20th June – 1st July 2018
For a fortnight in June, one of the world’s oldest film festivals takes place. The Edinburgh International Film Festival has been running each year since 1947. The festival features UK film premiers as well as international premieres and exhibitions of work by contemporary filmmakers.
In 1947, the festival began as a programme that featured only documentaries and was produced by the Edinburgh Film Guild. Over time, the programme grew to encompass fiction and experimental films. From 1947 until 2007, the festival coincided with the Edinburgh International Festival in August, however, in 2008, the festival was moved to June.
There have been many actors and actresses who have graced the red carpet at the festival. Notables, such as Sir Sean Connery, Sir Patrick Stewart, America Ferrera, Tilda Swinton and Isabella Rossellini are but a few of the world-renowned stars who have shown up to curate events or participate in a film’s release.
Of course, a film festival would be nothing without its premiers. Films like The Hurt Locker, The Illusionist, Mesrine, Third Star, Get Low and Winter’s Bone, have all made their UK premieres at the festival.