What is the Edinburgh International Film Festival?
The Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has been running since 1947, where actors, filmmakers and fans join together in the city to celebrate new released and old classics for seven days of film appreciation.
The festival is known for showcasing new and emerging filmmaking talent. In 2024, the festival will take place from 15 to 21 August. The relaunched Edinburgh International Film Festival will honour more than 70 years of festival history.
Credit: Edinburgh International Film Festival
What is the history of the Edinburgh International Film Festival?
Born in 1947 alongside the Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the first week-long film festival was created to bring documentaries to a wider audience.
Over the years ambitions grew and the festival expanded to welcome international movies as well as retrospectives, with early subjects including John Huston and a young Martin Scorsese. New talents were nurtured such as Bill Forsyth, Stephen Soderbergh and Stephen Frears.
Red carpet events and premieres also became part of the package, and over the years Hollywood stars such as Steven Spielberg, Tilda Swinton, Catherine Zeta Jones, Michael Douglas, Sienna Miller and Judd Apatow have graced the festival with their presence.
Credit: Edinburgh International Film Festival
Intrigued by what Edinburgh has to offer? Explore the city's summer festivals with us this year.