Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) announced yesterday two new Honorary Patrons of the Festival. Scottish actor James Cosmo and director/actor Karen Gillan have accepted the role of EIFF Honorary Patrons as the Festival heads into its 70th anniversary year.

Karen Gillan and James Cosmo will be joining other EIFF Honorary Patrons Tilda Swinton, Robert Carlyle, Seamus McGarvey and Mark Cousins.

The 69th edition of EIFF drew to a close with the World Premiere of Scott Graham’s IONA, and leading lady Ruth Negga was joined by fellow cast members in attendance on the red carpet.

EIFF Artistic Director Mark Adams said: “We are thrilled to add two Scottish luminaries to our illustrious troop of EIFF Honorary Patrons. James Cosmo is a powerhouse of acting fortitude, acknowledged this year by the Michael Powell Jury, and Karen Gillan is not only a star onscreen – her directorial debut at EIFF has shown her talents also extend behind the camera. Karen is unable to join us this evening as she’s on a long-haul flight, and James has been backwards and forwards to the Festival so many times with his two films and the Awards Ceremony, he needed a night off! But they are both with us in spirit, and we’re delighted to know they’re flying the EIFF flag worldwide for us.”

EIFF Honorary Patron James Cosmo said: “It’s a real honour, and a genuine privilege to serve as Honorary Patron for the Edinburgh International Film Festival.  As a Scots born actor, EIFF has always held a place in my heart and I look forward to working with the other honorary patrons and all the staff there as the Festival moves into its 70th edition in June 2016.”

EIFF Honorary Patron, Karen Gillan said: “I am so thrilled to become a Patron of the Edinburgh International Film Festival. I moved to Edinburgh from Inverness when I was 16 to study acting and developed such a creative connection with the city, so to come back and celebrate Scottish and international filmmaking is an honour.”

The recipient of the Festival’s highly sought after Audience Award was also announced during the Closing Gala speeches at Festival Theatre Edinburgh. Voted for by the public across 14 films screening at the 12 day Festival, the 2015 Audience Award went to Big Gold Dream: Scottish Post-Punk And Infiltrating The Mainstream, directed by Grant McPhee.