What is the Edinburgh International Film Festival?  

The Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has been bringing audiences, filmmakers and actors together since 1947. Over the course of a week, it screens world and UK premieres, retrospective classics and new genre films at Midnight Madness. 

EIFF returns this summer for its 79th edition, running from 13 to 19 August, 2026.

A group of three people smiling at the Edinburgh International Film Festival
Credit: Edinburgh International Film Festival

What is the history of the Edinburgh International Film Festival?

EIFF began as the International Festival of Documentary Films, and was opened in 1947 by John Grierson, founder of the British documentary movement. 

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. 

Over the years, the red carpet has welcomed big names including Steven Spielberg, Tilda Swinton, Paul Mescal, Jason Isaacs, Saoirse Ronan and Alex Garland. 

A group of four people standing next to each other at the Edinburgh Film Festival
Credit: Edinburgh International Film Festival

Intrigued by what Edinburgh has to offer? Explore the Edinburgh festivals with us this year.

Find out more about the Edinburgh International Film Festival (edfilmfest.org)

Header photo credit: Ingrid Mur.