The Edinburgh International Film Festival, which is now in its 63rd consecutive year, begins on Wednesday. The full listing includes 23 world premieres, among 135 features from 33 countries.

Hannah McGill took over as artistic director of the festival less than three years ago, at the tender age of 29.

What is it like directing a festival twice as old as you?

The seniority of EIFF is one of its great strengths – along with Cannes and Venice, it’s one of the world’s three longest-established film festivals.

One of my jobs is to ensure that being old does not equal getting staid or set in our ways. It is vital that we constantly adapt to changes in our industry, in technology, and in audience needs and expectations.

As for me, it’s rather nice to know that the festival has been in existence my whole life, marking every single year.

I do spend a lot of time looking at the old catalogues and programmes, because it’s incredible to see all the films that have passed through the festival over its long life.

In any case – I guarantee that by the end of the festival, I will feel twice as old as it!