Edinburgh International Film Festival reveals 2024 programme

The relaunched EIFF runs from Thursday 15 August to Wednesday 21 August

37 new feature films, 18 World Premieres including 10 World Premieres competing for the new Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence, 4 special retrospective screenings, 5 short film programmes including the new Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking Excellence competition, an In Conversation event with iconic filmmaker Gaspar Noé and a strand of thrilling Midnight Madness screenings make up a seven-day celebration of world-class new cinema which also allows audiences, press and industry to easily engage with the best of Edinburgh’s other arts and cultural Festivals.

This year’s Festival programme features musical odysseys, dystopian worlds, laughter in the face of darkness, vivid portraits of characters from the fringes of society and reimagined inner and outer spaces. It showcases new work from filmmakers from the UK, US, Canada, Mexico, Norway, China, Kazakhstan, Belgium, Iran and beyond.

EIFF is pleased to be working with venue partners. The previously announced Cameo Cinema and Summerhall joins new EIFF spaces embedding the Festival in the heart of the Fringe landscape with screenings taking place at 50 George Square, which will be run in partnership with Assembly Festival; Inspace on Crichton Street which will be run in partnership with Monkey Barrel Comedy Club; and Tollcross Central Hall, in a programme which champions a new generation of UK and international talent, including a strong selection of first and second features.

Complementing the previously announced Opening Night film, Nora Fingscheidt’s THE OUTRUN starring Saoirse Ronan, the Festival presents a selection of compelling new and established voices in cinema including 18 World Premieres with an Out of Competition strand offering additional World and UK premieres.

The Closing Night film is the World Premiere of Carla J. Easton and Blair Young’s powerful new documentary SINCE YESTERDAY: THE UNTOLD STORY OF SCOTLAND’S GIRL BANDS, which sits within a strong presence for Scottish filmmakers and Scottish talent also elsewhere in the programme.

Competing for The Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence, ten feature-length World Premieres will be presented, with the winning filmmaker being awarded £50,000 to support their future projects. Decided on by an audience vote, the winner will be announced at the end of the Festival and the award is fully funded by The Sean Connery Foundation.

The competition films are Arash Rakhsha’s urgent documentary ALL THE MOUNTAINS GIVE; Jack King’s powerful Yorkshire-set drama THE CEREMONY; Mary Jiménez and Bénédicte Liénard’s richly poetic FUGA; Will Seefried’s haunting queer drama LILIES NOT FOR ME; Daisy-May Hudson’s stirring film LOLLIPOP; Abdolreza Kahani’s subversive comedy drama A SHRINE; Bryan Carberry’s clear-eyed take on artificial intelligence SMILES AND KISSES YOU; Nina Conti’s absurdist road movie SUNLIGHT; Kelsey Taylor’s dark psychological thriller TO KILL A WOLF; and Manuela Irene’s delicately moving XIBALBA MONSTER. 

Tales of healing, justice and revolution fuel this year’s Out of Competition feature-length films, which showcase a selection of World and UK Premieres.

The Out of Competition films are Sophie Fiennes’s immersive documentary about theatre-makers Cheek by Jowl and The Scottish Play in ACTING; Daniel Reisinger’s bittersweet comedy AND MRS starring Aisling Bea and Colin Hanks; Halfdan Ullmann Tønde’s Camera D’Or Winner ARMAND featuring Renate Reinsve; Nathan Silver’s elegantly observed comedy BETWEEN THE TEMPLES; Guan Hu’s Un Certain Regard Main Prize Winner BLACK DOG; Constance Tsang’s BLUE SUN PALACE about loneliness and human connection; Ben Rivers’ BOGANCLOCH about a hermit living in the Scottish wilderness; Suzanne Smith and Sylvia Solf’s dance-filled South African documentary JOY DANCER; Wei Liang Chiang and You Qiao Yin’s compassionate drama MONGREL; Maryam Moghadam and Behtash Sanaeeha’s profoundly moving meditation on loneliness MY FAVOURITE CAKE; Silje Evensmo Jacobsen’s Sundance Grand Jury prize winning documentary A NEW KIND OF WILDERNESS; Ishan Shukla’s unique and timely animated nightmare SCHIRKOA: IN LIES WE TRUST; Greg Kwedar’s transcendent prison drama SING SING; Adilkhan Yerzhanov’s brutal take on classic Western and Samurai films STEPPENWOLF; Mark Cousins’s new documentary on Scottish artist Wilhelmina Barns-Graham A SUDDEN GLIMPSE TO DEEPER THINGS; Polly Steele’s starkly honest documentary THE MOUNTAIN WITHIN ME; Euros Lyn’s fresh reimagining of the vampire genre THE RADLEYS starring Damian Lewis and Kelly Macdonald; and Alice Lowe’s uniquely entertaining TIMESTALKER. 

Alongside the presentation of the inaugural Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking ExcellenceCompetition Shorts, the legendary Thelma Schoonmaker will attend the Festival and introduce a retrospective screening of Emeric Pressburger and Michael Powell’s much loved film I KNOW WHERE I’M GOING! (1945) set on the Isle of Mull.

Retrospective screenings of the work of cult auteur Brian De Palma include a special presentation of THE UNTOUCHABLES (1987), presented by The Connery Foundation, and a 50th anniversary screening of his no-holds-barred rock horror musical PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE (1974).

Master provocateur Gaspar Noé (Irreversible, Climax, Enter The Void) will attend the Festival for a special In Conversation event discussing his career and filmmaking, ahead of presenting a screening of Dario Argento’s horror masterpiece SUSPIRIA (1977).

Lynda Myles Celebrates is a new special screening showcase for a visionary new work of cinema in the pioneering spirit of writer, academic and former EIFF director Lynda Myles. This year’s film is the World Premiere of Argentinian filmmaker Axel Cheb Terrab’s film GALA & KIWI which will be presented to audiences by Lynda.

Bookending the new Midnight Madness strand and unleashing the best in genre cinema from around the world is the UK Premiere of Fede Álvarez’s ALIEN: ROMULUS and the UK Premiere of Coralie Fargeat’s celebrated new body horror THE SUBSTANCE. Ahead of select Midnight Madness feature film presentations will be a screening of a new short film, further celebrating new genre filmmaking talent. Feature-length titles in the strand are Jack Clark and Jim Weir’s Australian psychological horror BIRDEATER; Kit Redstone and Arran Shearing’s enigmatic and unexpected KING BABY; Damian Mc Carthy’s dread-inducing haunted house story ODDITY, co-presented by The Evolution of Horror Podcast; and James Clarke and Daniel Shephard’s adrenaline fuelled thriller SUNRAY: FALLEN SOLDIER which stars a cast of former Royal Marine Commandos.

The Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking Excellence Competition presents the World Premieres of new exciting work from Scotland, the UK and International filmmakers. The shorts in competition are Lisa Clarkson’s starkly realist PATERNAL ADVICE; Jamie Di Spirito’s powerful HOMEWORK; Gavin Reid’s quirky and poignant documentary MY DAD AND THE VOLCANO; Liberty Smith’s experimental documentary MY EXPLODING HOUSE; Max Olson’s bold and haunting NICO; Trevor Neuhoff’s moving spin on classic noir MANNY WOLFE; Inés Villanueva’s beautiful Argentine comedy SHOAL; and Wilma Smith’s JUBILEE which blends live-action with napkin-based stop-motion animation.

These shorts run alongside freshly commissioned documentaries in the Bridging The Gap Documentary Short Filmsprogramme. The Experimental Shorts strand presents UK premieres of new shorts from around the world and a new Animation Shorts programme will be screened alongside a programme of Out Of Competition Shorts In Association with Screen Academy Scotland.

This year’s industry programme runs across the first weekend of the Festival with industry delegates experiencing the wealth of the film programme and access to all that is on show in the wider festivals month via new collaborations with partners including Screen Fringe. More details on the EIFF Industry programme will follow in the next few weeks.

This year’s 77th edition of the Festival honours the film festival’s history, showcasing the very best talent in filmmaking in a format rooted in a local Scottish context whilst embracing the international diversity of creative expression. EIFF encourages audiences, film fans and industry professionals to make the trip this summer to Edinburgh. 

EIFF Director, Paul Ridd has said: “I am thrilled by what the team, our collaborators and our supporters have put together these past months for all sections of the programme and across our exciting new festival footprint.

“Through a spirit of collaboration, passion and above all teamwork, we have worked to fashion something special out of a shared vision for what we want this historic festival to be going forward, and to offer a platform to an enormous range of film work. Since day one, the audience has always been front and centre in our thinking. And I cannot wait to see these formally exciting, thematically rich and unforgettable films to find their audience with us. Bring it on.”

Isabel Davis, Executive Director of Screen Scotland said: “It’s quite some feat to have landed such an outstanding programme of world premieres, and globally and locally significant work in Year 1 of the rebooted festival.

“It’s a thrill to see Scottish films taking opening and closing night slots:  the Orkney set The Outrun and documentary Since Yesterday: The Untold Story of Scotland’s Girl Bands respectively.  Scottish work punctuates the programme, and with major new competition strands in the name of Sean Connery and Thelma Schoonmaker, not to mention some stellar special guests, Edinburgh is back on the map in a major way. Congratulations to Paul, his chair Andrew Macdonald, fellow board members and exec team.”

Ben Luxford, Director of UK Audiences at the BFI, said: “It is wonderful Edinburgh is returning this summer with a great programme and seeing it redefine its footprint in the city. We are really pleased our support will help the Festival improve accessibility and engage new audiences.”

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “Edinburgh is one of the best places in the world to experience events and EventScotland is proud to be supporting the 77th edition of the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

“Events play an important role in our communities by giving us the chance to connect and share memorable experiences. The exciting and diverse range of films in this year’s programme will provide the perfect stage to entice audiences to come together and explore a variety of cinematic ideas at one of the world’s longest running film festivals.”

Listings went live on the EIFF website from 5pm last night with tickets going on sale midday today (Thursday 11 July) via edfilmfest.org, edfringe.com and via the EdFringe official app. Press and Industry accreditation for EIFF is now open and closes on 2 August.

EIFF 2024 is supported by Screen Scotland and the BFI Audience Projects Fund, awarding National Lottery funding, the Industry Programme is backed by EXPO funding from the Scottish Government through Creative Scotland, and EventScotland part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.

Edinburgh International Film Festival runs from Thursday 15 to Wednesday 21 August 2024.  

PM meets Ukraine’s President

The Prime Minister met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO summit yesterday

The Prime Minister met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO summit yesterday. 

The Prime Minister offered his deepest condolences for the awful attack on a Ukrainian hospital. 

The Prime Minister reiterated that the change in government in the UK meant no change in the UK’s support for Ukraine, as illustrated by the early visit of the Defence Secretary. 

President Zelenskyy thanked the Prime Minister for his kind words in relation to the attack of the hospital, and the immediate steps the UK has taken to further support Ukraine.

They discussed further work to strengthen the maritime capability coalition, broader Ukrainian defensive capabilities, and diplomatic efforts to build on the recent Peace Summit in Switzerland. 

The Prime Minister said he looked forward to speaking further at the European Political Community meeting in the UK next week.

UK to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes, PM to tell NATO

The international community cannot waver in the face of relentless Russian aggression, the Prime Minister will tell NATO today

  • Prime Minister Keir Starmer recommits to £3 billion a year of military support for Ukraine until 2030/31 and for as long as needed
  • He will warn Allies that the frontline defence of the Euro-Atlantic region is the Ukrainian trenches 
  • Comes after the UK pledges to accelerate lethal aid support to Kyiv 

The international community cannot waver in the face of relentless Russian aggression, the Prime Minister will tell NATO today as he doubles down on the UK’s £3 billion per year package of military funding for as long as needed. 

The confirmation of the UK’s multi-year £3 billion military funding package for Ukraine comes after President Putin unleashed a string of sickening attacks this week, including a devastating attack on a children’s hospital in Kyiv. 

The Prime Minister will tell NATO leaders that President Putin’s depraved acts will only serve to steel the international community’s resolve to support Ukraine. 

As well as ensuring Ukraine has the financial support it needs to plan and fuel its defence against Russian forces, the UK will deliver a new package of artillery and 90 Brimstone missiles in the coming weeks. 

The commitment was made by the Defence Secretary after he travelled to Ukraine – at the request of the Prime Minister – on his first full day in the office. 

The UK has also confirmed it will contribute £40 million to NATO’s Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine. The UK is the third largest donor to the Package, ensuring Ukraine can access vital assistance in key areas including counter drone protection, demining of recaptured land and medical rehabilitation of its injured military personnel. 

In addition, the UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine will place a new order, worth £300 million, for 120,000 rounds of 152mm soviet-era ammunition bolstering Ukraine’s defences against Russia.

Speaking to President Zelenskyy in their first official bilateral, the Prime Minister underscored that Ukraine is on an irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO. 

The Prime Minister also met President Biden at the White House last night..

The Prime Minister congratulated President Biden for hosting an excellent NATO summit so far. Both leaders agreed that in its 75th year, NATO is stronger and more united than ever. 

They reflected on the importance of the NATO alliance and the special relationship in the context of current geopolitical challenges, including the ongoing war in Ukraine. They agreed we must continue to do whatever it takes to support Ukraine and ensure aggressors like Putin do not win.

Moving on to discuss the situation in Israel and Gaza, they discussed their shared ambition for an immediate ceasefire to get hostages out, get humanitarian aid in and make progress towards a two-state solution. 

The President welcomed the Prime Minister’s recent comments on establishing closer relationships with our European counterparts, as well as the UK’s commitment to AUKUS. They reflected that at a time when we face growing challenges across the world, we are at our strongest when we unite and work together.

This morning [Thursday, 11 July], the Prime Minister will tell NATO allies during a special session on Ukraine that the alliance must follow in the footsteps of its founders and stand up for the values the international community holds so dear. 

He will also warn that the frontline defence of the Euro-Atlantic region is the Ukrainian trenches. 

He will say: “NATO was founded by the generation who defeated fascism. They understood not just the value of our strength, but the strength of our values. 

“Those values are under attack once again. Putin needs to hear a clear message ringing out from this summit – a message of unity and determination, that we will support Ukraine with whatever it takes, for as long as it takes to uphold our shared values and our shared security. “ 

The UK has delivered almost £12.5bn in military, humanitarian and economic support for Ukraine since Russia’s illegal and miscalculated full scale invasion in February 2022. 

This year alone, the UK has committed 200 new air defence missiles, more than £300 million worth of advanced drones and 50 new sanctions to suffocate profit streams fuelling Putin’s war machine. 

Since the launch of Putin’s assault, the Ministry of Defence estimates that more than 500,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or injured in pursuit of his pointless ambitions.

Helping new Scots settle into communities

Action set out to support integration

A package of measures to help ensure refugees and people seeking asylum are supported to make their new communities their home has been unveiled.

The New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy: Delivery Plan 2024-2026 – developed by the Scottish Government, Scottish Refugee Council and COSLA – includes commitments to work with employers to help them recruit refugees, to identify ways to improve English language provision and to ensure services are co-ordinated effectively.

The plan also aims to ensure people understand their rights, responsibilities and entitlements, and to help New Scots and communities to integrate.

Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart said: “Scotland has a proud history of welcoming those fleeing war and persecution, and we are dedicated to helping them integrate into communities from the day they arrive.

“It is vital that we support refugees and people seeking asylum to understand their rights and access employment and services to help them to rebuild their lives in Scotland.

“This plan, which was informed by engagement with those with experience of seeking refuge and settling in Scotland, as well as those with expertise in supporting them, lays out the steps we will take to support refugees and people seeking asylum to integrate across different parts of society.

“It also recognises the role communities and employers can actively play in supporting people.”

Chief Executive of Scottish Refugee Council Sabir Zazai said: “Global conflicts and humanitarian crises are forcing record numbers of people to flee their homes in search of safety.

“The commitments set out in this plan will help those seeking protection in Scotland to rebuild their lives here in a meaningful and sustainable way. We welcome the plan and thank everyone whose views and expertise helped shape it.”

COSLA Community Wellbeing Spokesperson Cllr Maureen Chalmers said: “Scotland’s local authorities remain fully committed to welcoming and supporting people who are fleeing war and persecution to find safety and integrate in their new communities.

“The New Scots Delivery Plan sets out actions which local authorities will be working towards to help to improve New Scots’ experiences of living in our communities and accessing local services and, importantly, seeks to ensure that they are able to access their rights. Working in partnership with New Scots themselves, and with our partners, including Scottish Government and Scottish Refugee Council, will be key to the successful delivery of this plan.”

UNESCO Chair for Refugee Integration through Education, Languages, Arts at the University of Glasgow and the New Scots Core Group Chair Professor Alison Phipps said: “To develop the New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy Delivery Plan, New Scots and communities across Scotland have reflected deeply on what it means to live together, with and despite differences.

“This plan offers an exciting commitment to action across Scotland and to embedding the rights of all who seek refuge.”

BBQ food preparation advice

It’s common to fire up the BBQ in sunny weather. But, it’s important to follow food safety advice.

This helps to avoid contaminating your food and food poisoning.

Do

  • follow all instructions on the packaging – some foods can be cooked from frozen, while others need to be defrosted in advance
  • defrost meat thoroughly before cooking, ideally in your fridge
  • cook food in the oven before finishing on the barbeque to ensure it’s cooked all the way through
  • keep meat and ready to eat foods separate – like salad and bread
  • turn food regularly to cook it evenly
  • use separate utensils for raw and cooked meats
  • heat foods until steaming hot before eating
  • wash ready to eat salad bags and all foods that can be eaten without peeling

Don’t

  • do not use a sauce or marinade for cooked food that’s had raw meat in it
  • do not wash uncooked meat
  • do not eat hot foods that have been left out in the heat – especially foods like cooked rice, cooked meats, shellfish and dairy products

Avoiding bugs and germs outdoors

The summer months are an opportunity to get out and enjoy outdoor spaces. This can be brilliant for both your physical and mental health. But, be mindful that a small number of people each year are affected by infections caught outdoors.

Do

  • wear gloves while gardening, especially if you handle compost, as there can be Legionella bacteria
  • wear a mask if you’re working on anything dusty
  • wash your hands after doing outdoor activities
  • wash your hands thoroughly if you’ve been in contact with farm animals or the environment where they’re kept – like a gate, fence or building
  • be aware of when and where you can be bitten by ticks – ticks in Scotland can carry the germ that causes Lyme disease
  • take plenty of clean drinking water when you’re outdoors
  • use chemical treatments or boil water to make untreated water safe to drink

Don’t

  • do not drink untreated water – germs like E.coli can contaminate lochs, rivers and burns and can be harmful if swallowed

Leith landlord addressing high cost of home essentials

Addressing high cost of home essentials

Harbour Homes is working hard to assist tenants with the high costs associated with moving into and running a home.

Since April this year Harbour Homes has:

  • Invested £30k in housing starter packs for new tenants to purchase high-quality used furniture from Four Square Edinburgh Initiative. Eligible tenants receive
    a voucher for up to £500 (the amount varies depending on what is needed) to choose their furniture and have it delivered for free. They may also purchase
    brand new items such as cot mattresses and bedding
  • Secured funding of £15k from the Turn2us Edinburgh Trust for tenants to access one-off grants for things like furniture, flooring and white goods, and to
    relieve the cost of living crisis
  • Set up a carpeting/flooring fund of £6k for tenants who cannot otherwise afford floor coverings
  • Allocated £3k to a white goods/washing machine fund for tenants

Fiona Whitelaw, Tenant Advice Team Leader at Harbour Homes, said: “With the cost of living crisis showing little sign of abating and changes to the Scottish Welfare Fund, unfortunately many more of our tenants are finding it increasingly difficult to pay for essentials such as flooring, furniture and white goods.

“We’re really proud of all the work we’re doing to secure and free up funding so people can have these essentials in their homes.”

Second Phase of luxury apartments introduced at West Craigs Green

A collection of eight luxury apartments has been released by the award-winning Scottish housebuilder, Cruden Homes, at the highly sought-after West Craigs Green development in the heart of West Edinburgh.

This exclusive collection offers a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments, all with stunning views of the nearby Lennie Park and Turnhouse golf course. The two-bedroom units feature private balconies, providing an ideal spot to enjoy the breathtaking sunset views.

With prices starting from £220,000, each apartment boasts an open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area, designed with both comfort and style in mind. High-quality fixtures and fittings are included as standard. This release marks the second phase of apartments within the development, following the successful launch of the first phase in early April 2024, which saw strong levels of demand.

In addition to the new apartments, the West Craigs development includes a range of three-bedroom terraced and semi-detached houses, and four-bedroom townhouses, each with private gardens.

The West Craigs area is undergoing significant transformation, evolving into a vibrant and friendly neighbourhood with abundant green spaces, including the newly established Lennie and Meadowfield Parks. Future plans include a new primary school and nursery, café, and health centre within walking distance.

Conveniently situated between Barnton and South Gyle, West Craigs Green is just five miles from Edinburgh city centre. It benefits from excellent transport links, including cycle routes, bus, rail, and tram stops in close proximity.

The Gyle Shopping Centre is easily accessible on foot or by car, offering a range of amenities such as high street shops, a supermarket, and eateries.

Hazel Davies, Sales and Marketing Director at Cruden Homes, said: “West Craigs Green is a vibrant, community-focused development, and is perfectly located for those who wish to live in more scenic surroundings with all the benefits of staying close to the city centre. 

“Many of these spacious apartments have balconies providing scenic views of Lennie Park and Turnhouse golf course. We had a great response to the first phase of apartments and it highlights the strong demand for quality housing in this area.

“This new release of apartments further enhances this wonderful development, making it an excellent choice for first-time buyers, young professionals, and those looking to downsize.”

A number of incentives are available for home buyers looking to move into West Craigs Green, including part exchange and assisted move packages, along with Land and Buildings Transaction Tax support, furniture packages and flooring. 

Prices for the latest release of apartments range from £220,000, with first completions expected in November 2024.

To view or find out more about reserving a property at Cruden Homes’ latest West Craigs Green development, visit www.westcraigsgreen.co.uk or call 0131 600 0095.

The sales and marketing suite, along with the show home, are open Thursday to Monday, 10:30 am – 5:30 pm.

Festivals Edinburgh appoints new Director

After a worldwide search, Festivals Edinburgh has appointed Lori [Lorraine] Anderson as its new Director, succeeding Julia Amour who is stepping down from the role in October 2024.

Lori Anderson will lead the organisation in the next stage of development, as it takes the steps needed to achieve the ambitions mapped out in the 2030 Festival City Vision.  She brings unique experience to the position most recently as Director of Culture Counts, the network of arts, heritage, and creative industries organisations in Scotland, and previously with Scotland + Venice, Creative Dundee, Collective Gallery, and Museums Galleries Scotland.

Simon Gage, Chair of Festivals Edinburgh said: “Lori joins us at a moment of significant change in our festivals landscape.

“We’ve bounced back from the covid pandemic but remain fragile, as does the wider culture eco-system. There are many challenges to be confronted in the coming years, but also many opportunities to be seized, and in Lori we believe we have found an exceptionally authoritative advocate to help shape our collective future.”

A post-pandemic study has shown that the Edinburgh Festivals are an even stronger draw now thanks to their unique, ‘must see’ reputations, which support the regrowth of jobs and livelihoods. As well as realising more cultural and economic impact with a lower carbon footprint, the Festivals engagement with local communities and schools has also risen by more than a third since 2018.

The new Director will take up her role just as changes are underway in both festivals’ strategies and wider culture & tourism policies, including the planned introduction of a Visitor Levy by City of Edinburgh Council – the first in the United Kingdom – and the national campaign for all political parties to reinvest in culture, building on Scottish Government commitments to increase funding by £100m over coming years.

Commenting on her appointment, Lori Anderson said: “The Edinburgh Festivals are amongst Scotland’s greatest cultural assets, recognised at home and abroad as bringing immense cultural, economic and social value to the country and its people.

“The fragility of our cultural landscape is all too familiar to me, but the agility of the Edinburgh Festivals in responding to change has always impressed me, and I look forward to taking up this crucial role at the heart of the festivals family.”

Excellent International Baccalaureate Diploma results from Fettes College

On Saturday 6th July, the worldwide International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) results were released, bringing excellent news for the members of the Fettes College Upper Sixth Form who have been following the IB pathway for the past two years. 

The school is incredibly proud of the achievements of this talented group of students who scored an impressive average score of 38 points – the best results at Fettes College since 2018. This is compared to a global average of 30 points.

Almost a third of all Fettes candidates gained 40 points or more, with 56% gaining or exceeding a score of 38 points. Four of our students deserve a special mention – two achieving 43 points, one achieving an outstanding 44 points and another, taking the diploma over three years, scoring an exceptional (maximum) 45 points.

The Fettes College IB class of 2024 leave Fettes for distinguished universities across the world such as British Columbia, Harvard, Amsterdam, as well as Oxford (English), Cambridge (Classics), LSE, Edinburgh and St Andrews.

Jonathan Marchant, Deputy Head (Academic) said: “The IB continues to flourish at Fettes. I could not be prouder of the achievements of the IB class of 2024.

“They have shown impressive industry, curiosity and creativity and can now enjoy the fruits of their labour.”

The Head, Helen Harrison, said “Our IB results are testament to a great deal of hard work from our students and superb support from our dedicated staff who maximise the opportunities for students to learn. 

“Our IB students are ready for the next exciting stage in their lives, and we wish them well as they head out to make their mark on the world.”

Fettes College offers both the International Baccalaureate and A Level pathways in the Sixth Form, with the A Level results released in August.

Series of creative workshops support neurodivergent young people across Edinburgh this summer

Neurodiversity charity Salvesen Mindroom Centre collaborates with local creative organisations to create opportunities and support the transition to life beyond school

Free-to-attend workshops will take place between 16 – 31 July 

Salvesen Mindroom Centre, a charity that champions all forms of neurodiversity and supports all kinds of minds, has launched a series of creative workshops to support neurodivergent young people across Edinburgh this Summer.

The sessions, delivered through collaboration with local creative organisations Artlink Edinburgh and Out of the Blueprint, will encourage neurodivergent young people approaching the end of their school careers in Edinburgh and surrounding areas, to explore their hopes and dreams for the future and showcase often-hidden talent in the creative arts.

Kicking off with an afternoon of clay sculpture on Tuesday, July 16, the series will include ground-based circus skills on July 18, a 4-day series of eco-friendly comic art Riso printing workshops (from July 22 to July 25), an afternoon creating special effects make-up on July 29 and, to conclude, an afternoon of green screen video production on Wednesday, July 31.

Alan Thornburrow, CEO of Salvesen Mindroom Centre, said: “It’s clear to our dedicated team that the uncertainty around significant change to their well-known environment and the thought of meeting an array of new people when transitioning to life beyond school give rise to a high level of anxiety for neurodivergent young people who have reached the end of their scholastic careers.

“There is also, very often, a natural amount of creative talent, without the opportunity to explore how this might make the transition easier, and that’s why we decided to reach out to a range of incredible creative organisations in Edinburgh to ask if they might like to work with us to help facilitate this transition.”

Those qualifying for the free spaces available (14 to 18 years old, care experienced or on the edges of care and neurodivergent) will have the opportunity to apply for their preferred workshop using a dedicated booking form, or they can contact the team at Mindroom directly.

For bookings and full details around the different workshops, please use this link.

PM says step up in defence spending can safeguard the future of NATO

PM Keir Starmer has underlined the UK’s ‘cast iron commitment’ to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence to respond to growing threats, ahead of a NATO summit

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has underlined the UK’s ‘cast iron commitment’ to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence to respond to growing threats, ahead of a NATO summit where he will say a step up in defence spending can safeguard the future of the Alliance.  

At the summit in Washington D.C., the PM will emphasise his determination to face down global threats to Britain and its western allies. He will praise NATO members’ efforts to increase defence spending and say that further increases in spending will help the alliance tackle the nature of today’s threats.  

The Prime Minister has also confirmed today that he will launch the Government’s Strategic Defence Review next week, with detailed preparatory work already undertaken by Defence Secretary John Healey – who will oversee the review.  

The review will determine the future defence posture of the UK, the capabilities needed and will set out a roadmap to achieving 2.5% of GDP on defence. He will confirm that the review will put a ‘NATO-first’ policy at the heart of Britain’s defence plans.  

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “There is no more important duty for me as Prime Minister than keeping the people of our country safe.  

“At a time when we face multiple threats at home and abroad, we must make sure we are ready to defend ourselves. That’s why I have immediately ordered a root-and-branch review that will secure Britain’s defences for the future.  

“Working with our most important partners around the world, our Strategic Defence Review will make sure the UK is sending a clear message to those who seek to undermine peace and democracy – you will not succeed.”

Defence Secretary John Healey said: “Britain’s commitment to NATO is unshakeable. We cannot have prosperity without security and we must never take our ability to live freely for granted. 

“The world is increasingly volatile with rapidly changing global threats. In the footsteps of Bevin, our government will help ensure we have a strong NATO in this increasingly insecure world. 

“Our government’s first duty is to keep the country safe. That’s why we will increase defence spending and launch a Strategic Defence Review to ensure we have the capabilities needed to protect the UK now and in the future. The Review will also set out defence reforms to secure faster procurement and better value for money.”

Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, said: “NATO is part of Britain’s DNA. 75 years ago, Ernest Bevin helped to establish NATO. Today, as then, our commitment to NATO is completely unshakeable.

“We cannot have stability and prosperity without national security. That’s why NATO is the ultimate guarantor of our ability to live freely and build a more prosperous future, for the people of this country and our Allies.

“Ukraine’s security is our security, so our priority for Washington must be to show that NATO support for Ukraine remains iron-clad, and our support will be sustained. Putin thinks he can outwait the West, but he is mistaken.” 

Building on our existing global defence partnerships such as AUKUS and GCAP, the Prime Minister is determined to make sure the UK is one of the leading defence players on the world stage, and alongside our like-minded partners prove that progressive, peaceful democracies will ultimately triumph over tyranny.  

The Strategic Defence Review will consider the nature of the threats we face – including Putin’s ongoing brutal invasion of Ukraine, continued instability in the Middle East and the rise of authoritarian countries – and the capabilities we need to tackle them.  

That includes the shape of our Armed Forces and their readiness to fight, enhancing our defence partnerships, developing a new defence industrial strategy, ensuring our defence staff have the capabilities and skills needed, and delivering procurement reform. 

The Review will be conducted in consultation with allies, industry and external experts and its recommendations will be reported to the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary, as well as being laid before parliament.  

A major element of the Strategic Defence Review will be an emphasis on deepening our defence ties with NATO countries and other international partners. 

Over the next two days, the Prime Minister will meet the UK’s most important allies for the first time on the international stage, to drive forward progress on defence and other priorities – including supporting Ukraine against Russia’s ongoing illegal war, which has now entered its third year.