James McAvoy will make his directorial debut with the film California Schemin’, which is set to close the Glasgow Film Festival on March 8, 2026. This event marks the U.K. premiere of the film, which tells the improbable true story of a Scottish rap duo striving for fame.
The narrative follows the journey of Gavin Bain, portrayed by Séamus McLean Ross, and Billy Boyd, played by Samuel Bottomley, as they attempt to secure a record deal by pretending to be hip hop artists from California. The film explores themes of ambition and friendship, as the duo’s lies escalate with their rising fame.
Filming took place in various locations across Scotland, including the duo’s hometown of Dundee and Glasgow’s renowned music venue, the Barrowlands. “As fame beckons and the lies pile up, their lifelong friendship is put to the test,” the synopsis states, hinting at the emotional complexity of their story.
California Schemin’ is slated for release in U.K. and Irish cinemas on April 10, 2026, through StudioCanal. The film was produced by Danny Page at the Glasgow-based production company Blazing Griffin, with additional support from The National Lottery via Screen Scotland’s Film Development and Production Fund.
McAvoy expressed his excitement about the film’s premiere, stating, “As a proud Glaswegian, I’m delighted to be premiering California Schemin’ as the closing night gala of the Glasgow Film Festival.” He emphasized the film’s local roots, highlighting the contributions of the Scottish cast and crew. He continued, “It’s 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.”
The Glasgow Film Festival will run from February 25 to March 8, 2026. Paul Gallagher, head of programming for the festival, noted the significance of showcasing a homegrown story. “I’m thrilled that we will close GFF26 with the U.K. premiere of a homegrown story that fully deserves its place on the world stage,” he said. Gallagher praised McAvoy’s dedication to the project, describing it as a film filled with “huge emotions, hilarious characters, firecracker performances, and a Barrowlands-set finale that blows the roof off.” He encouraged audiences to mark their calendars, stating, “This is one party you won’t want to miss.”
As anticipation builds for the film, McAvoy’s venture into directing promises to deliver an engaging and heartfelt story that resonates with audiences both locally and internationally.
