Documentary about Kenmure Street protest to open Glasgow Film Festival

A documentary about the day hundreds of Glasgow residents blocked an immigration enforcement van has been chosen as the opening film of the Glasgow Film Festival’s 22nd edition.

The film, Everybody to Kenmure Street, will have its UK premiere at the Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) on Wednesday, directed by BAFTA-winner Felipe Bustos Sierra.

In May 2021, a UK Home Office dawn raid in Glasgow’s southside district of Pollokshields prompted residents to take to the streets to stop the deportation of their neighbours.

The documentary, executive-produced by two-time Oscar winner Emma Thompson, uses crowd-sourced footage from the day alongside archive film and set-designed scenes, with actors relaying verbatim the testimonies of contributors who wished to remain anonymous.

Bustos Sierra’s debut documentary, Nae Pasaran, told the story of how East Kilbride Rolls Royce factory workers helped end Pinochet’s regime in 1970s Chile, and had its world premiere as the closing gala of Glasgow Film Festival in 2018.

Speaking ahead of the premiere, Bustos Sierra said: “This film is a snapshot of a day, of a neighbourhood, and of gestures repeated through time, for the right to have a voice and to live in peace.

“Glasgow’s long history of civil disobedience and meaningful change has been a barometer throughout the making of this film. I cannot wait to watch it at the GFT with its hometown audience, for whom we can only hope it’ll be a joyful reminder of what a beacon they can be in uncertain times.”

Paul Gallagher, Head of Programme for Glasgow Film Festival, said: “I’m delighted that Felipe Bustos Sierra will be returning to GFF to open our festival with this hugely inspiring film.

“Everybody to Kenmure Street tells a story that is pertinent for the whole world right now, focusing on a very specific moment in Glasgow’s recent past to offer a deeply moving vision of community action and resistance to injustice.

“With this film Felipe has captured an essential aspect of Glasgow’s people-loving heart; I can’t wait to share his vision with the world.”

The film features an original score by Barry Burns of Mogwai and was supported by the National Lottery through Screen Scotland.

Lawyer Aamer Anwar said: “Chronicling the events of that summer day, filmmaker Felipe Bustos Sierra has made a much-needed and beautiful tribute and portrayal of the inherent ability of mankind to fight for freedom.

“The people of Pollokshields showed us the power of resistance, when they occupied their community in defence of their neighbours and by doing so they gave us hope and inspiration.”

Everybody to Kenmure Street will be in UK and Irish cinemas from 13 March 2026, released by Conic.