Now in its 69th year, the Edinburgh International Film Festival is thought to be the longest continually running film festival in the world. Since its debut in 1947, the event has grown to become a keenly awaited annual fixture for film enthusiasts and this year’s edition promises to be bigger and better than ever.
Taking place in cinema venues across the city, including the Filmhouse, Cameo and Cineworld moviehouses, the 11-day festival showcases a wide selection of new films and documentaries from both British and international directors.
Visitors are certain to discover fresh and emerging talent, with the festival serving as an instrumental platform for up-and-coming directors. Indeed, such is the event’s sway within the industry that a positive reception to a film can provide budding movie makers with a major kick-start to their career. It is the Edinburgh event that is widely credited as having established the reputation of iconic Swedish director Ingmar Bergman, with his movies featuring at five consecutive festival editions between 1957 and 1961.
Under the stewardship of new artistic director Mark Adams, a number of premières will also take place at this year’s event Notable films to have debuted in Edinburgh in recent years include Killer Joe, The Hurt Locker, Let The Right One In, Somers Town, Man On Wire, Control, Knocked Up, Ratatouille, Little Miss Sunshine, An Inconvenient Truth, Tsotsi, Billy Elliot and Amores Perros.
But far more than just a glorified networking event, the festival oozes glamour too, with attending movie stars given the full red carpet treatment and celeb-spotting proving a fruitful endeavour. Recent high-profile guests have included Elijah Wood, Jennifer Lawrence, Ewan McGregor, William Friedkin, Bill Nighy, Robert Carlyle, Felicity Jones, Tilda Swinton, David Cronenberg, Mike Leigh, Eli Roth, Weaver, Charlize Theron, Darren Aronofsky and Sir Sean Connery.
The city of Edinburgh itself morphs into its vibrant best, with all of the city’s main attractions such as Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile offering leisurely respite for those who find themselves all filmed out. With all of the festival venues centrally located, visitors will find it easy to combine movie-based activities with exploring everything that Edinburgh has to offer, including its lively art scene, rich architectural heritage and energetic nightlife.
This year’s festival is also of extra special significance, being part of the ‘Year of Creative Scotland’, a Scottish Government initiative designed to spotlight and celebrate the nation’s cultural and creative strengths on a world stage.
The 2015 Edinburgh International Film Festival takes place from June 17th – 28th. Those planning to visit during the festival are strongly advised to book their accommodation in advance.