FREE FILM EVENT – SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS 1.30 -3.45pm
Dementia-friendly Film Club at North Edinburgh Arts this Thursday
MSF: Israeli authorities ‘starving Palestinians of water in Gaza’
- Israel is deliberately depriving people of water in Gaza, Palestine.
- Organisations like MSF would be able to increase the amount of safe water in the Strip, however, Israel is blocking imports of critical water treatment items.
- The Israeli military must stop its destruction of water infrastructure and allow the immediate repair of water systems that have been damaged.
Israel is deliberately depriving people of water in Gaza, Palestine, as part of its genocidal campaign – denying Palestinians of life’s necessities, including food, water and healthcare, says Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
After 22 months of Israel destroying and restricting access to critical water infrastructure, the amount of water available in Gaza is wholly insufficient.
Organisations like MSF would be able to increase the amount of safe water in the Strip, however, Israel is blocking imports of critical water treatment items.
Since June 2024, for every 10 import requests of items for water desalination, MSF has had only one approved.
Israel must begin allowing the importation of critical equipment for water supply and distribution, at scale. The Israeli military must stop its destruction of water infrastructure and allow the immediate repair of water systems that have been damaged to ensure people have life-sustaining access to water. Water and other necessities of life must not be used as weapons of war.
Not only is there insufficient water overall for people in Gaza, but the reliance on water trucking means they do not have predictable methods to obtain what is available.
Eighty-six per cent of Gaza is under forced displacement order by the Israeli military, making it unsafe for water trucks to attempt to reach people in those areas. The lack of adequate storage methods in households compounds the problems people face.
The reduction of clean water in Gaza has resulted in an increase of disease, with MSF medical teams conducting over 1,000 consultations for acute watery diarrhoea a week for the past month. Without sufficient water for hygiene, people have been suffering from skin conditions, such as scabies.
Clean water is also essential for hospitals; to reduce the spread of infection and to keep patients hydrated so their bodies can heal from their injuries and illnesses.
“There’s too little water for too many people,” says Mohammed Nsier, a water and sanitation officer for MSF in Gaza. “The amount we can provide is very small compared to the need, and conditions are extremely difficult.”
Israel is creating difficult conditions for the delivery of safe water to people. It has always controlled much of the flow of water into Gaza. There is no naturally available drinking water in Gaza because of salination and contamination of sewage and chemicals, making people reliant on pipelines coming from Israel and desalination plants in Gaza. This infrastructure has been subjected to continuous Israeli attacks.
Israel has repeatedly damaged two out of the three water pipelines into Gaza since October 2023. It is estimated that 70 per cent of the water that goes through these pipes is lost because of leaks in the broader pipeline network, from the damage caused by bombardment. As a result, water must be distributed by water trucking, coming from desalination plants. Of the 196 desalination plants that are publicly- and NGO-run, over 60 per cent are non-functional because of their location or damage.
There’s too little water for too many people. The amount we can provide is very small compared to the need, and conditions are extremely difficult.Mohammed Nsier, a water and sanitation officer for MSF in Gaza
Humanitarian organisations are willing to repair the damaged pipes and plants of the water infrastructure that existed before October 2023, but Israel has repeatedly hindered these efforts by denying access to these sites.
For locations that are reachable, repair efforts use “Frankenstein” techniques, salvaging parts from one generator or broken sites to fix another, and desperate attempts to source parts locally. Such actions are necessary as the supplies required to repair this infrastructure are impeded from entering Gaza by Israel.
When items do come in, they arrive months late because of deliberate blockages.
Seven MSF water treatment units produce enough water for 65,000 people to receive 7.5 litres per day,1 a fraction of what is needed. For months, MSF has been trying to get nine new treatment units into Gaza – which would significantly increase MSF’s water production capacity – but these efforts have remained unsuccessful as Israel has not issued approvals or allowed the units to enter.
When water trucks can reach desalination plants, the next step of distributing it to people also means contending with major obstacles. Reaching people safely is near impossible, as the expansion of military activities and bombardments in so-called safe zones mean distribution points have to be continually re-located.
In 2025, MSF has had to stop providing water at at least 137 water distribution points. To reach distributions, people must walk long distances carrying their heavy jerry cans.
You see how people are struggling, everyone is desperate for water… I don’t know what to tell you—it’s torture.– A woman waiting for a water distribution in Gaza city
“You see how people are struggling, everyone is desperate for water,” says a woman waiting for an MSF distribution in Gaza city. “Honestly, [it’s] very, very hard to get water, even walking a little bit is very difficult. I don’t know what to tell you—it’s torture.”
The dangers of collecting water are compounded by its limitation, with the scarcity creating tension at distributions. People have told MSF staff that they fear collecting water. Our teams see children who get lost after a distribution site has been forced to move by a displacement order or an airstrike, or because extensive damage has made their surroundings unrecognisable.
“As with food, supplies, and healthcare, the Israeli military is restricting access to water to minimal levels,” says Ozan Agbas, MSF emergency manager. “By refraining from cutting off water entirely, they allow plausible deniability while choking Palestinians of their means of survival.”
7.5 litres is the minimum amount of water a person needs per day during a humanitarian emergency, according to the WHO
Police Scotland joins forces with Childline to support young people in custody
Children in police custody in Glasgow are being offered confidential support from Childline as part of a new initiative. The project, being run by the NSPCC, the children’s charity which delivers Childline, and Police Scotland, provides children in custody with information about the support service and offers them the chance to talk confidentially to a counsellor.
Young people who find themselves in custody in Glasgow are being offered to call Childline, where experienced counsellors can give them advice and emotional support in a confidential setting. This is to help the young person through a difficult time and try to reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
During the 10-week pilot period in Glasgow, 97% of the 107 young people brought into custody accepted the Childline leaflet.
The initiative was originally launched in Merseyside in September 2023, before being rolled out in Cheshire in March 2024.
Approximately 2,500 young people aged 10 to 17 and 1,000 18-year-olds in Merseyside and Cheshire have been told about the support available from Childline or seen a poster or leaflet with information about Childline.
Being taken into police custody can be a frightening experience for young people, and many of those who have contacted Childline told counsellors they felt scared and alone.
One 14-year-old told Childline*: “I’m in police custody again after arguing with my parents. It got violent, and they called the police.
“I’ll be released soon and I’m too scared to go home but I can’t leave my siblings there without my protection. Can you help me?”
An 18-year-old said*: “It’s not my first time in custody and one of the hard things is it reminds you how alone you are. I was meant to speak to my young person’s advisor today but missed it because I’m in here.
“She’s all I have, and I know she’s so close on giving up on me. I know I’m not coping and need options, but I don’t have anyone else to turn to.”
The idea for the scheme came from Deborah Rigby, a retired Merseyside police officer, who is now a supervisor at Childline in Liverpool.
Through her work she realised that many young people who came into custody would benefit from the support that Childline offered. She approached Merseyside Police, and they saw the potential in a collaboration with Childline, then they worked together to make it happen.
When a young person comes into custody, they are given the opportunity to receive emotional support, but they do not always take it because the offer has come from the police. This often results in young people being released without receiving the additional support they may need, which can increase the likelihood of reoffending.
It is hoped that young people will be more likely to accept a confidential call to Childline when they are in custody, and this could provide the first step towards breaking the cycle of reoffending.
Assistant Chief Constable for Police Scotland Criminal Justice Services Division, Wendy Middleton said: “We welcome this initiative which has been providing additional support to young people who come into custody in Glasgow.
“We look forward to rolling this out nationally and ensuring that the same support is available across Scotland.
“We acknowledge that police custody can be a daunting and traumatic experience, particularly for children and young people. It is important that they can speak to someone in confidence who can listen to them and potentially help to address wider problems that they are experiencing. Childline is a valuable partner in this regard.”
Adeniyi Alade, NSPCC Scotland Helplines Service Head, who is based at the Childline call centre in Aberdeen, said: “This partnership allows us to reach young people who may feel vulnerable and need someone to talk to for advice at what might be a very difficult time.
“There are many reasons a young person comes to be in police custody and it’s important they are given all the support they need.
“While we are working with the police, the support we offer young people will be completely confidential. As with all calls to Childline, our support will be independent, and the police will not be made aware of it.”
During the pilot period, children and young people up to the age of 17 brought into police custody were offered a call with a Childline counsellor.
It is hoped that the initiative will be rolled out across Scotland after the NSPCC has assessed its impact in Glasgow.
The police custody centre at London Road, Glasgow, includes six cells which have been modified and decorated to improve the environment when children are detained. Cells have been painted with murals and have chalkboards, jigsaw puzzles, soft toys, books and posters to create a calming experience during a stressful time.
In addition, London Road has a separate discrete charge area with a lower height charge bar for processing children and young people, and other vulnerable detainees.
The transformation of London Road custody centre has acted as a pilot for the modernisation of several other children’s custody suites, which includes Police Scotland’s primary custody facility for Glasgow in Cathcart.
Young people looking for support on any of the issues mentioned, can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit Childline.org.uk. Childline is available to all young people until their 19th birthday.
*Snapshots are based on real Childline service users but are not necessarily direct quotes. All names and potentially identifying details have been changed to protect the identity of the child or young person involved.
England’s criminals to face football, travel, club and pub bans
- Judges given new powers to punish offenders with bans that curtail freedom
- Mandatory drug testing expanded to keep offenders on straight-and-narrow
- Part of the Government’s Plan for Change to make sure punishment cuts crime and keep streets safe
Criminals will be barred from pubs, concerts and sports matches under new sentencing powers unveiled by the UK Government today (Sunday 24 August) as part of its Plan for Change.
Judges will be able to curtail offenders’ freedoms with driving limits, travel bans and restriction zones confining them into specific areas.
The changes will toughen up community punishments to deter reoffending and force offenders back onto the straight-and-narrow.
As part of the Government’s work to do everything in its power to keep Britain safe, offenders coming out of prison and supervised by the Probation Service will also face similar restrictions and an expanded mandatory drug testing regime.
In future, criminals without known drug habits will face this scrutiny, not just those with a history of substance misuse.
Offenders who break the rules face being brought back to court or hauled back to prison as punishment depending on the sentence they are serving.
Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said: “Widening the range of punishments available to judges is part of our Plan for Change to cut crime and make streets safer.
“When criminals break society’s rules, they must be punished. Those serving their sentences in the community must have their freedom restricted there too.
“These new punishments should remind all offenders that, under this Government, crime does not pay.
“Rightly, the public expect the government to do everything in its power to keep Britain safe, and that’s what we’re doing.”
Currently, judges are able to give out limited bans for specific crimes, for example football bans for crimes committed inside a stadium on match day, to prevent further antisocial behaviour.
The Government will change the law shortly so such bans can be handed down as a form of punishment for any offence in any circumstance.
It will form part of wider reforms to sentencing to ensure punishments cut crime and prisons never again run out of places for dangerous offenders.
Over 2,400 prison places have opened since July 2024 with the Government investing £7 billion to create a total of 14,000 as the prison population increases.
Investment in the Probation Service will also receive a huge boost with an increase of up to £700 million by 2028/29, up from the annual budget of around £1.6 billion today.
This week it was revealed the number of Probation Officers has increased by seven per cent in the last 12 months, with trainee probation officer numbers also seeing a surge of 15 per cent. This follows the Government’s commitment to recruit a further 1,300 this year, in addition to the 1,000 trainee probation officers recruited last year.
New technology, including artificial intelligence, will lighten the administrative burden and free up time for probation staff to increase supervision of the most dangerous offenders and keep the public safe.
Edinburgh marks UNESCO International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
This weekend, Edinburgh joined cities around the world in marking the UNESCO International Day of Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. This annual event on 23 August provides an important opportunity to reflect on the historical roots, practices and lasting consequences of slavery.
In honour of the victims of the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism, a special remembrance concert took place at St Cecilia’s Hall on Friday (22 August).
Hosted by the Edinburgh Slavery & Colonialism Legacy Review Implementation Group and supported by Historic Environment Scotland, the performance featured live music, dance and spoken word from diverse local artists.
City of Edinburgh Council Leader, Jane Meagher, said: “This day is not only about remembrance, but also responsibility. By acknowledging Edinburgh’s links to slavery and colonialism, we honour the memory of those who suffered and reaffirm our commitment to building a fairer and more inclusive city for the future.
“I’m grateful to the members of the Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review Implementation Group who continue to take forward the recommendations that were made to Council.
“These address the Capital’s historical links to slavery and colonialism and how they should be remembered in today’s Edinburgh. By reflecting on the Capital’s colonial links, we can better recognise its enduring legacy in our city and pay tribute to those who fought for its abolition.”
Irene Mosota, Chair of the Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Review Implementation Group, said: “Today we pause to reflect on how our shared past continues to shape the present and the future.
“The history of slavery carved deep scars. Its echoes resound in divisions, in the barriers, in the racism we encounter still. To acknowledge this legacy with honesty, is the first step to more just and united society.
“Marking this day is not about reopening old wounds. It opens our eyes. It teaches us to remember. We do so to ensure that the injustices of the past are never repeated, and that our communities, our institutions, and our workplaces stand firmly against discrimination in all its forms.
“Our commitment is clear: to speak when silence would excuse wrong, to challenge what is unjust, to support what is fair, to listen with respect, and to continue learning from one another.
“When racism appears, we will not look away. We will answer it with fairness, with courage, and with solidarity for those most affected.
“Remembrance is not a single day. It is a living promise to uphold dignity, equality, and respect. That is what ‘never again’ means.”
Ranald MacInnes, Head of Outreach and Learning at Historic Environment Scotland (HES), said: “This event is an important moment for reflection and connection. At HES, we are committed to working with communities to expand our knowledge and explore the legacy of empire.
“Understanding our shared past is an important part in addressing inequality and helps to ensure our heritage tells diverse and inclusive stories that belong to everyone.”
International Day for Remembrance of Slave Trade: ‘Time to abolish exploitation once and for all’
Victims of atrocities and freedom fighters across history can inspire future generations to build just societies,the chief of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said on the occasion of the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, commemorated annually on 23 August.
“It is time to abolish human exploitation once and for all and to recognise the equal and unconditional dignity of each and every individual,” Ms. Azoulay said.
The Day is intended to inscribe the tragedy of the slave trade in the memory of all peoples.
‘The fight is not over’
Echoing the goals of UNESCO’s intercultural project The Routes of Enslaved Peoples, it should offer an opportunity for collective consideration of the historic causes, the methods and the consequences of this tragedy and for an analysis of the interactions to which it has given rise between Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean, said the UN agency, which leads the annual commemoration.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said that while the Day honours the victims of the transatlantic slave trade, “the fight is not over.”
“Modern slavery persists,” she stated. “Let’s confront injustice, past and present and uphold the dignity and rights of every person.”
For its part, the UN works towards these goals, including through its Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery, established in 2007.
Uprising led to abolition
On the night of 22 to 23 August 1791, in then Saint Domingue, now Haiti, saw the beginning of the uprising that would play a crucial role in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.
Against this background, the International Day is commemorated around the world. It was first celebrated in a number of countries, including in 1998 in Haiti and in 1999 on Gorée Island in Senegal, where millions of enslaved people had been forced onto ships to cross the ocean.
“Today, let us remember the victims and freedom fighters of the past so that they may inspire future generations to build just societies,” UNESCO’s Ms. Azoulay said.
Two weeks to go until Scotland’s most family friendly and affordable street party kicks off in ancient capital
With just two weeks until one of Scotland’s most spectacular cultural celebrations, families from across the country are preparing to descend on Perth for 125 Live! – an extraordinary street party that promises world-class entertainment at pocket-friendly prices.
Taking place on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 September, 125 Live! will transform Perth’s Mill Street into Scotland’s biggest family-friendly street party, celebrating 125 years of entertainment in the historic city.
With adult tickets for the evening performances capped at just £20 and a comprehensive programme of free daytime activities for all the family, the event offers exceptional value at a time when household budgets are under pressure.
In 2025, families are increasingly seeking “celebreaktions” – celebratory experiences where adults can relax while children are entertained, and 125 Live! delivers exactly this combination.
The event’s accessibility extends beyond pricing, with Perth’s unique location placing it within 90 minutes’ travel time of 90% of Scotland’s population – making it easier than ever for families to create lasting memories without the expense of overnight stays.
“We’ve deliberately kept ticket prices low with a maximum adult price of £20, plus a family ticket offer so that the event is accessible to as many people as possible,” explains Christopher Glasgow, Director of Perth Theatre and Concert Hall.
“Our Ticket Bank with Perth Citizens Advice Bureau also gives audiences the option to buy tickets for those whose financial circumstances may not otherwise allow them to attend.”
Leading the stellar evening line-up is Walt Disco, the Glasgow glam-pop sensation whose debut album earned Scottish Album of the Year nominations. Fresh from their biggest US tour yet – over 30 dates supporting Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – the six-piece band includes three Perth-raised members, making their hometown debut extra special.
The carefully curated programme showcases Scotland’s diverse musical landscape, featuring:
- Valtos – Skye’s innovative trad and electronic duo making their Perth debut;
- Parliamo – Perth’s own indie darlings praised by BBC Radio 1 and 6 Music;
- Ross Ainslie & The Sanctuary Band – the dynamic Perthshire piper who performed at Perth Concert Hall’s opening 20 years ago;
- Jack David – Scottish DJ and songwriter with over 200 million streams;
- Musical theatre stars Hannah Howie & Matthew Tomlinson alongside local students.
Understanding the needs of modern families, 125 Live! offers a full day of FREE activities before the evening ticketed performances:
- Drop-in workshops and activities for all ages;
- Beatles for Babies* interactive shows (perfect for 0-3 year olds);
- Gig On A Truck performances sponsored by St Johnstone FC;
- Family-friendly performances throughout the day;
- Food stalls and festival atmosphere in the heart of Perth.
*Beatles for Babies tickets £8 (1 adult + 1 baby)
Unlike traditional festivals, the 125 Live! evening event presents a unique sequential performance across four live stages stretching from Perth Concert Hall Plaza to Perth Theatre Courtyard repeated over two nights. The evening will be enhanced by:
- Dramatic projections from Catalonian visual artist Alba Corral (her first UK outdoor work);
- Spectacular light show by award-winning designer Will Potts (whose credits include Disclosure and Sam Smith);
- Live projections bringing Mill Street’s buildings to life;
- Pyrotechnic finale to cap off each evening.
With affordable travel becoming increasingly important for Scottish families, Perth’s central location makes 125 Live! uniquely accessible. Major transport links connect the city to (travel time is an average):
- Glasgow (1 hour by train)
- Edinburgh (1 hour 15 minutes by train)
- Stirling (45 minutes by train)
- Dundee (30 minutes by train)
- Aberdeen (1 hour 45 minutes by train)
- Inverness (2 hours 15 minutes by train)
Free parking is available at nearby locations, with clear signage directing visitors to the Mill Street venue entrance via Perth Concert Hall Plaza.
More than just entertainment, 125 Live! represents a genuine community celebration. Local groups, schools, and organisations are participating alongside international stars, creating an authentic Scottish festival atmosphere that reflects the venues’ 125-year history of bringing people together.
Hannah Howie, musical theatre headliner, said: “What a privilege to celebrate this iconic space here in the heart of Scotland with the very best of all things musical, theatrical and joyful; roll on the next 125.”
Tickets and Information
Evening Performance Tickets: From £15 (under 18s) to £20 (adults); Family ticket £40 (max two adults) Daytime Activities: Completely FREE* Doors: 18:00 for evening shows Venue: Mill Street, Perth (entering via Perth Concert Hall Plaza).
*Excluding Beatles for Babies priced at £8 for 1 adult + 1 baby.
Tickets are available now at perththeatreandconcerthall.com or by calling the Perth Theatre Box Office on 01738 621031 (10:00 – 18:00, Tuesday – Saturday).
For families requiring financial assistance, the Ticket Bank scheme provides opportunities to obtain tickets through Perth Citizens Advice Bureau.
Jet2.com announces children under 2 will travel for free
Leading leisure airline Jet2.com has further strengthened its family-friendly offer, by announcing that children under 2 will now travel for FREE.
The announcement means that Jet2.com is the only UK airline to not charge a fee for children under 2 to travel to destinations across Europe, the Canaries and the Mediterranean.
This new policy applies to all new bookings made from today (Friday 22nd August 2025), and children must be under 2 at the time of travel for it to apply.
With children under 2 already going free when they travel with Jet2holidays, this now means that all under 2’s travel free with Jet2 – whether on a package holiday with Jet2holidays or on a seat-only flight with Jet2.com.
In addition, Jet2.com has introduced a new family-friendly change to its child and infant equipment allowance, meaning that no excess baggage will be charged for child or infant equipment being checked into the hold. This policy is effective immediately.
Alongside an extra 10kg baggage allowance for children under 2[i], customers can bring up to two items per child under 2 free of charge to be checked into the hold.
These can include a collapsible pushchair, pram or buggy, car seat or booster seat, baby carrier, or travel cot and the 10kg weight limitation no longer applies to these items.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “As a family friendly airline and tour operator, we are always looking at how we can make the experience even better for families travelling with us.
“By putting our customers first and making these changes, meaning that all children under 2 now travel for free whether on a package holiday or a seat-only flight, we are making travel even more accessible for millions of families.”
To take advantage of these fantastic savings, visit:
Week 3 winners of Besties announced
The Skinny and Fest, Capital Theatres and Premier Scotland are delighted to announce the winners of the week three’s The Besties, in the following categories:
The Spooky Award – Ghouls Aloud for Elysium, Gilded Balloon
The New Writing Award – Emma Frankland for No Apologies, Summerhall
Lifetime Achievement Award for contributions to Scottish publishing – 404 Ink, Edinburgh International Book Festival
The Dissident Award – Abdolreza Kahani for Mortician, Edinburgh International Film Festival
The Radgie Award – Rosa Garland for Primal Bog, Assembly Roxy
The Alt Reekie Award – Liam Withnail for Big Strong Boy, Monkey Barrell
The Fringe Legend Award – Mark Silcox for The Gold Trader, PBH Free Fringe, Voodoo Rooms
The award ceremony took place today (Saturday 23rd August) at the Festival Theatre, hosted by Jess Robinson, whose show Jess Robinson: Your Song is at Assembly George Square Gardens until Sunday.
The Besties awards, designed by artist Camillo Feuchter a recent graduate of Interior & Environmental Design at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee, use recyclable plastics gathered by the partners and leftover wood sourced locally.
Reflecting the broad and diverse coverage both magazines produce every summer and celebrating the breadth of Edinburgh’s Festivals, The Besties span all the festival activity taking place in the city over the month of August, including the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Art Festival, Edinburgh International Book Festival and the Edinburgh International Film Festival.
Winners of The Besties are chosen each week by the editorial teams of The Skinny and Fest, drawing on their cross-festival expertise to celebrate the best work happening anywhere in the festivals.
Something for everyone at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre
WEEKLY PROGRAMME AT DRYLAW NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
Check out our action packed sessions currently on offer at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre!
Many sessions are free and other classes are a two or three quid.
If you have any queries, email coordinator@drylawnc.org.uk.
Remember we also have the Community Larder, Mon, Weds, Fri 10-11 each week.
AND DON’T FORGET …
Edinburgh International Film Festival announces 2025 Competition Winners
Edinburgh International Film Festival announces winners of this year’s Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence and The Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking Excellence Competition
The winner of the Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence is Abdolreza Kahani’s Mortician
Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has announced the winners of its prize for feature filmmaking and its prize for short filmmaking.
The awards were presented at a special ceremony at Cameo Cinema in Edinburgh by Jason Connery on behalf of The Connery Foundation and by legendary film editor Thelma Schoonmaker.
The winner of this year’s The Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence, decided on by an audience vote and funded by The Connery Foundation is Abdolreza Kahani’s Mortician. Ten feature-length World Premieres were presented at EIFF as part of the competition with the winning filmmaker being awarded £50,000 to support their future projects.
In Mortician, a reclusive mortician faces an unusual request from a dissident singer in hiding, their bond providing the beating heart of this disarmingly elegant film. Combining a distinctive, lo-fi visual style, naturalistic performances and familiar wit and humanity, Director Abdolreza Kahani’s film is both utterly distinctive and affecting.
Mortician sees director Abdolreza Kahani return to EIFF following his film A Shrine screening as part of last year’s Festival. Mortician is presented as part of Spotlight Canada 2025, supported by The High Commission of Canada and The Beaverbrook Canadian Foundation.
The other films in competition films were:
Blue Film (Dir. Elliot Tuttle)
Powered by extraordinary performances, a tight script and an elegant visual style, this unusual thriller makes for a shocking and highly compelling cinematic experience.
Concessions (Dir. Mas Bouzidi)
Propelled by a witty and weirdly lyrical script, great performances and some unexpected cameos, this is a fresh, funny and robust ode to cinema in a time of uncertainty over its future.
In Transit (Dir. Jaclyn Bethany)
An elegant, subtle drama with a chilly edge, this is a restrained and emotionally intelligent exploration of selfish desires, hidden motivations and what it really takes to know yourself.
Low Rider (Dir. Campbell X)
Powered by finely drawn characters and a freewheeling narrative, this is a vivid and visually striking queer road movie that has a strong message of self-empowerment at its core
Best Boy (Dir. Jesse Noah Klein)
A bold, original and blackly comic satire that fearlessly skewers social constructs, the nuclear family and toxic masculinity.
Novak (Dir. Harry Lagoussis)
An offbeat, intriguing exploration of idol worship, consumerism and non-conformity in the modern world, this is dark, unpredictable and humorous in equal measure.
On The Sea (Dir. Helen Walsh)
The humdrum contentment and daily routine of a married mussel farmer are thrown into chaos by the arrival of a mysterious stranger in novellist and filmmaker Helen Walsh’s beautiful, erotic love story set on the Welsh coast.
Once You Shall Be One Of Those Who Lived Long Ago (Dirs. Alexander Rynéus and Per Bifrost)
An affecting, gorgeously crafted documentary about the remaining people in Malmberget in north Sweden, a small town slowly collapsing into the mines beneath it.
Two Neighbors (Dir. Ondine Viñao)
A wealthy socialite (Cherry) and a struggling writer (Chalotra) are thrown together at a debauched party in this remarkable satire of greed and excess with a supernatural twist in the tale.
The winner of The Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking Excellence Competition is Joanna Vymeris’s Mother Goose. The short film competition winner was also decided on by an audience vote and is awarded £15,000 to support their future projects.
After the death of her husband, Janet decides to distract herself by rearing a goose, which is to be the centrepiece of her Christmas dinner. However, as she grows ever more isolated from her daughter, Janet’s need to nurture the goose becomes an obsession: one which will cost her dearly. A modern day Grimm’s fairy-tale about grief, isolation and a goose.
The other shorts in the competition are:
Love Me, Hold Me, Always (Dir. Hardey Speight)
Forced into homelessness after her release from prison, Chrissie searches for love in the margins of society.
Stray (Dir. Morven Christie)
From nightclub to wilderness, a young girl seeks shelter from a world that feels hostile.
Blondi (Dir. Jack Salvadori)
Can a dog still be man’s best friend if that man is the Führer?
The Golden Squacco Heron (Dir. Edward Smyth)
Two childhood friends search for the fabled golden Squacco Heron.
Fowl Play (Dir. Anabelle LeMieux)
A mother’s quest for a Thanksgiving turkey spirals into chaos.
Backstroke (Sırtüstü) (Dir. Asya Günen)
Burdened by pressure and isolation, a young swimmer finds freedom by reclaiming the water for herself.
She Said So (Dir. Madeline Clayton)
A persuasive teenage girl orchestrates a sleepover that tests her best friend’s sexual boundaries.
Jodie (Dir. Seb Tabe)
Jodie faces a moral dilemma as she contends with the harmful male influences in her life.
Your body in my room (Tu cuerpo en mi habitación) (Dir. Axel Cheb Terrab)
Knowing they will never see each other again, two former lovers are acutely aware of the passing of time.
EIFF Director, Paul Ridd has said: “As the 2025 Edinburgh International Film Festival draws to a close I am once again moved and humbled by the hard work and astonishing effort that everyone has put into making this Festival stimulating, entertaining and fun.
“I am so grateful to all the organisations, teams and individuals who put their hearts and souls into this. These past seven days are testament to our collective belief in the power of film to provoke, to stimulate and to inspire empathy.
“Our two competition winners showcase outstanding work from their respective filmmakers and teams, proving that with formal dexterity, humanity and grace, cinema is alive and kicking.
“I am hugely inspired by all the filmmakers in Competition and beyond as well as all our special guests, who have worked so brilliantly with us to platform their work on the big screen and have been so generous with their time with audiences and with industry who we know very well are hungry for something fresh and exciting. I cannot wait for 2026!”
EIFF 2025 is supported by Screen Scotland and the BFI Audience Projects Fund, awarding National Lottery funding, EventScotland part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, and the industry programme is backed by EXPO funding from the Scottish Government through Creative Scotland.
Edinburgh International Film Festival ran from Thursday 14 to Wednesday 20 August.