Screen Scotland, Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh International Film Festival are delighted to confirm that the 76th Edinburgh International Film Festival will take place this summer, from 18 to 23 August 2023, in a special one-year iteration as part of the Edinburgh International Festival.
Since December, members of the 2022 EIFF programming team Kate Taylor and Kristy Matheson, have been researching and developing plans for the 2023 edition of Edinburgh’s Film Festival.
The 2023 programme will be led by EIFF’s new Programme Director Kate Taylor, with full programme details for the EIFF 2023 to be released in June 2023. Kristy will shortly take up her new position as BFI Festivals Director at London Film Festival.
With the support of the Edinburgh International Festival, a compact selection of films will be presented under the EIFF banner this August, complementing the International Festival’s programme of world-class performing arts. The hand-picked programme will celebrate the work of exceptional local and global filmmakers and ensure the flame of EIFF burns bright for future generations of passionate cinema fans.
Kate Taylor, Programme Director, Edinburgh International Film Festival, said: “Attending first as audience member, then as film worker, my experience of Edinburgh International Film Festival has always been of a place that sparks inspiring conversations about film, and over the past few months it has been nourishing to hear the stories of many people – filmmakers, audience and industry who hold this festival dear.
“I’m excited to deliver the ideas that the team and I have been working on over the past few months and be a custodian for this year’s programme, ensuring the flame of EIFF burns bright, and I can’t wait to welcome audiences to enjoy the curated selection of films we’ll be presenting in August.”
Isabel Davis, Executive Director, Screen Scotland says: “From the Opening Night screening of Aftersun, the 2022 edition of EIFF had a great energy and was welcomed by audiences and industry.
“We are glad to be working again with Kate, the programme team and our colleagues in the International Festival to build on that success. Huge thanks to the Edinburgh International Festival Board and the amazing International Festival team for their proactive and positive work in delivering the EIFF as part of their world-renowned Festival with Kate in post as Programme Director. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Kristy for her work towards the 2023 edition and wish her every success in her new role.”
With the EIFF artistic programme devised and delivered by the Film Festival team, the supporting infrastructure including box office, HR and promotion of the 2023 Film Festival is being provided by the Edinburgh International Festival, who have also been working with Screen Scotland to support the continuation of the Film Festival across the last five months.
Francesca Hegyi, Chief Executive, Edinburgh International Festival, said: “The Edinburgh International Film Festival is an important cultural touchstone in our festival city, and we are pleased to be able to support its return.
“Over the last few months the EIFF programming team have been developing a plan for an ambitious film programme to add to the International Festival’s world-class dance, theatre, music and opera programme, ensuring that the Film Festival has a bright future.
“We look forward to working further with Kate and her team as we prepare for a compelling EIFF programme to be revealed in June this year.”
Culture Minister of Scottish Government Neil Gray said: “The Scottish Government is a strong supporter of the Edinburgh International Film Festival and I’m delighted that there will be a 76th edition this summer.
“Film Festivals play an important part in Scotland’s screen industry success story by promoting domestic productions, supporting talent development, showcasing high-quality international films and encouraging more people to go to the cinema.
“We have vibrant creative and screen industries in Scotland and our film festivals provide a fantastic opportunity to highlight this abundance of talent to audiences at home and abroad.”
Screen Scotland remains in place as the Edinburgh International Film Festival’s primary public funder.
In parallel with the delivery of the 76th Edinburgh International Film Festival as part of the Edinburgh International Festival, Screen Scotland will work across the summer with a working group of industry experts to deliver a long-term future for a stand-alone Film Festival, which will be presented annually from August 2024.
Full programme details for the film selection will be released in June 2023.
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Good. Protect the Film Guild and the Film Festival. Long live the Filmhouse