked about the importance of making the film industry more accessible to working class people.
The actor also told The National about the Scottish actors he'd most like to work with, and gave a hilarious reaction to his surprise appearance at the Baftas.
The inaugural Cinema City Honorary Award was given at last year's festival to Lord of the Rings star Viggo Mortensen.
Festival-goers and staff also said farewell to Glasgow Film Festival director Allison Gardner, who has been at Glasgow Film for more than 30 years.
Gardner said: “Being part of Glasgow Film Festival has been the most fun, rewarding and brilliant time over the last 21 years.
“I have met some wonderful filmmakers and guests over the years and witnessed audiences fall in love with films that have changed their lives for the better.
“I will miss the rush of excitement when an audience takes a film to their hearts and no other festival in the world has better audiences, however it is time to hand the baton over.
“I’m immensely proud that the film festival lives by the ethos of GFT and that we uphold ‘Cinema For All’.”
The Glasgow Film Festival will return for its 22nd edition next year, with dates to be announced soon.
