In a world where alien invasions typically star big-budget blockbusters, welcome to a refreshing twist: a micro-budget film about extraterrestrial chaos in Glasgow. Yes, you read that right—Glasgow, where the most dangerous aliens probably turn out to be seagulls eyeing your chips.
Enter Welcome to G-Town, a film that comes from the imaginative minds of filmmaking twins Nathan and Ben McQuaid. Graduates of Stirling University—where they not only earned diplomas but also memories of filming on the streets of Glasgow last summer—they’ve crafted a piece that is as alien as it is local. Who knew the most authentic extraterrestrial experience would involve dodging the buskers outside Central Station?
Anticipation for this galaxy-brained comedy-horror at the Glasgow Film Festival is palpable, especially since it revolves around three young graduates striving to expose shape-shifting aliens. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t end well for the aliens who thought they could just blend in. Note to self: don’t use a Scottish brogue when attempting to fit in.
Shot over a mere 12 days—which is less time than it takes to binge-watch a mediocre series—this sci-fi comedy was crafted with so little funding that every penny must have been counted on a dusty abacus. The film was submitted just in time to snag a slot at this year’s festival, which, in a shocking twist of fate, added a third screening due to overwhelming public demand. Who knew Glasgow had such a penchant for intergalactic hijinks?
The McQuaids were inspired by cinematic legends—from the uncanny classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers to the Scottish filmmaking treasure, Bill Forsyth. They admit to once dabbling in stop-motion videos with clay and Lego at home, because nothing screams future filmmaker like being creative on the living room carpet.
As Nathan puts it, it wasn’t until the pandemic hit that they considered filmmaking seriously. “We made ‘splatter’ films in the garden during Covid. Quiet woods became our playground for horror experiments—because nothing is more frightening than your parents finding your amateur film crew,” Nathan quips. It seems the duo took a page from the classic “boredom breeds creativity” handbook, right before they learned that you can’t just film in public spaces without your mother’s permission.
The eco-friendly, budget-conscious McQuaids pulled in friends and contacts from their time at university, and a mentor who had probably seen enough indie films to fill a small cinema. They scribbled scripts, filmed in the June heat, and survived the nail-biting experience of persuading train station officials that yes, they were legitimate filmmakers, and not just some kids goofing off. Well, maybe a little bit of both.
And as the layers of chaos unfolded—think cheap alien masks and child’s bath slime which, let’s be honest, is what every good alien invasion needs—they embraced the absurd with a pinch of Scottish humor. It appears that every alien invasion needs a touch of the surreal, especially when you’re navigating Glasgow’s bustling cityscape while trying not to spill a bucket of fake goo on unsuspecting commuters.
With an impending world premiere on February 28, the film promises to be a local gem that champions indie creativity. Nathan says the festival embodies a local spirit that aligns perfectly with their film—both celebrating the grit and charm of Scotland. If you think that navigating an alien invasion in the city sounds wild, wait until you hear the McQuaids’ pitch for a sequel: Aliens vs. Rangers: The True Meaning of National Pride.
