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Edinburgh International Film Festival Unveils 2015 Programme

Posted: 27th May 2015

New Artistic Director Mark Adams announced this morning at Filmhouse in Edinburgh details of the programme for the 69th edition of Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF). This year the Festival, which runs from 17 to 28 June, will showcase 164 features from 36 countries, including 24 World Premieres, 8 International Premieres, 16 European Premieres, 84 UK Premieres and 2 Scottish Premieres.

The Festival boasts 134 new features, with highlights including the UK premiere of Asif Kapadia’s striking documentary AMY, about the life of music legend Amy Winehouse; the latest Disney-Pixar animated sensation INSIDE OUT, screening as the Festival’s Family Gala; Arnold Schwarzenegger as a tormented father tending his zombie daughter in MAGGIE; Andrew Mogel & Jarrad Paul’s THE D-TRAIN, starring Jack Black and James Marsden; while John Cusack and Paul Dano play different aged versions of Beach Boys legend Brian Walker in masterful music film LOVE & MERCY. Classic Screenings will include a rare outing for Noel Marshall’s ROAR, a legendary bizarre cult 1981 big cat movie.

This year’s EIFF will also be presenting a series of In-Person events, which will see illustrious names from the world of film interviewed live on stage at the Festival, including local hero Ewan McGregor, who will attend with his new film LAST DAYS IN THE DESERT; Jane Seymour and Malcolm McDowell, both in Edinburgh for their starring roles in BEREAVE; cult Hong-Kong director Johnnie To, with his accompanying feature EXILED (supported by Create Hong Kong and Hong Kong Film Development Fund; and Brand Hong Kong and Hong Kong Economic Trade Office), and EIFF Honorary Patron Seamus McGarvey who returns with his cinematography ‘In Conversation’ series with two-time Academy Award® winning cinematographer Haskell Wexler.

A special In-Person talk celebrates the 60th birthday of one of Britain’s eminent animators, Barry Purves, and multi-talented musician, writer and comedian, Neil Innes will present A Half of Innes, a live In-conversation event with musical accompaniment.

Mark Adams, EIFF Artistic Director, said:

“We are delighted to be presenting such a thrilling, fun, challenging, provocative, exciting and balanced programme. There really is something for everyone and we hope that filmgoers will get a lot of pleasure out of this year’s Festival.”

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs, said:

“The Edinburgh International Film Festival has produced another excellent programme in 2015, showcasing Scottish talent alongside some of the best of world cinema. The film festival attracts visitors to Edinburgh and Scotland, as well as giving local residents the opportunity to see wonderfully diverse and creative films on their doorstep. It also invests in the future of filmmaking though the important delegate programme as well as the Festival Short Film Challenge, and Talent and Animation Labs. By nurturing talent within the industry the EIFF has an important role to play in developing skills to support the future of Scottish filmmaking. The Scottish Government is pleased to support the EIFF with Expo funding of £115,000 in 2015.”

Business Comment

Business Comment is the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce’s bi-monthly magazine. It provides insight on Edinburgh’s vibrant business community, with features on the city’s key sectors, interviews with leading figures and news on new business developments in the capital.
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