Scotland’s events: Melodrama on Film

As part of BFI FAN’s new season – Too Much: Melodrama on Film – film exhibitors across Scotland are screening films that are, shall we say, a little over the top.

This Autumn/Winter, catch bold programmes and tear-jerking titles at venues across Scotland.

What is Too Much: Melodrama on Film?

Too Much is presented by the BFI Film Audience Network. The season offers support to Film Hub members across the UK to celebrate cinema that is designed to make you break down in tears; cause a scene; fall in love.

The season will take place from October – December 2025 (non-theatrical members able to continue until January 2026). Applications to submit a Bespoke project are now closed. However, you have until 29 September to book one of the season’s unmissable Menu titles and access £125 in wraparound support, per film.

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Bespoke programmes

We are pleased to share the projects receiving bespoke support as part of this year’s season:

Glasgow Film Theatre
Too Much: Melodrama on Film | October – November

This October – November, Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) will offer audiences a chance to be overwhelmed by Melodrama. A central season of headline classics will be complemented by strands spotlighting Queer Hollywood Melodramas (‘What’s the Tea, Hollywood?’) and Mexican Melodramas (‘Stronger Than Love: ¡Too Much Mexican Melodrama!’, curated by Invisible Women).

A special CineMasters season will showcase adaptations of the work of Tennessee Williams, the undisputed godfather of pent-up emotion. Screenings will be complemented by a range of guest speaker introductions and discussions. Explore the programme.

International Film Festival Glasgow
Pedro Almodovar season | The Grosvenor Picture Theatre | October – November

International Film Festival Glasgow (IFFG) will present a showcase of melodramatic master, Pedro Almodovar, at the Grosvenor Picture Theatre this Autumn. They will trace Almodovar’s back catalogue from his early comedy years – with Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown – to an ascent into his golden melodrama age, with All About My Mother and Volver. The season will culminate with his first-ever English language film, 2024’s The Room Next Door.

General audience screenings will be offered alongside screenings for younger audiences. Plus, there will be post-film discussions on how Almodovar’s unique storytelling format and distinct style lends itself to melodrama. Explore the programme.

Offline (formerly GAMIS)
Breaking the Code: Melodrama, Race and Desire | November

This November, Offline will examine how melodrama both reinforces – and challenges – racial hierarchies. Breaking the Code will be programmed by two local emerging artist-curators, Aqsa Arif and Kialy Tihngang. They will be mentored by acclaimed artist-filmmaker, Michelle Gamaker Williams. Rarely-seen classic melodrama, Temptation (1946), will be the lynchpin of the festival. Around this film, mentees will programme screenings of features, contemporary artists’ shorts, a Q&A and an interactive workshop on Imitation of Life (1959). More info coming soon.

Screen Argyll
Joan Crawford touring film programme | October – December | Argyll and the Isles

Communities across Argyll and the Isles will take part in melodrama-themed events this Autumn, thanks to Screen Argyll. They will celebrate the queen of melodrama, Joan Crawford, with a touring programme of three classic titles: Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, Mildred Pierce, and Johnny Guitar.

Screen Argyll will support community venues to show the films, offering reduced license costs, tailored marketing materials, an illustrated talk, film notes and engagement resources (such as bingo and menu cards!). Ultimately, the programme aims to connect local communities through themed events centred on melodrama. More info coming soon. 

Menu titles

Film Hub Scotland members have chosen Menu titles from the season to add a touch of melodrama to their existing programmes.

Hawick Film Group
Hawick | October – December

Hawick Film Group has been bringing local people together for unique, community-driven film screenings since 1964. As part of Too Much: Melodrama on Film, they will screen three Menu titles: All That Heaven Allows; The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant (1972) and Brief Encounter (1945).

Out of the Blue Arts & Education Trust
Edinburgh | Sunday, 14 December

Out of the Blue, a community arts space in Edinburgh, will show All That Heaven Allows (1955) as part of their Freeze Frame season. Freeze Frame – a film & food event based in the historic Drill Hall – will showcase a range of films, from black and white Hollywood gems to future classics, and everything in between! Learn more.

The Hippdrome
Bo’ness | October

The Hippodrome – Scotland’s oldest cinema – will present Brief Encounters alongside an introduction by film historian Professor Charles Barr (Emeritus Professor, School of Media, Language and Communication Studies, University of East Anglia). Barr will also produce a blog exploring Melodrama’s love affair with trains and railways. This coincides with Railway 200’s exhibition train, Inspiration, stopping at Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway on Monday, 13 October and Tuesday, 14 October – one of only five stops in Scotland. Get tickets here.

View UK-wide listings for Too Much: Melodrama on Film at: bfi.org.uk/too-much.