Introduction to Edinburgh International Film Festival

Edinburgh International Film Festival begins this week, running from this Wednesday, 16th June until Sunday 27th. Now in its 64th year, EIFF is the longest consecutively running film festival in the world.
This year features an electric programme. Artistic director Hannah McGill has continued the trend towards first- and second-time filmmakers and the prominence of British films and premieres.

Leading attractions include the European premieres of Toy Story 3, Mr Nice, and the long-awaited World’s Greatest Dad (which I recommend). The retrospective this year is entitled After the Wave and features the forgotten classics of British cinema from 1967-1969.

The Rosebud strand is a big part of this year’s festival, featuring first and second films from upcoming directors. The Animation and Shorts strands are also particularly strong this year, injecting some vitality into short-form cinema that is less prevalent in cinema.

The big draw this year is, of course, the opening gala: Slyvain Chomet’s (Belleville Rendez-Vous) The Illusionist. The script from Jacques Tati is set in 1950s Edinburgh, Chomet’s adopted home.

If, despite the festival’s rebirth as a home for new and upcoming filmmakers, you are still interested in the high-profile guests, there will be an in-person BAFTA Scotland Interview with the newly-knighted Sir Patrick Stewart. Nick Hornby, still fresh off the critical success of An Education, will also be taking an in person Q&A. Slyvain Chomet will also be there to present a panel on The Making of the Illusionist. Other guests include America Ferrera of Ugly Betty fame, Ryhs Ifans, Tilda Swinton, and Mark Cousins.

I will be doing a little reportage from the festival, so keep an eye out for updates and reviews!

What are you excited for at this Edinburgh International Film Festival?