Film director says Glasgow creatives need more opportunities

Gary Hewitt, a former pupil at Paisley Grammar School, first burst onto the scene in 2018 with his debut feature Cleek, before releasing his short film Mia – which won Best British Film, Best Film, and the IAC Diamond Award at the British International Amateur ​Film Festival (BIAFF). 

However, as his career has gone from strength to strength, Gary has found that more filmmakers in Glasgow and beyond are struggling to find a home for their own work. 

(Image: Gary Hewitt on the right. Picture credit: Sonja Blietschau) The 36-year-old, from Cardonald, said: “There is a huge amount of creativity in Glasgow, especially with the working class. They have some really interesting stories to tell. 

“But there is just not enough funding in the UK in general and there are so many inspiring creatives, but they don’t have a home for their work. 

“I see so many people making films, but nowhere to showcase them.”

Some places in Glasgow that provide a platform for low-budget, amateur films include the Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT), the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA), and the Glasgow Media Access Centre (GMAC).

Gary went on to say that the likes of GMAC – who he has worked with for the last five years – guided him through his filmmaking journey. 

(Image: Picture credit: Sonja Blietschau) Gary decided to enter the world of TV and film after being inspired by his media class in school. 

He explained: “I did media as a school subject at Paisley Grammar School. I got into film theatre and how to make film and TV from there and decided to go to college for it. 

“We would go out with the kit at the weekend and make our own projects. That was a time when social media and Facebook groups were a big thing, so I was able to find people looking for their next project.”

(Image: Picture credit: Sonja Blietschau) Gary recently celebrated his latest film, The Defender, which was picked up by STV Player back in November 2024. 

The movie – which follows a vigilante who comes face to face with her demons while tracking down criminals tied to her past – was developed during COVID-19. 

“I wanted something gritty to sink my teeth into,” Gary explained. 

The film has already scooped up five awards, including Best Feature Film at the Eastern Europe Film Festival and Indie Movies Spark Film Festival.

Speaking on the film being selected for STV Player, Gary said: “I feel so fortunate that they have taken on the project.

“But again, there are other people who are making art but are struggling to find the platform to show it.”

Gary will be working on some bigger projects in the new year after three of his screenplays were sold to different companies in the UK and America.