A SCOTTISH film festival will celebrate 60 years of Cuban cinema this year.

Havana Glasgow Film Festival (HGFF) returns for its fifth year, celebrating the twinned cities’ shared passion for cinema, music and politics with a vibrant programme of film, discussion, workshops and social events.

The 2019 programme marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the ICAIC – Cuba’s institute for cinema – which enabled and nurtured a new era for the industry on the island.

A central focus will be the work of Tomás Gutiérrez Alea – a pioneering Cuban filmmaker who was instrumental in earning Cuban cinema international recognition. His award-winning Strawberry and Chocolate was a groundbreaking film in liberalising Cuban attitudes towards homosexuality.

Up To A Certain Point is a sharp satire on machismo in Cuban society and 1960s black comedy Death Of A Bureaucrat pokes fun at Communist bureaucracy.

HGFF will pay tribute to the work of Titon, as he was affectionately known, with the screening of a documentary about his life.

“I’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to pay tribute to this icon, not just of Cuban cinema but of World Cinema,” says Eirene Houston, HGFF Director.

“The 60th anniversary of ICAIC and our 5th festival is that moment. And what could be better than having his widow, Mirtha Ibarra, joining HGFF as our special guest. This is something you do not want to miss.

Elsewhere, Mirtha Ibarra – star of two of the above films and one of the best loved actors in Cuba – will join us as our guest of honour to present her own documentary on her husband.

This year’s programme, which runs from November 12 to 16, will conclude with a look at the history of ICIAC and ask: can film change the world?

“Community is at the heart of both the cities of Glasgow and Havana. Our festival creates a space where everybody feels welcome, and celebrates our shared humanistic values, and love,” said Houston.