Havana Glasgow Film Festival (HGFF), born in 2014, showcases Cuban cinema and culture within Havana’s twin city of Glasgow, Scotland.
The festival celebrates local identities and cultures, highlighting the similarities between Havana and Glasgow and the thriving artistic talent that exists within both cities.
HGFF screens the best Cuban documentary, feature and short films , facilitate discussions and host dynamic cultural events, both in-person and online. We have unique access to Cuban films in the UK through our partnership with the Cuban Film Institute (ICAIC).
Our 2025 Havana Glasgow Film Festival, our 10th Anniversary, will take place from Tues 11 – Sun 16 November at CCA Glasgow and GFT.
Festival Team
Eirene Houston – Festival Director/Curator
What makes the Festival possible is Eirene’s 25+ years commitment to Cuba, her strong relationship with the Cuban Film Institute (ICAIC) and long term working partnership with Hugo Rivalta.
A screenwriter and director, her debut feature ‘Day of the Flowers’ (shot in Cuba) was screened at Edinburgh Film Festival and Havana’s International Film Festival. She has recently finished a feature documentary Life is Dance with Festival co director Hugo Rivalta.
Eirene is also a curation advisor and works across a range of education and filmmaking projects internationally.
Hugo Rivalta – Co-Director/Curator
Based in Havana, Hugo is a top TV writer, filmmaker and journalist. Most recently his series for adolescents ‘Secondary Days’ – 45 episodes – has been shown on Cuban Television. He is also screenwriter of a new horror short film, ‘Rumour’. His original animation feature ‘The Super’, produced by ICAIC, is currently in post production.
Julia Harriman – Coordinator
A freelance Project Manager and Creative Producer in the creative industries and nonprofit sector, Julia has over 20 years experience managing festivals, events and global education projects in the UK and Latin America. She is Co-Founder and previous Director of the social enterprise La Choza Chula on the coast of Guatemala.
Dani Acosta – Graphic Designer/Web Developer
Dani Acosta is a filmmaker, digital media designer, and web developer. He is the founder of DaniFilms and has produced several documentaries focused on climate change, healthcare, and environmental issues. His latest documentary, Cuban Bees: The Organic Revolution, has been shown worldwide at over 20 film festivals in 2024 and has received 4 awards.
Isabella Sheridan-Moore – Digital Media Officer
An emerging creative producer, Isabella (she/her) is committed to developing and delivering inclusive and thought-provoking creative programmes. With experience spanning the creative and public sectors in so-called ‘Australia’, Isabella has produced the international collaboration Ngubitj, Samgooan, Water – Songs, Stories and Connection, supported queer playwrights, assisted on festivals and supported emerging artists.
Dougie Souness – Photographer
Dougie Souness is a Scottish photographer based in Glasgow, with a passion for Cuba and photographing the people and landscapes of the country. Dougie is also well known for his artist management role at music company No Half Measures, who work with the groups Wet Wet Wet, Hue and Cry, Red Sky July and Anchor Lane. Dougie’s music photography has been used in numerous album releases and publications whilst his underwater, street, and landscape photography has received international recognition.
His images exhibited as part of I See Cuba, HGFF20, a photography collaboration celebrating the 500th anniversary of the founding of Havana with Roberto Chile can be viewed and bought here.
Craig Williams – Interpreter and Events Producer
A professional journalist, currently working for The Herald, Craig is also a Spanish speaker and interprets at our events. Craig also contributes to the Festival as a DJ (he runs his own nights under the label A Cut Above) and event organiser.
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Advisory Board
Rodrigo Vázquez-Salessi
Since graduating from the National Film & TV School in 1998, Rodrigo Vázquez Salessi has been making films for the most important international broadcasters as a free-lance producer, director, and cameraman, making investigative and observational documentaries. Rodrigo has extensive experience operating in war zones and conflict areas, particularly in Latin America and the Middle East. His work on the frontline received the prestigious Rory Peck Award for Features in 2003 and was nominated again in 2007 and 2019.
Mary Alexander
Mary recently retired as Deputy Regional Secretary for Unite the Union in Scotland. With a background in the finance sector, she has extensive experience in trade union leadership and advocacy. Mary is a lifelong trade unionist, socialist, and feminist, committed to advancing workers’ rights and social justice.
Gill Davies
Gill Davies is a Glasgow-based multimedia producer. Her company GDP produces radio, podcasts, audio tours, short films and immersive art for clients including the BBC and National Galleries of Scotland.
Lesley Atkins
Lesley is an experienced International Education Officer and External expert with a demonstrated history of working in the education management industry.
Janice Smith
With a background in Learning & Development in both the private and public sectors, Janice has led all kinds of projects – from training programmes to large-scale events across the UK & Spain. A steward of the arts, Janice is passionate about cinema that tells bold stories, and reflects real social and political issues.