Edinburgh International Film Festival Announces 2016 Country Focus and New ‘Works in Progress’ Events
Edinburgh, February 2016 – Edinburgh International Film Festival is proud to announce that this year’s country focus will be Finland. Working in association with the Finnish Film Foundation, EIFF will present a programme of new Finnish features, including both documentary and fiction, a programme of Finnish shorts and other special screenings. The Finnish focus will also include territory-specific industry activity and special guests from across the production landscape in Finland.
EIFF Deputy Artistic Director, Diane Henderson says: “With its rich film heritage, Finland is a country that features often at EIFF and this year we’re very excited to present this appreciation of films from this fascinating country. We are delighted to be working with the Finnish Film Foundation and are looking forward to welcoming our special guests from Finland to Edinburgh in June.”
Jaana Puskala, Head of the International Department at The Finnish Film Foundation adds: “Finland has the joy and honour of being the focus country at the 70th Edinburgh International Film Festival. We are gathering an interesting showcase of different Finnish films and we hope our films and filmmakers will offer a chance to glimpse the landscape of this Northern nation’s soul. Our filmmakers and producers who will be in attendance in Edinburgh are looking forward to meeting and greeting their Scottish and UK colleagues“.
EIFF is also pleased to announce a new Works in Progress section, as part of the Festival’s industry offering. This industry-facing event will offer up to seven UK narrative feature titles to an invited audience of Sales Agents, Financiers, Festival Programmers and Distributors.
EIFF Works in Progress will join the existing industry events programme, talent development programmes and networking events, alongside a dedicated programme of events with Finnish-UK producers.
If you are a filmmaker searching for completion money, or you’re keen to find out how your film might play in different territories, and you’d like to show your work to a hand-picked audience of international guests, please visit www.edfilmfest.org.uk/industry/ewip to find out how to submit your project for consideration.
Sales Agents, Financiers, Festivals, or Distributors keen to know more about EIFF Works in Progress should contact Holly Daniel, Head of Talent and Industry Development at EIFF, at industry@edfilmfest.org.uk.
2016 marks the 70th edition of the Edinburgh International Film Festival, making it the longest continually running film festival in the world. Since its inception, the Festival has sought to bring the best of world cinema to UK audiences and championed the work of the most pioneering and innovative filmmakers.
The 70th edition of EIFF runs from 15-26 June 2016
contact:
0207 932 9800
About Edinburgh International Film Festival:
Established in 1947, Edinburgh International Film Festival is renowned around the world for discovering and promoting the very best in international cinema – and for heralding and debating changes in global filmmaking. Intimate in its scale, ambitious in its scope, and fuelled by pure passion for cinema in all its manifestations, EIFF seeks to spotlight the most exciting and innovative new film talent, in a setting steeped in history.
Notable films premiered in recent years have included: AMY, INSIDE OUT, 45 YEARS, A MOST WANTED MAN, COLD IN JULY, WE STEAL SECRETS: THE STORY OF WIKILEAKS, THE IMPOSTER, BRAVE, TABU, THE HURT LOCKER, MOON, FISH TANK, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, MAN ON WIRE, CONTROL, KNOCKED UP, RATATOUILLE, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, TSOTSI and BILLY ELLIOT.
EIFF is supported by Creative Scotland, the BFI, the Scottish Government through the Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund, the City of Edinburgh Council, and EventScotland.
The Centre for the Moving Image (CMI) was established in 2010 with a mission to be at the forefront of the development of a vibrant and successful film and moving image industry and culture across Scotland and beyond. The CMI currently comprises EIFF, Filmhouse in Edinburgh and the Belmont Filmhouse in Aberdeen.
The Edinburgh International Film Festival Limited is a company registered in Scotland No: SC132453. It is a subsidiary of the Centre for the Moving Image (CMI) which is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status with Scottish Charity No. SC006793
