Edinburgh International Film Festival – The NEN

Edinburgh International Film Festival 2026 to present World Premiere of NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab Short Films

The NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab is supported by the Sean Connery Foundation and BBC Film
EIFF runs from 13 – 19 August 2026

Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF), the National Film and Television School (NFTS) Scotland and The Sean Connery Foundation have announced that the six short films created as part of the second NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab will have their World Premieres as part of this year’s Film Festival.

The short films are Bubbles (Writer/Director: Jagoda Tlok); Shutterbug (Writer/Director: Fin Bain); My Little Blue Heart (Writer/Director: Iqbal Mohammed); PANG (Writer/Director: Lara Delmage); St Anthony (Writer/Director: Declan Dineen); Angel in the House (Writer/Director: Missy McNaught).

These six films will World Premiere at EIFF’s prestigious showcase event with an invite list of key industry figures from across Scotland, the UK and beyond.

This is the second consecutive year that NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab films have had their World Premiere at EIFF.

Made with the financial support and creative guidance of BBC Film, the NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab is a transformative 12-month talent development programme which provides a unique opportunity for 22 aspiring filmmakers across five disciplines (writer/directors, producers, cinematographers and editors) to create their own unique short films.

To ensure the programme is as accessible to as many people as possible, each of the 22 places have been substantially subsidised, with 70% of fees underwritten by the Sean Connery Foundation.

Located in Leith, close to the expanding creative quarter under development by FirstStage Studios in partnership with Forth Ports and others, the participating filmmakers from across Scotland have embarked on a collaborative filmmaking journey which began in April 2025.

Six dynamic filmmaking teams were assembled, gaining access to a first-class training curriculum, made up of seminars, hands-on workshops and mentorship opportunities. Dedicated guidance from renowned NFTS Heads of Department and prominent industry executives, including BBC Film, also enriched and enhanced the development and post-production process.

Each filmmaking team received a £25,000 production budget, with free access to cutting-edge equipment and unrivalled training facilities provided by NFTS Scotland. The tailor-made programme has been designed to further amplify the expertise of each participant in their respective craft specialism, allowing them to refine their skills and push the boundaries of creativity.

The programme was also designed to be part-time, enabling participants to strike a balance between other paid work and professional engagements.

Aligned with the unwavering commitment of NFTS to promoting diversity within the industry, the NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab is dedicated to providing a supportive and inclusive experience for disabled and neuro-divergent individuals, including those with conditions such as dyslexia, a cause close to the heart of The Sean Connery Foundation.

Upon successful completion of the programme, participants will be awarded an NFTS Diploma in Filmmaking.

Now, after an intensive 12 months, the NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab has culminated in the creation of six short films that serve as powerful industry ‘calling cards’, offering an invaluable launchpad for the 22 talented individuals to make their mark on the world of film.

The NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab is supported by a wide range of industry partners, trusts and foundations who have pledged their support to underpin the programme with additional funding, bursaries and scholarships.

BBC Film is the production partner with several other partners joining the Talent Lab including: The Dana and Albert Broccoli Foundation, FirstStage Studios, Blazing Griffin, DNA Films, Hartswood Films, Juniper Trust, LS Productions, the Rank Foundation, Synchronicity Films, Baillie Gifford and Progressive Broadcast Hire.

Paul Ridd, CEO and Festival Director of EIFF, has said: “We were once again highly impressed by the range, quality and ambition of these short films.

“We are delighted to World Premiere the work emerging from this exciting initiative, and we look forward to these new filmmaking voices from Scotland announcing themselves at Edinburgh in August.”

Jon Wardle, NFTS Director said: “It’s so rewarding to see the second slate of NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab films premiere at EIFF.

“Having these six compelling films make their debut at Scotland’s leading film festival is a powerful reflection of the Lab’s ethos, the commitment of our partners, and above all, the extraordinary talent emerging from the filmmaking community across Scotland and beyond.”

Chris Young, Head of the Sean Connery Talent Lab commented: “It’s incredibly exciting to see a second slate of films from the Sean Connery Talent Lab premiere once again at EIFF.

The success of our debut films demonstrated not only the value of this programme but the strength and originality of emerging filmmaking talent in Scotland.

“These latest films continue that momentum, showcasing distinctive and ambitious storytelling.”

Alice Ojha, Commissioning Executive, BBC Film, said: “We’re delighted that the six films from the second year of the lab will receive their world premiere at EIFF; it’s brilliant to see the work of the Sean Connery Talent Lab’s participants being recognised by the festival in this way.

“The range and quality of the films speaks to the wealth of emerging film talent coming out of Scotland and beyond. BBC Film is proud to have been involved in supporting this slate of films and very excited for them to be enjoyed by audiences in Edinburgh this coming August!”

Stephane and Jason Connery, on behalf of the Sean Connery Foundation, said: “We are incredibly proud of what this second cohort of Sean Connery Talent Lab filmmakers has achieved.

“The creativity, ambition and dedication they have shown throughout the programme is reflected in this outstanding new slate of films.

“We are also deeply grateful to the many industry mentors and guest lecturers who have helped make the Talent Lab such a unique experience.

“Their generosity in sharing their knowledge, including contributors such as Andy Harries, creator and executive producer of The Crown, has played an invaluable role in supporting these emerging filmmakers as they take the next step in their careers.”

Edinburgh International Film Festival will run from 13-19 August 2026. Building on EIFF’s reinvigorated vision under new leadership from CEO and Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa, the Festival continues to accelerate the discovery of new film talent and engage with audiences, industry members and local, national and international media.

More information will be released on the shape of the 2026 Festival, venues and key strategic partners in the coming months.

EIFF 2026 is supported by Screen Scotland and the BFI National Lottery Audience Projects Fund.

The EIFF team continues to create a world-class showcase for independent film and filmmaking talent. The Festival is supported by a Board chaired by Andrew Macdonald of DNA Films, producer of the iconic Edinburgh-based film Trainspotting, including Vice Chair Amy Jackson, producer of BAFTA award-winning indie, Aftersun; Peter Rice, former Chairman of General Entertainment at Disney and President of 21st Century Fox; Teresa Moneo, producer and former Director of UK Film, Netflix; Isla Macgillivray, Partner at Saffrey; and gaming executive Romana Ramzan.

Website: https://www.edfilmfest.org/

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Edinburgh International Film Festival 2026 announces Closing Night film

World Premiere of Louise Lockwood’s moving documentary Bel

This gripping documentary chronicles the legacy and talent of a lost Scottish artist and the efforts to keep her memory and music alive

Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has announced that the closing night film of its 79th edition, running from 13 – 19 August 2026, will be the World Premiere of Louise Lockwood’s powerful debut documentary feature Bel.

Bel tells the story of Beldina Odenyo, the Kenyan-Scottish musician, singer and songwriter, who performed under the stage name, Heir of the Cursed as well as working across Scotland’s theatre and poetry communities.

After her acclaimed performance at the Scottish Album of the Year Awards in 2021, Bel took her own life, leaving behind raw, intimate video diaries and a hard drive full of original songs of great beauty.

This stirring film documents the journey her sister and friends took to release her work posthumously, creating a heartfelt, insightful portrait of a complex, intelligent and profoundly talented young woman.

Bel is the first feature documentary for cinematic release from Louise Lockwood who has been making acclaimed multi-award-winning television documentaries for over 20 years.

Louise has said: “I never knew Bel but her sister, Leah, is my friend. We live in the same village outside Glasgow, our children go to school together and I witnessed the impact Bel’s death had on her family and friends.

“When she died Bel was still relatively unknown, I want to help Leah change that. The talent was and still is there – hopefully this film will help give Bel a platform to share it from.”

Produced by BAFTA-winning producer Sarah Howitt; executive producers John Archer (Hopscotch Films), Nancy Bornat, and Mark Thomas; and associate producer, the award-winning Scottish poet, novelist, and playwright Jackie Kay.

Bel was commissioned for BBC Two, BBC Scotland and iPlayer by Clare Sillery, former Head of Commissioning, Documentaries and David Harron, Commissioning Editor, BBC Scotland. The Commissioning Editor is Emma Loach, Interim Head of Commissioning, Documentaries and the Commissioning Executive is Shona Thompson.

Bel is supported by Screen Scotland, BBC and National Theatre of Scotland.

EIFF CEO and Festival Director, Paul Ridd has said: “From the moment we saw this profoundly moving film we knew it had to be at our Festival.

“Honouring a lost Scottish artist with sensitivity, warmth and nuance, Louise Lockwood’s film, like Bel’s music, is humane, intimate and raw. We can think of no more perfect a way to close the Festival than with this wonderful film.”

Isabel Davis, Executive Director of Screen Scotland said: “This is the perfect platform for Louise Lockwood’s debut theatrical feature Bel, building on her multi-award-winning body of work in Scotland to date.

“It is fantastic to have been able to support this intensely moving film. EIFF has become a vital meeting point between filmmakers and audiences, with conversations that begin in Edinburgh continuing to resonate internationally long after the festival ends.

“Those early connections can shape the trajectory of a film around the world; with each edition, EIFF strengthens its reputation as a launchpad for ambitious new work.”

Associate Producer Jackie Kay has said: “Bel’s time on earth was too short. Her afterlife would surprise her if only she could come back to see.

“Hers was a haunting presence, she was mesmerising to see perform live. With this profoundly moving and insightful documentary, Bel’s legacy is rich, stretching into the unmarked years.”

Sarah Howitt, Hopscotch Films, has said: ‘Telling Bel’s story has been an absolute privilege for all of us.

“It was vital to us as filmmakers to work closely with those who knew and loved Bel to celebrate her extraordinary talent and bring Bel and her work to a wider audience. Her death had a huge impact on so many, but her music will live on and her story will continue to resonate for many years to come.”

This year’s EIFF runs from 13 – 19 August 2026 and opens with the International Premiere of Edinburgh-born filmmaker Louis Paxton’s debut feature The Incomer.

The full programme for this year’s EIFF will launch on 1 July.

EIFF’s invigorated vision under leadership from CEO & Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa continues to accelerate the discovery of new film talent and engage with audiences, industry members and local, national and international media.   

More information will be released about the 2026 Festival in the coming months. 

EIFF 2026 is supported by Screen Scotland. 

Chair Amy Jackson, producer of BAFTA award-winning indie, Aftersun; Peter Rice, former Chairman of General Entertainment at Disney and President of 21st Century Fox; Teresa Moneo, producer and former Director of UK Film, Netflix; Isla Macgillivray, Partner at Saffery; and video game producer Romana Ramzan.

Edinburgh International Film Festival 2025 draws to a close and continues to scale up, building creative in-roads with filmmakers and industry

With 194 screenings, 34 Industry and panel events, the Festival welcomed over 300 filmmakers, producers and distributors to present their films
A total in person attendance over 16500

Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) 2025 draws to a close following a seven-day programme of sold-out premieres, illuminating talks, retrospectives and well-received industry events which continues to build on last year’s successful Festival reboot.

The Festival ran from 14 – 20 August with 43 new feature films, 18 of which were World Premieres including 10 World Premieres competing for The Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence, this year won by Abdolreza Kahani’s Mortican, and 6 short film programmes including The Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking Excellence competition, this year won by Joanna Vymeris’s Mother Goose.

The Festival presented special retrospectives including Sacred Bonds, the 6 original James Bond films starring Sean Connery, introduced by members of the Connery family and special guests, and Budd Boetticher’s The Ranown Cycle presented in partnership with Edinburgh Film Guild, alongside 6 special retrospective screenings with introductions from special guests including Andrea Arnold, Kevin Macdonald, Nia DaCosta and David Hayman.

In Conversation events with major film talent took place, with legendary film editor Thelma Schoonmaker discussing Michael Powell, Ken Loach, Paul Laverty and Rebecca O’Brien, Jeremy Thomas and Mark Cousins, Eva Victor and Adele Romanski, Nia DaCosta, Ben Wheatley and Andy Starke, Andrea Arnold, and Kevin Macdonald and Andrew Macdonald, in partnership with BAFTA Scotland. Hosts included Director of BFI Filmmaking Fund Mia Bays, Variety Film Critic Guy Lodge, Director of Edinburgh TV Festival Rowan Woods, Edinburgh Comedy Award Winning Comedian, Actor & Writer Rose Matafeo, 90 Minutes or Less Podcaster Sam Clements and We Are Parable Co-Founder and Creative Director Anthony Andrews.

The Festival kicked off on 14 August with the UK Premiere of Eva Victor’s acclaimed breakout hit Sorry, Baby and presented a selection of compelling new and established voices in cinema including 39 World Premieres and 48 UK Premieres across features and shorts.

The Festival platformed new talent in Scotland with World Premieres of new shortform work from the inaugural NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab and new Bridging the Gap documentary shorts in partnership with the Scottish Documentary Institute.

Closing the Festival was the World Premiere of Paul Sng’s brilliantly inventive Irvine Welsh documentary Reality Is Not Enough, rounding off a programme with a strong presence for Scotland-based filmmakers and Scottish talent.

The Festival programme showcased new work from filmmakers from 36 countries including Scotland, UK, US, Ireland, Canada, Spain, Greece, Denmark, Croatia, France, Turkey, Australia, Brazil, Japan, Iran, Argentina, South Africa and beyond.

EIFF also continued to thrill audiences with its Midnight Madness strand beginning with the World Premiere of Ben Wheatley’s visionary Bulk and ending with Macon Blair’s new take on The Toxic Avenger.

The Festival worked with venue partners including the newly reopened Filmhouse alongside Cameo Cinema, Vue Omni, Monkey Barrel Comedy and a new pop-up cinema at the National Galleries of Scotland’s Hawthornden Theatre in partnership with Assembly Festival, once again placing EIFF at the heart of the Fringe and August’s unparalleled Festival landscape.

Tollcross Central Hall served as the Festival Hub, open throughout the Festival to industry and press delegates for industry panels and networking events, alongside informal meeting and working spaces.

With 194 screenings and 34 Industry and panel events, the Festival saw a total in person admissions at public events of over 16,500. All of which added up to the seven-day celebration of world-class new cinema championing a new generation of UK and international talent and seeing audiences, press and industry engage with the best of Edinburgh’s other arts and cultural Festivals.

The Industry Programme ran across the whole of the Festival and was very well received by attending guests with praise for EIFF championing both the spirit of independent cinema globally and locally and cross-arts conversations. Press and industry delegates experienced a wealth of programming including talks and panels discussing disability inclusion and access within film projects with CODE, OSKA Bright and BFI; a case study on Development to Distribution of The Outrun with BBC Film, StudioCanal, Brock Media,Protagonist and Edinburgh International Book Festival; Crafting Fear Through Games and Film with Screen Burn Interactive and Nia DaCosta; an overview of the animation sector in Scotland with Animation Scotland and Animated Women UK; a Screenwriting in Scotland discussion event in association with Writers Guild of Great Britain with Andrea Gibb, Paul Laverty, Paul Sng and Kelly Macdonald; a panel on How Female Creators Are Using TikTok to Break Into the Exclusive World of Film.

A Scottish/Irish Co-Production Opportunities event was hosted with Enterprise Ireland, Filming in Limerick and Screen Scotland, and Screen Scotland delivered an informative session on the new Talent Builder development project.

Other Networking Brunches and Networking Drinks were delivered in partnership with WFTV, Production Guild of Great Britain, Screen Fringe, BBC Film, Screen Academy Scotland, Animation Scotland, Animated Women UK and Writers Guild of Great Britain.

As part of a new partnership with production company Unified led by BAFTA winning producer Amy Jackson (The Nest, Aftersun) and BAFTA winning producer Lauren Dark (The Father, Enys Men), the Festival hosted industry talks from Interim Head of Creative at Film4 Farhana Bhula; Oscar-nominated producer David Hinojosa (Past Lives, The Brutalist, EIFF 2025 title After This Death); Oscar-winning producer Adele Romanski (Moonlight, Aftersun); Director of BBC Film Eva Yates; A24’s Rose Garnett, former Director of BBC Film and Film4; Oscar-nominated producer Finola Dwyer (An Education, Brooklyn), BFI Director of Video Games and Certification Anna Mansi and Executive Director of Screen Scotland Isabel Davis.

Every screening and event at the Festival was introduced by a member of the EIFF team, and BSL interpretation was offered at 33 screenings that were presented with HOH Descriptive Subtitles. Audio Description was provided where possible and live captioning was provided at In Conversation events and panels.

The Festival welcomed over 300 filmmakers, producers and distributors to present their films, over 250 industry delegates including buyers, sales agents, commissioners and festival programmers including Eugene Hernandez, Head of Sundance Film Festival & Public Programming, and Jacqueline Lyanga, Co-Director of Film Programming at Berlinale, and over 170 press delegates.

Filmmakers and actors attending the Festival included Thelma Schoonmaker, Ken Loach, Renée Zellweger, Andrea Arnold, Jeremy Thomas, Kevin Macdonald, Andrew Macdonald, Nia DaCosta, David Hayman, Kate Dickie, Paul Laverty, Rebecca O’Brien, Kelly Macdonald, Eva Victor, Ben Wheatley, Eddie Marsan, Burn Gorman, Rose Matafeo, Jane Horrocks, Golda Roshuevel, Paul Andrew Williams, Brenda Blethyn, John McPhail, Andrew Kötting, Simon Rumley, Stacy Martin, Sam Riley, Alexandra Maria Lara, Noah Taylor, Gerard Johnson, Polly Maberly, Julie Pacino, Nadia Fall, Reed Birney, Constantine Costi, Barry Ward, Lorne MacFadyen, Steve Oram, Steven Saltzman, Douglas Mackinnon, Abdolreza Kahani, Gola and many more.

EIFF Director, Paul Ridd has said: “We are extremely proud of all the exceptional films we launched, as well as all the filmmakers, cinematic legends and audiences we welcomed to Edinburgh this past week.

“Our competitions continue to thrive, with buzzy titles provoking, entertaining and moving audiences, and our wider programme of features, shorts, events and talks signal our place in a global film culture that is alive and exciting.

“Putting it all together has been the collaborative work of many organisations, teams and individuals, and we owe them all an immense debt of gratitude. We cannot wait for EIFF 2026.”

Isabel Davis, Executive Director, Screen Scotland has said: “Filmmakers, audiences, and industry have been brought together thanks to a very strong proposition from Paul and the team at EIFF: the world premiere feature and short competitions, extraordinary insight from some of the most exciting filmmakers working today, and opportunities to network across the festival including with the Fringe being some of the highlights.

“With Cameo, the newly re-opened Filmhouse, Vue and the National Gallery all screening films and with Tollcross Central Hall now the recognized industry place to be and events venue, the festival has taken another confident step forward.”

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 2025.

Helmed by Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa, the EIFF team aims to create a world-class showcase for independent film and filmmaking talent.

Former Acquisitions Executive Ridd is supported by EIFF Board, including Chair Andrew Macdonald of DNA Films, producer of the iconic Edinburgh-based film Trainspotting; Peter Rice, former Chairman of General Entertainment at Disney and President of 21st Century Fox; and Vice Chair Amy Jackson, producer of award-winning indie, Aftersun; Teresa Moneo, Former Director of UK Film, Netflix; Isla Macgillivray, Partner at Saffrey; and Romana Ramzan, Producer at Screen Burn Interactive.

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.

EIFF 2025, Thelma Schoonmaker Award Winner, Mother Goose; Edinburgh International Film Festival, Aug 2025; Photographer: Kat Gollock © EIFF, Edinburgh International Film Festival All Rights Reserved

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!”

Edinburgh International Film Festival ran from Thursday 14 to Wednesday 20 August.

Police: Leave plenty of time for your travel in town tomorrow

Edinburgh City Centre is likely to be very busy on tomorrow (Thursday, 21 August) due to several events taking place.

Alongside the Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe Festival, AC/DC will perform Murrayfield Stadium and Hibernian FC will play Legia Warszawa.

Divisional Commander for Edinburgh, Chief Superintendent David Robertson, said: “With multiple events on in Edinburgh on Thursday, locals and visitors are advised to leave plenty of time to travel around the city.

“Transport is likely to be busier than normal so please plan your journeys in advance.

“An appropriate policing plan is in place and additional officers will be on patrol in the city.”

New Guests at this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival

Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has announced a new selection of guests attending this year’s Festival in support of World and UK Premieres and events.

Attending the Festival for the UK premiere of acclaimed film Dragonfly are director Paul Andrew Williams (London to Brighton, Bull), Andrea Riseborough (Oblivion, Birdman), Brenda Blethyn (Saving Grace, Pride & Prejudice) and Jason Watkins (The Last Honour of Christopher Jefferies, The Catch).

For the World Premiere of taut psychological crime thriller All The Devils Are Here director Barnaby Roper (The Interview, Scratch’n’Sniff) will attend the Festival with stars Eddie Marsan (Sherlock Holmes, Ray Donovan), Burn Gorman (Pacific Rim, Watcher) and Tienne Simon (Grime Kids, C. B. Strike).

In town for the World Premiere of the exuberant and thoroughly entertaining family film Grow, director John McPhail (Anna and The Apocalypse, Dear David) will be joined by stars Golda Rosheuvel (Bridgerton, Eye For An Eye), Jane Horrocks (Little Voice, Cabaret), Dominic McLaughlin (HBO’s Harry Potter series), Priya Rose (Young Becky, The Lazarus Project) and Jeremy Swift (Ted Lasso, Snow White).

For the UK Premiere of beautifully performed psychological thriller Islands, star Sam Riley (Maleficent, On The Road) will join director Jan Ole Gerster (Oh Boy!, A Friend Of Mine, Lara), Jack Farthing (Poldark, Spencer) and Stacy Martin (The Brutalist).

The UK Premiere of The Golden Spurtle will see director Constantine Costi (Karakorum, Abduction) in attendance alongside participants from the competitive porridge making documentary including Charlie Miller, the former self-titled Chieftain of the Golden Spurtle.

Attending the Festival are the Competition filmmakers who make up this year’s main competition, The Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence. They are: Director Harry Lagoussis (Stratos), Zlatko Burić (Triangle of Sadness, Pusher) and Ella Rumpf (Raw, Tiger Girl) for Novak; Director Jaclyn Bethany (Indigo Valley, The Delta Girl), writer Alex Sarregeorgiou and star Francois Arnaud (The Borgias, I Killed My Mother) for In Transit; Campbell X (Stud Life, Des!re) for Low Rider; Filmmakers Per Bifrost (Autonomous, Giants and the Morning After) & Alexander Rynéus (The Glitter Factory, Giants and the Morning After)  for Once You Shall Be One of Those Who Lived Here Long Ago; Director Mas Bouzidi (Flâneur, Four Grooves) for Concessions; Filmmakers Ondine Vinao (Holy Fools, Bottom of a Bottle), Ivy Freeman-Attwood (Bob Marley: One Love, On Point) and Ralph Ineson (The Witch, Fantastic Four) for Two Neighbors; Director Jesse Noah Klein (Shadowboxing, We’re Still Together) for Best Boy; Abdolreza Kahani (A Shrine, which screened in Competition at EIFF 2024, Delighted, Hich), Nima Sadrzadeh Jolgeh (A Shrine) and Gola (Head Over Heels, Tehran 1998) for Mortician; Filmmaker Elliott Tuttle (The Steps, Lina’s Song), Reed Birney (The Menu, House of Cards) and Kieron Moore (Code of Silence, Vampire Academy) for Blue Film; Director Helen Walsh (The Violators, The Gathering), Barry Ward (Jimmy’s Hall, Blood Cells), Lorne Macfadyen (Operation Mincemeat, The Little Stranger) and Liz White (Life on Mars, The Woman in Black) for On the Sea.

Across the wider programme, director Nadia Fall attends Brides alongside performers Ebada Hassan and Safiyya Ingar; Director Brendan Canty will attend for his Cork set film Christy; Director Gerard Johnson and star Polly Maberly attend for their darkly hilarious new thriller Odyssey; Director Urska Djukic attends for coming-of-age film Little Trouble Girls; Filmmaker Lucio Castro for the erotic thriller After this Death and Charlie Shackleton for his meta documentary Zodiac Killer Project.

Director Simon Rumley and star Steve Oram bring their unflinching film Crushed to the Festival; Director Julie Pacino and star Cara Seymour bring psychological horror I Live Here Now; Welsh language opera adaptation Fires of the Moon director Christopher Forster will be town; Surviving Earth filmmaker Thea Gajic; Director of the intimate documentary Walk With Me; Heidi Levitt, Directors Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni for their film Cutting Through Rocks; Director Harry Sherriff for darkly comic Misper and timely documentary Put Your Soul On Your Hand and Walk director Sepideh Farsi.

Previously announced guests include Eva Victor (Boys Go To Jupiter, As Of Yet) for the Festival’s opening night film Sorry, Baby. Ben Wheatley (Down Terrace, Free Fire), Noah Taylor (Shine, Vanilla Sky), Alexandra Maria Lara (Rush, Downfall) will attend for the World Premiere of Ben’s Midnight Madness opening night film Bulk.

Paul Sng (Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché, Tish) and Irvine Welsh (Trainspotting, Filth) attending for the World Premiere of Paul’s immersive documentary film Reality Is Not Enough, which will close the Festival on 20 August 2025.

Filmmakers from The Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking Excellence will also attend the Festival.

EIFF’s In Conversation strand also features a range of attending major filmmaking talent who will discuss their creative careers to date including legendary editor Thelma Schoonmaker, celebrated filmmaking team Ken Loach, Paul Laverty & Rebecca O’Brien (The Wind That Shakes The Barley; I, Daniel Blake) Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland, Touching the Void, One to One: John & Yoko) speaking with his brother, producer Andrew Macdonald (Trainspotting, Civil War, 28 Years Later), acclaimed filmmakers Nia DaCosta (Candyman, The Marvels) and Andrea Arnold (Fish Tank, American Honey, Cow, Bird) and producer Jeremy Thomas (The Hit, Bad Timing, Naked Lunch).

Edinburgh International Film Festival will run from 14-20 August 2025. Building on EIFF’s reinvigorated vision under new leadership from CEO and Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa, the Festival will continue to accelerate the discovery of new film talent and engage with audiences, industry members and local, national and international media.

The Festival team aims to create a world-class showcase for independent film and filmmaking talent. Ridd is supported by the EIFF Board, led by Chair Andrew Macdonald of DNA Films, producer of the iconic Edinburgh-based film Trainspotting; and Vice Chair Amy Jackson, producer of BAFTA award-winning indie, Aftersun; as well as Peter Rice, former Chairman of General Entertainment at Disney and President of 21st Century Fox; Teresa Moneo, Former Director of UK Film, Netflix; Isla Macgillivray, Partner at Saffrey; and Romana Ramzan, Producer at Screen Burn Interactive (formerly No Code Studio).

Paul Ridd, CEO & Festival Director said: ‘We are thrilled to be welcoming so many terrific filmmakers and performers from around the world to this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival to celebrate their work with us.

“One of the greatest joys of a film festival is the opportunity for audiences and industry to interact directly with the creatives behind the work shown onscreen, to hear directly about their vision, and to discuss films in a space that is both welcoming and productive.

“Our guest list this year is testament to all the hard work and passion that has gone on behind the scenes here in Edinburgh to make this edition special and to celebrate this wonderful medium in style.’

EIFF 2025 is supported by Screen Scotland.

Website: https://www.edfilmfest.org/ 

Social handles: Facebook, Instagram, Letterboxd, LinkedIn, TikTok, X (@edfilmfest) 

Edinburgh International Film Festival announces special In Conversation event with Ken Loach, Paul Laverty & Rebecca O’Brien

Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) is pleased to welcome legendary British filmmaker Ken Loach and his longtime creative collaborators, writer Paul Laverty and producer Rebecca O’Brien, for a special In Conversation event at this year’s Festival.

The trio will discuss the acclaimed films they have created together over the years including Palme D’Or Winners The Wind That Shakes The Barley (2006) and I, Daniel Blake (2016). The event takes place on Wednesday 20 August at 11am at Tollcross Central Hall.

This event will then be followed by a special retrospective screening of the filmmakers’ 2006 Palme D’Or winning film The Wind That Shakes The Barley. Starring Cillian Murphy, the film is a heartfelt and stirring epic exploring the rift that emerges between two brothers who find themselves fighting against one another in the conflict over Irish independence in the early 1920s.

Presented from a 35mm print, this screening will be preceded by a special introduction by the filmmakers. The event takes place on Wednesday 20 August at 1.30pm in Filmhouse Screen 1.

Tickets are now on sale for both events via the EIFF website.

EIFF’s In Conversation strand also features a range of other major filmmaking talent who will discuss their creative careers to date including director Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland, Touching the Void, One to One: John & Yoko) speaking with his brother, producerAndrew Macdonald (Trainspotting, Civil War, 28 Years Later), in a wide ranging conversation about filmmaking and their respective careers. Kevin will also present a screening of The Cranes are Flying (1957), a film which has heavily influenced his work.

Trailblazing filmmaker Nia Da Costa will discuss her acclaimed work which spans independent film, horror sequels and major studio comic book adaptations including The Marvels, Candyman and upcoming film 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Nia will also present a special 4K restoration of Doug Liman’s 90s black comedy Go, a film that was a source of early inspiration for her.

From breakout horror thriller Kill List to EIFF Midnight Madness Opening Film Bulk, via hilarious black comedy Sightseers and many more, filmmaker Ben Wheatley and long time producing partner Andy Starke will discuss their collaborations and their working dynamic.

Award-winning writer and director Andrea Arnold is one of the UK’s most outstanding filmmakers. She will discuss her searing debut feature Red Road (2006), also screening at EIFF this year, which won the BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut, along with her critically acclaimed work such as Fish Tank, American Honey, Cow and, most recently, Bird.

Legendary producer Jeremy Thomas (Eureka, 13 Assassins, Sexy Beast) will discuss his long and varied career, which includes collaborations with Nicolas Roeg, Takeshi Miike and Jonathan Glazer, in a conversation with filmmaker Mark Cousins (A Sudden Glimpse to Deeper Things, The Story of Film, The Storms of Jeremy Thomas). Jeremy Thomas will also introduce a special 35mm screening of Nicolas Roeg’s Bad Timing (1980), one of his earliest films.

The Festival team aims to create a world-class showcase for independent film and filmmaking talent. Ridd is supported by the EIFF Board, led by Chair Andrew Macdonald of DNA Films, producer of the iconic Edinburgh-based film Trainspotting; and Vice Chair Amy Jackson, producer of BAFTA award-winning indie, Aftersun; as well as Peter Rice, former Chairman of General Entertainment at Disney and President of 21st Century Fox; Teresa Moneo, Former Director of UK Film, Netflix; Isla Macgillivray, Partner at Saffrey; and Romana Ramzan, Producer at No Code Studio.

Paul Ridd, CEO & Festival Director, said: “It is a great honour for us to welcome Ken Loach, Paul Laverty and Rebecca O’Brien for what promises to be a lively and fascinating discussion of their work together, with two Palme D’Ors to their names and a body of work that includes ferociously powerful films produced across decades.

“We are also delighted to be presenting one of their major films THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY from a 35mm print. It is a genuine thrill to be able to add this formidable trio to a roster of speakers at EIFF in a programme of In Conversation events which already includes Jeremy Thomas, Nia Da Costa, Andrew and Kevin Macdonald, Andrea Arnold and Ben Wheatley.”

EIFF 2025 is supported by Screen Scotland.

Edinburgh International Film Festival announces UK Premiere of eagerly-awaited cult classic remake THE TOXIC AVENGER

Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has announced that the UK premiere of Macon Blair’s gloriously outlandish cult classic remake THE TOXIC AVENGER will be the closing night film of the Festival’s Midnight Madness strand.

Before Deadpool and Venom, there was The Toxic Avenger, the original mutant mop-wielding hero that confirmed production company Troma Entertainment as a favourite to cult film fans the world over.

Premiering at Fantastic Fest, Macon Blair’s THE TOXIC AVENGER stars Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones), Jacob Tremblay (Doctor Sleep), Taylour Paige (Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F), Kevin Bacon (MaXXXine), Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings trilogy), Julia Davis (Gavin & Stacey) and Luisa Guerreiro (Baldur’s Gate III).

When a downtrodden janitor, Winston Gooze (Peter Dinklage), is exposed to a catastrophic toxic accident, he’s transformed into a new kind of hero: The Toxic Avenger. Now, Toxie must rise from outcast to savior, taking on ruthless corporate overlords and corrupt forces who threaten his son, his friends, and his community. In a world where greed runs rampant… justice is best served radioactive.

Based on the franchise-spawning 1980s cult classic, THE TOXIC AVENGER is directed by Macon Blair (I Don’t Feel at Home in this World Anymore), written by Macon Blair, Lloyd Kaufman (Mother’s Day) and Joe Ritter (The Toxic Avenger 1984), produced by Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz of Troma Entertainment, Alex Garcia (Godzilla MonsterVerse) and Mary Parent (Dune Part One, Dune Part Two) of Legendary Pictures.

Signature Entertainment will release the film in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from 29 August.

THE TOXIC AVENGER joins Ben Wheatley’s BULK as new films presented as part of this year’s EIFF Midnight Madness strand which runs throughout the Festival and unleashes the very best in new genre cinema from around the world.

Paul Ridd, CEO and Festival Director of EIFF, said: “We are absolutely over the moon to be hosting the UK Premiere of THE TOXIC AVENGER, which will bring our Midnight Madness strand this year to an extravagantly gory and hilarious close.

“Peter Dinklage’s terrific reimagining of this iconic character in Macon Blair’s genius film, together make for an absolute blast of cult cinematic energy. Bring it on!”

Katie Wilkinson, Acquisitions & Development Manager at Signature, said “We couldn’t think of a better place for THE TOXIC AVENGER’s UK Premiere than as the closing film of Midnight Madness at EIFF 2025.

“Genre fans can expect a crazy world of mutated maintenance men, killer chicken brutes and Elijah Wood as you’ve never seen him before.

“Peter Dinklage’s take on the Toxic Avenger will leave audiences forever changed by this fantastically unique hero story.”

Helmed by CEO and Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa, the Festival team aims to create a world-class showcase for independent film and filmmaking talent.

Ridd is supported by the EIFF Board, led by Chair Andrew Macdonald of DNA Films, producer of the iconic Edinburgh-based film Trainspotting; and Vice Chair Amy Jackson, producer of BAFTA award-winning indie, Aftersun; as well as Peter Rice, former Chairman of General Entertainment at Disney and President of 21st Century Fox; Teresa Moneo, Director of UK Film, Netflix; Isla Macgillivray, Partner at Saffrey; and Romana Ramzan, Producer at No Code Studio.

More information will be released on the 2025 Festival in the coming weeks.

EIFF 2025 is supported by Screen Scotland.

Edinburgh International Film Festival 2025 announces World Premiere of Ben Wheatley’s secret new film BULK

BULK to open Festival’s Midnight Madness strand

EIFF runs from 14 – 20 August 2025

Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has announced the world premiere of Ben Wheatley’s ingenious new film BULK as the opening night film of the Festival’s Midnight Madness strand.

Produced by Andy Starke of Rook Films and financed by Film4, BULK marks a return to the thrillingly free-spirited filmmaker’s homegrown, kaleidoscopic works In The Earth and A Field in England. Executive producers for Film4 are Ollie Madden and David Kimbangi.

BULK will be presented as part of EIFF’s Midnight Madness strand which runs throughout the Festival and unleashes the very best in new genre cinema from around the world.

Paul Ridd, CEO and Festival Director of EIFF, said “I have been sworn on pain of death to not give too much away about BULK!

“Suffice it to say this is a truly unique film that took our breath away then fried our brains. We could not think of a better way for us to launch the second year of Midnight Madness at EIFF than with a new trip from a true visionary of cinema.

“It is guaranteed to bring the house down in August. Bring it on!”

Ben Wheatley said: “I’m very excited and proud to be premiering BULK at Edinburgh International Film Festival’s Midnight Madness.

“This is a midnight film through and through. Car chases, gun fights, sci-fi and romance. Thanks to Edinburgh for having us. It’s going to be a wild night.”

Ollie Madden, Director of Film4 comments: “Ben Wheatley is one of a kind, and BULK is truly the result of his unique and brilliant filmmaking brain.

“It was an honour to work with him on this secret project, for which Midnight Madness at EIFF is the perfect launchpad. Can’t wait for it to surprise and delight audiences in the way it did us!”

Helmed by CEO and Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa, the Festival team aims to create a world-class showcase for independent film and filmmaking talent.

More information will be released on the 2025 Festivalin the coming weeks.

Submissions open for Edinburgh International Film Festival

The revitalised Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has announced that its 78^th edition will run from 14 to 20 August 2025. Submissions for the 2025 edition of the Festival open today (6 January 2025) via the Festival website.

Building on EIFF’s invigorated vision under new leadership from CEO and Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa, the Festival will continue to accelerate the discovery of new film talent and engage with audiences, industry members and local, national and international media.

Further details on the 2025 Festival will be announced in the next few months.

Helmed by CEO and Festival Director Paul Ridd, the Festival team aims to create a world-class showcase for independent film and filmmaking talent. Ridd is supported by an expanding Board, including Teresa Moneo, Director of UK Film, Netflix; Peter Rice, former Chairman of General Entertainment at Disney and President of 21st Century Fox; Isla Macgillivray, Partner at Saffrey; and Romana Ramzan, Producer at No Code Studio; Chair Andrew Macdonald of DNA Films, producer of the iconic Edinburgh-based film Trainspotting; and Vice Chair Amy Jackson, producer of BAFTA award-winning indie, Aftersun.

EIFF CEO and Festival Director, Paul Ridd said: “Our reborn Film Festival is now a major part of the excitement of August in Edinburgh when the city hosts the biggest and best Arts Festival in the world.

“We are delighted to announce our next edition in August 2025 and cannot wait to see the submissions that will come our way for potential selection in the new year.

“For my team there is no feeling greater than discovering something truly great for audiences, and knowing so many of our 2024 films have had lives well beyond our Festival is truly invigorating. Bring it on again!”

Criteria for submitting films to the Festival can be found via the Festival website at https://www.edfilmfest.org/submissions/ with submissions to open on 6 January 2025. More information will be released on the shape of the 2025 Festival, venues and key strategic partners in the coming months.

EIFF 2025 is supported by Screen Scotland.