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James McAvoy's directorial debut on hoax rappers to close film festival

News imageGlasgow Film Festival James McAvoy standing on the red carpet at an event. He is wearing a dark jacket, a maroon top and jeans. He had short dark hair and a beard.Glasgow Film Festival
James McAvoy's directorial debut California Schemin' was shot around Scotland

James McAvoy's directorial debut California Schemin' will close next year's Glasgow Film Festival.

The film is based on the true story of aspiring Scottish rap duo Silibil N' Brains, who pretended to be from California in an attempt to secure a record deal.

It was shot in locations around Scotland, including Silibil N' Brains' home city of Dundee and Glasgow's famous Barrowland Ballroom music venue.

The screening at the Glasgow Film Theatre - the film's UK premiere - will take place on 8 March and wrap up the festival's 21st year. The full programme is set to be announced in January.

McAvoy, who has starred in the X-Men series of films, previously received the Cinema City Honorary Award at the film festival's 2025 instalment.

The actor said he was delighted the premiere was taking place in Glasgow.

He added: "We made our film in Glasgow and Dundee with the support of a phenomenal Scottish cast and crew, so it feels fitting that we bring it back home for its UK premiere.

"California Schemin' is an unbelievable true story about identity, ambition, fame and how much you're willing to sacrifice to get it. It's a wild story and I can't wait to share the film with festival audiences in March."

News imageMark Mainz Two men stand rapping onstage while looking at each other. They are wearing jeans and T-shirts.Mark Mainz
Séamus McLean Ross and Samuel Bottomley star in the new film

A documentary about the hoax was previously made in 2013.

Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd met at college in Dundee but their rap dreams were laughed out the room by record company executives.

The duo then decided to pretend to be American, and found themselves living a lie for three years as a result.

In that time they landed a record deal with Sony, appeared on MTV, partied with Madonna and even played on a UK tour with Eminem.

The new film stars Séamus McLean Ross as Bain and Samuel Bottomley as Boyd.

News imageGlasgow Film Festival James McAvoy - wearing a green T-shirt saying Silibil N' Brains and holding a piece of paper in one hand, gestures to Séamus McLean Ross and Samuel Bottomley (in character as the rappers) with direction during filming of California Schemin'. Glasgow Film Festival
The film marks McAvoy's first time behind the camera

Paul Gallagher, Glasgow Film Festival's head of programme, said: "I'm thrilled that we will close GFF26 with the UK premiere of a homegrown story that fully deserves its place on the world stage.

"James McAvoy has poured his heart and soul into making California Schemin', and the results are right there on the screen; this is a film of huge emotions, hilarious characters, firecracker performances and a Barrowlands-set finale that blows the roof off."

The film was produced by Glasgow-based production company Blazing Griffin and supported by the National Lottery through Screen Scotland's Film Development and Production Fund.

The Glasgow Film Festival will run from 25 February until 8 March.