Artistic Director Mark Adams unveiled details of the programme for the upcoming Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF), taking place next month between 21 June to 2 July. This year’s Festival will showcase a total of 151 features from 46 countries including: 17 World Premieres, 12 International Premieres, 9 European Premieres and 69 UK Premieres.
Highlights include the UK Premiere of Disney-Pixar’s animation Cars 3 and the highly-anticipated Opening and Closing Gala premieres of the previously announced God’s Own Country and England Is Mine.
An incredible mix of award-winning filmmakers, acclaimed producers, and on-screen stars have also been confirmed to attend the Festival with a host of leading names set to attend special events and premieres and participate on the star-studded competition juries. Kyra Sedgwick will attend the Festival for her directorial debut, Story of a Girl, along with the film’s star Kevin Bacon. Stanley Tucci will bring, Final Portrait, his latest film as director; Josh O’Connor, Alex Secareanu, Ian Hart, Gemma Jones and director Francis Lee will be on the red carpet for the UK Premiere of God’s Own Country, while Jack Lowden, Jessica Brown Findlay, Laurie Kynaston and director Mark Gill are confirmed to attend for England Is Mine. Other notable guests gracing the Festival next month include Trudie Styler, Juliet Stevenson, Oliver Stone, David Arnold and Shauna Macdonald.
Meanwhile the previously announced THE FUTURE IS HISTORY retrospective will attract guests including Richard E Grant, Peter Ferdinando, Steven Mackintosh, Kate Dickie, Tam Dean Burn, Bernard Hill, Matt Johnson, Gerard Johnson and Polly Maberly, all in attendance to support and deliver a range of exclusive events and screenings.
Mark Adams, EIFF Artistic Director, said:
“We’re thrilled to finally be able to reveal all of the details of this year’s diverse programme. In the Festival’s 70th Anniversary Year, we’re proud to be showcasing some of the most exciting, accomplished material from around the world and are looking forward to hosting these talented filmmakers and artists when the Festival opens on 21st June.”
Culture Secretary, Fiona Hyslop, said:
“Marking its 71st edition, EIFF continues to be an important hub for Scottish, UK and international filmmakers to develop and showcase their work. The Scottish Government Expo Fund has provided nearly £1.2 million to EIFF since 2008, which has supported young and emerging talent in the film industry through EIFF Talent Lab. The Expo Fund has helped create an international platform for art and artists that has supported important and ground-breaking creative work from Scotland. So it makes strong economic sense, as our festivals celebrate their 70th anniversary, to support the continued growth of our festivals and to ensure Scotland’s own emerging talent is placed at their centre.”
Natalie Usher, Director of Screen at Creative Scotland, said: “The year’s landmark 70th anniversary edition is packed with an impressive array of the very best films from around the world, certain to appeal to local and international audiences.
“Particularly thrilling is EIFF’s recognition and celebration of Scotland’s filmmaking talent, especially those exploring multiple artforms to create unique cinematic experiences such as Grant McPhee’s music documentary Teenage Superstars and Skyline’s latest film about artist Andy Goldsworthy, Leaning Into The Wind, as well as those screening feature debuts like Peter Mackie Burns’ Daphne. Alongside the exciting main film programme sits this year’s retrospective, THE FUTURE IS HISTORY, one of the most original and intriguing retrospectives in recent years. With an amazing film line up, great audience and industry events, creative debate and discussion, and a rich retrospective, EIFF 2017 is set to entertain and enthral us all.”
This year’s BEST OF BRITISH strand includes exclusive world premieres of Bryn Higgins’ Access All Areas, featuring Jordan Stephens – one half of hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks – on a group road trip to the Isle of Wight’s Bestival music Festival; Simon Hunter’s Edie, starring a never-better Sheila Hancock as an elderly woman who aims to climb a Scottish mountain; the Donmar Warehouse’s critically acclaimed all-female adaptation of Julius Caesar; and Danny Huston’s The Last Photograph. Audiences can also look forward to modern silent film London Symphony; filmmaker Justin Edgar’s noir British thriller The Marker; Daniel Jerome Gill’s look at the perils of modern-day relationships in Modern Life Is Rubbish; Sarmad Masud’s My Pure Land, about a mother and daughter’s fight to protect their home; searing abuse drama Romans, starring Orlando Bloom; and moving family drama That Good Night, starring Charles Dance and the late, great John Hurt.
Tickets to this year’s EIFF go on sale to the public on Friday 2 June at 10am.
For more information on this year’s EIFF or to purchase tickets visit www.edfilmfest.org.uk
