The Edinburgh Film Festival was founded by the Edinburgh Film Guild alongside the Edinburgh International Festival dedicated to performing arts. The first festival screened only documentaries, but over the subsequent years the program of the Edinburgh Film Festival expanded to include fiction films, short films, animated films, experimental works, and music videos.
EIFF ran concurrently with the Edinburgh International Festival and related events (Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, etc.) from its inception till 2008. Since 2008, it has been held in June. The principal venue of the festival is the Edinburgh Filmhouse founded in 1979. It hosts Opening and Closing Galas and the awards ceremony. Some screenings and other events are held at other cinemas and venues across Edinburgh including the Edinburgh Festival Theater, Fountainpark Cineworld, and the Odeon.
The Edinburgh International Film Festival screens both UK and international films, seeking to represent the most adventurous and innovative developments in world cinema. The festival pays special attention to emerging filmmakers who deserve local and worldwide attention thanks to the stylistic boldness of their works. EIFF doesn’t host an official film competition but it does present awards to outstanding films, filmmakers, and actors.
Alongside film screenings in several sections, the Edinburgh International Film Festival has a rich and diverse industry program dedicated to talent development. It includes EIFF Talent Lab, EIFF Short Film Challenge, and other activities and programs. Thanks to the festival’s learning program, emerging filmmakers get a unique chance to participate in exciting round tables, workshops and advice sessions.
The Edinburgh International Film Festival has a number of honorary patrons who dedicate their time and effort to maintain the festival’s status as one of the leading film industry events in the United Kingdom. The patrons include actor Robert Carlyle, actor James Cosmo, director and film critic Mark Cousins, actress Karen Gillan, cinematographer Seamus McGarvey, and actress Tilda Swinton.
Photo: edinburghtourist.co.uk
