EIFF launches programme

Rosamund Pike, Jon Hamm, Dean Norris in The Negotiator, which will have its UK premiere in Edinburgh Photo: Sife Eddine El Amine

The Edinburgh International Film Festival launched the programme for its 72nd edition today, which will feature 21 world premieres in a line-up of around 121 new features from 48 countries.

Among the world premieres at the festival - which runs from June 20 to July 1 - are Stephen Moyer's drama The Parting Glass, starring Melissa Leo, Cynthia Nixon, Anna Paquin and Denis O'Hare. Both Moyer and Paquin, who is also a producer of the film, will take part in an In Person event.

Other world premieres include Matt Palmer's thriller Calibre, starring Jack Lowden and Rachel Maclean's pop art drama Make Me Up.

Edinburgh's Filmhouse was decked out in green to celebrate the EIFF launch Photo: Amber Wilkinson

Elsewhere in the programme, there is a previously announced screening of Incredibles 2 and a number of eye-catching UK premieres, including Wadjda director Haifaa Al-Mansour's latest Mary Shelley, starring Elle Fanning and Maisie Williams, Brad Anderson's spy thriller The Negotiator (screened at Sundance under the title Beirut) and Vaughn Stein's noir thriller Terminal, starring Margot Robbie, Simon Pegg, Dexter Fletcher and Mike Myers.

Films coming fresh from Cannes, include Mark Cousins' new documentary The Eyes Of Orson Welles.

Additional In Person events include playwright and screenwriter David Hare, whose Wall is showing in the festival's Focus On Canada, The Secret Of Marrowbone star George MacKay and Rob Brydon, whose Swimming With Men has already been announced as the closing night film.

Speaking about the 72nd edition, artistic director Mark Adams said: "I'm young and heart and I think the festival is young at heart and that's what we always try to keep on giving to filmgoers, that sense of excitement and enthusiasm for cinema."

In a bid to highlight the festival's connection to younger audiences, two members of the team who have helped to programme the Young & The Wild section, which is in the spotlight more than usual as part of the Scottish Government's Year of Young People. A special £5 pass for 16-25-year-olds will give young cinephiles free entry to certain events during the festival and access to reduced price tickets.

Among the more interesting developments at this morning's press conference was the announcement that Netflix will be sponsoring the festival industry section, showing that not all festival's are taking a much more embracing stance than Cannes to the online streaming service.

Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop, said: “Over the years, Edinburgh International Film Festival has gained increasing recognition as one of the world’s most acclaimed film festivals, attracting audiences from far and wide. This year’s programme, featuring some of the finest productions from Scotland and across the world, continues to promote international partnerships and collaborations, enhancing Scotland’s profile as the international hub for festival engagement.

"I am delighted that the Film Festival received £104,000 in 2018 through the Scottish Government Festivals Expo Fund, which has enabled the best new and emerging filmmakers to develop their skills, knowledge and awareness of all stages of the filmmaking process.”

The festival’s previously announced pop-up outdoor cinema event Film Fest in the City with Mackays (15-17 June) will kick off the festivities early.