Posted by editor@vimooz.com on June 29, 2009 under Edinburgh International Film Festival | 
- Moon directed by Duncan Jones
The 2009 Edinburgh International Film Festival winners were announced on Sunday and Festival Patrons, Sir Sean Connery and Seamus McGarvey, were among those presenting awards.
Moon directed by Duncan Jones scooped the Michael Powell Award for Best New British Feature Film, sponsored by the UK Film Council.
Katie Jarvis picked up the PPG Award for Best Performance in a British Feature Film for her extraordinary debut in Fish Tank.
The award for Best New International Feature went to director Kyle Patrick Alvarez for his film Easier With Practice.
Director Aliona Van Der Horst picked up the award for Best Documentary about Russian poet Boris Ryzhy.
The Skillset New Directors Award went to Cary Joji Fukunaga for his stunning directorial debut in Sin Nombre.
‘Bromance’ comedy Humpday directed by Lynn Shelton was awarded The Rotten Tomatoes Critical Consensus Award and director Emma Sullivan’s After Tomorrow was awarded the UK Film Council Award for Best British Short Film.
The Standard Life Audience Award as voted for by cinema-goers at EIFF went to animation The Secret Of Kells directed by Tomm Moore.
The award for Best International Short Film went to Princess Margaret BLVD directed by Kazik Radwanksi, while The Scottish Short Documentary Award supported by Baillie Gifford was handed to director Johanna Wagner for 10 minute long film Peter In Radioland. Director Laurie Hill’s Photograph Of Jesus scooped the McLaren Award for New British Animation in partnership with BBC Film Network.
Posted by editor@vimooz.com on May 23, 2009 under Edinburgh International Film Festival |
Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) Managing Director Ginnie Atkinson and Artistic Director Hannah McGill, announced some of the expected guests at this year’s Festival as well as the film line-up for the Festival’s free outdoor screenings, FILM FESTIVAL UNDER THE STARS, in association with Homecoming Scotland.
Returning to Scotland in 2009 are expected guests including: Alan Cumming, Alfonso Cuarón, Andrea Arnold, Anthony Dod Mantle, Bill Forsyth, Brenda Blethyn, Darren Aronofsky, Ewen Bremner, Ian Hart, Jaime Winstone, Paddy Considine, Robin Wright-Penn, Roger Corman, Sam Mendes and Shane Meadows, as well as Festival Patrons Sir Sean Connery and Seamus McGarvey, all of whom have been to Edinburgh in previous years.
The Festival will also be welcoming new faces including: Carlos Cuarón, Diego Luna, Gael Garcia Bernal, Guy Pearce, Hugh Dancy, Jesse Eisenberg, Joe Dante, John Krasinski, Kathryn Bigelow, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Maya Rudolph, Meera Syal, Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Miller, Rose Byrne, Sharmila Tagore, William H. Macy and Yolande Moreau. Additional guests expected on the red carpet include: Claire Danes, Emily Blunt, Kate Winslet, Peter Saarsgard and Paul Thomas Anderson.
Recognising the work of the Scottish Festival’s Patrons Sir Sean Connery, Tilda Swinton, Robert Carlyle and Seamus McGarvey, 2009’s FILM FESTIVAL UNDER THE STARS will screen: INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE; THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA; STONE OF DESTINY and CHARLOTTE’S WEB, representing family films from each of the Patron’s careers to date.
Ginnie Atkinson, Managing Director, said, “Film Festival Under the Stars is a free annual event that aims to introduce the EIFF to new audiences. A fun event for cinema fans of all ages, and in celebration of Homecoming Scotland, the Festival is proud to present a selection of work from its four Patrons. We are also delighted to have so many international filmmakers and actors attending the Festival this year.”
FILM FESTIVAL UNDER THE STARS is part of the Homecoming Scotland celebrations at the EIFF where 2009 sees a 10-month long programme of events celebrating Scotland and its contribution to the world stage. The Festival is hosting a string of Homecoming events including a celebration for returning EIFF alumni to be attended by Sir Sean Connery; a Focus on Peter McDougall and John Mackenzie, and a 15th Anniversary Digital restoration screening of Danny Boyle’s SHALLOW GRAVE, which was first premiered at the EIFF in 1994. Cast member Kerry Fox and producer Andrew McDonald will both be returning to Scotland for the special anniversary screening.
The al-fresco screenings have traditionally been held at The Mound but this year will relocate to The Grassmarket as part of the joint initiative between Scottish Enterprise and The City of Edinburgh Council to enhance the historic market square. Homecoming’s FILM FESTIVAL UNDER THE STARS takes place on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 June and is free entry to all.
Marie Christie Director of Homecoming Scotland commented, “The year of Homecoming aims to celebrate many of Scotland’s great contributions to the world and reconnect Scotland with the millions of people around the world who have an ancestral link or love for our country. The Edinburgh International Film Festival is an established element of Scotland’s world-class events portfolio and we are delighted the Festival has taken the opportunity to partner with Homecoming.”
Posted by editor@vimooz.com on May 20, 2009 under Edinburgh International Film Festival |
In Cannes yesterday the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) in association with Skillset announced the 25 Trailblazers of 2009.
These up-and-coming individuals have been selected from the EIFF programme and from the graduation shorts submitted by students of the Skillset Screen Academies.
The intention of the Trailblazers showcase is to unite the work of the Skillset Screen Academies with that of EIFF. The scheme honours their joint commitment to the generation, encouragement and promotion of new British talent; offer Skillset Screen Academy students and graduates an introduction to the UK film industry and the festival circuit; and celebrate the new names issuing forth from the film festival that first brought Samantha Morton, Daniel Craig, Emily Blunt, Andrea Arnold, Danny Boyle, David Mackenzie, Shane Meadows, Asif Kapadia, and Sam Riley to our attention.
Last year’s Trailblazers included actors Thomas Turgoose in the Michael Powell Award winner SOMERS TOWN and Nichola Burley in DONKEY PUNCH, who returns to Edinburgh this year with Michael Powell Award contender KICKS; and critically acclaimed directors Joe Lawlor and Christine Molloy who premiered their film HELEN at EIFF 2008.
EIFF Artistic Director Hannah McGill commented, “I’m delighted to name this list of extremely talented and original creators as this year’s Trailblazers. They vary in age and background and experience levels, but they’re united by the risk-taking work and their clear potential. Our feature film programme has this year offered us a very inspiring range of new UK talent; while the Skillset Screen Academies always provide a very diverse and interesting set of work and this year is no exception. Congratulations to all of them and thanks as ever to Skillset for their collaboration on this part of our programme.”
The Trailblazers selected from the EIFF 2009 features programme are:
Emily Beecham - THE CALLING - Actor
Leigh Campbell - KICKS - Screenwriter
Lawrence Gough - SALVAGE - Director
Kerrie Hayes - KICKS - Actor
Stuart Hazeldine - EXAM - Director/ Screenwriter
Katie Jarvis - FISH TANK - Actor
Gerard Johnson - TONY - Director/ Screenwriter
Bryan Larkin - RUNNING IN TRAFFIC - Actor/ Screenwriter
Justin Molotnikov - CRYING WITH LAUGHTER - Director
Kyle Ward - A BOY CALLED DAD/ SALVAGE - Actor
The Trailblazers selected from the Skillset Screen Academy Network are:
The National Film & Television School, A Skillset Screen & Media Academy
Ralitza Petrova - BY THE GRACE OF GOD - Director
Michelle Eastwood - BY THE GRACE OF GOD - Producer
Stuart Earl - BY THE GRACE OF GOD - Composer
Vanessa Stockley - EMMA & BEN - Director/ Cinematographer
Mikael Svartdahl - EMMA & BEN - Editor
Skillset Screen Academy Wales
Robert Evans - CRESCENDO - Animator
Michael O’Sullivan - CRESCENDO - Animator
Bournemouth Skillset Screen & Media Academy
David Bell - TOY - Writer/Director/Producer/Animator
Momodou Musa Touray - SWEET MOTHER - Director
Edinburgh Skillset Screen & Media Academy
Eva Pervolovici - DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE - Director
Shezad Afzal - DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE - Producer
Amy Rose - KIRRAN AND THE HATCHMAKER - Director
The London Film School, A Skillset Screen Academy
Erik Bostedt - CAPTURING SPACE - Director
Skillset Screen Academy at London College of Communication & Ealing Institute of Media
Tatiana Korol - AKBULAK - Director/ Screenwriter
Kasia Sobocinska - AKBULAK - Cinematographer
The Trailblazing shorts programme is screened on Monday 22 June at 12:00 and Tuesday 23 June at 12:00.
Neil Peplow, Director of Film, Skillset said: “Now in its third year, Trailblazers is a fantastic partnership between EIFF and Skillset creating a focal point for industry to spot emerging UK filmmaking talent. It’s fantastic to see previous Trailblazers back at the Festival, building successful careers in this industry.”
Posted by editor@vimooz.com on May 6, 2009 under Edinburgh International Film Festival |
- Harmony and Me
At a press conference at Filmhouse in Edinburgh this morning, Artistic Director Hannah McGill announced the full programme details for the 63rd edition of the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF). This year the Festival, which runs from 17 - 28 June, will host twenty-three World premieres, and sixteen International premieres including the previously announced Opening Night Gala, Sam Mendes’ AWAY WE GO. The Closing Night Gala will be the International premiere of ADAM, a romantic drama by Max Mayer starring Hugh Dancy (CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC), Rose Byrne (KNOWING), and Peter Gallagher (THE O.C). The EIFF also looks forward to welcoming back three of its four Patrons, Sir Sean Connery, Tilda Swinton and the recently appointed Seamus McGarvey, in the Year of Homecoming.
The Festival will showcase one hundred and thirty five features from thirty three countries, including seven European premieres and sixty UK premieres in addition to the World and International premieres. Highlights include: Adam Elliot’s feature animation MARY AND MAX; David Mackenzie’s SPREAD and RJ Cutler’s THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE both in the Gala section; Claire Denis’ 35 SHOTS OF RUM, Steven Soderbergh’s THE GIRLFRIEND EXPERIENCE and Kathryn Bigelow’s THE HURT LOCKER in the Directors’ Showcase, and THE LAST HEROES OF THE PENINSULA by José Manuel Cravioto in the Document section.
British Galas competing for the UK Film Council-sponsored Michael Powell Award for Best British Feature include seven World premieres: Duncan Ward’s BOOGIE WOOGIE; Brian Percival’s A BOY CALLED DAD; THE CALLING by Jan Dunn; Justin Molotnikov’s CRYING WITH LAUGHTER; Lindy Heymann’s KICKS; MAD, SAD AND BAD by Avie Luthra, and Dale Corlett’s RUNNING IN TRAFFIC. British Galas also compete for the PPG Award for Best Performance in a British Feature Film, which also includes: FISH TANK by Andrea Arnold; Duncan Jones’ MOON, Julian Kemp’s MY LAST FIVE GIRLFRIENDS and UNMADE BEDS by Alexis Dos Santos.
Galas will also include: Carlos Cuarón’s RUDO Y CURSI; Rebecca Miller’s THE PRIVATE LIVES OF PIPPA LEE; Martin Provost’s SÉRAPHINE; Peter Hewitt’s THE MAIDEN HEIST; documentary THE CRIMSON WING by Matthew Aeberhard and Leander Ward; THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE by Rémi Bezançon; Rowan Woods’ FRAGMENTS; the double bill of MESRINE: KILLER INSTINCT and MESRINE: PUBLIC ENEMY NO.1 by Jean-Francois Richet, and Family Gala THE SECRET OF KELLS by Tomm Moore. All films in the Gala and British Gala sections, as well as the Opening and Closing Galas, are eligible for the Standard Life Audience Award.
Mary Sweeney’s BARABOO, Tom Hall’s WIDE OPEN SPACES and Mark Devenport’s BIG THINGS are three of the seven World premieres in Rosebud, the showcase of films by first and second time directors which embody the EIFF’s spirit of discovery. Additional World premieres in Rosebud are: ATLETU (THE ATHLETE) by Davey Frankel and Rasselas Lakew; Irfan Kamal’s THANKS MAA, and WASTED by Caroline Paterson and Stuart Davids. THE MAID by Sebastian Silva, Cary Joji Fukunaga’s SIN NOMBRE, Yang Ik June’s BREATHLESSPOMEGRANATES AND MYRRH by Najwa Najjar are also amongst the twenty-six Rosebud titles. All Rosebud films are eligible for the Skillset New Directors Award. and
All features originating outside of the UK, receiving their World or International premieres at the EIFF will be eligible for the previously announced inaugural Best New International Feature Award.
Eligible films include: Jonathan auf der Heide’s VAN DIEMEN’S LAND, Noah Buschel’s THE MISSING PERSON, Sarah Watt’s MY YEAR WITHOUT SEX, Per Hanefjord’s ELKLAND, and from the experimental Black Box section, the World premiere of NAKBA by Max Francos.
The Director’s Showcase, presenting work from the established auteurs of our time, includes Lynn Shelton’s HUMPDAY, Christian Petzold’s JERICHOW, Tali Shalom Ezer’s SURROGATE, Alexey German Jnr’s PAPER SOLDIER and STELLA by Sylvie Verheyde.
Upholding the EIFF’s documentary heritage, this year’s Document section presents the World premieres of ISOLATION by Luke Seomore and Joseph Bull, and NO GREATER LOVEGARAPA, and other documentaries include Ibolya Bálint’s TINY JOYS, NOLLYWOOD BABYLON by Ben Addelman and Samir Mallal while ALL TOMORROW’S PARTIES by Jonathan Caouette will include special guest performances as part of a unique 360° musical event. Documentary shorts will feature throughout the EIFF, as stand alone programmes and before main feature documentaries. by Michael Whyte, both from the UK. José Padhila (TROPA DE ELITE) returns to the EIFF with
Previously announced late-night sections, Night Moves and Under the Radar boast a collective five World premieres, while Special Screenings throughout the EIFF also include the World premieres of Shane Meadow’s latest, LE DONK (followed by an extended Q&A with the director) and Matt Hulse’s FOLLOW THE MASTER. Screening in new digitally restored prints are Danny
Boyle’s SHALLOW GRAVE, remastered for its 15th anniversary; Bill Forsyth’s little-seen COMRADES; and Powell and Pressburger’s THE RED SHOES, which will provide the backdrop for a Special Event on DIGITAL RESTORATION: PANEL DISCUSSION. Other Special Events include 3D EXPLAINED; film and panel event FOR THE LOVE OF MOVIES: THE STORY OF AMERICAN FILM CRITICISM, and Mirrorball’s PLAYING WITH THE PAST, an event combining live music with archive footage. Examining the opportunities and challenges in the transition to a digital world, the EIFF presents LORD DAVID PUTTNAM KEYNOTE ADDRESS; this is complemented by Street Opera’s music based digital installation MY SECRET HEART which runs for a week in the Dovecot exhibition space in Edinburgh, while Simon Mayo and Mark Kermode will host RADIO 5 LIVE’S WITTERTAINMENT AT ITS MOST WITTERTAINING from Edinburgh in front of a live audience.
Other industry greats will take to the stage for the EIFF’s In-Person interviews, including directors Sam Mendes (AMERICAN BEAUTY), Darren Aronofsky (THE WRESTLER), Joe Dante (GREMLINS) and Bill Forsyth (LOCAL HERO). Brenda Blethyn is the subject of this year’s BAFTA Interview, and Meera Syal is the Skillset In Person interviewee, along with previously announced In Person subjects Indian cinema screen legend Sharmila Tagore and Academy Award® winning cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle.
Another In Person interviewee, Roger Corman, is also the subject of this year’s Retrospective. The Retrospective will showcase the work of the maverick cult godfather, including: THE ST VALENTINE’S DAY MASSACRE; THE HOUSE OF USHER, THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM, THE TOMB OF LIGEIA and THE INTRUDER.
Celebrating influential Scottish filmmakers in Scotland’s Year of Homecoming, the EIFF presents a FOCUS: PETER MCDOUGALL & JOHN MACKENZIE with screenings of classic Scottish TV drama including THE ELEPHANT’S GRAVEYARD and A SENSE OF FREEDOM. Previously announced CINEMATIC TELEVISION will also bring the small screen to the big screen.
AN EVENING WITH DON HERTZFELDT heads up this year’s Animation section, with International and McLaren Animation programmes, and which is complemented by an Introduction To Animation Workshop. Other workshops will focus on Screen Makeup, Slapstick and Sound FX, while the FESTIVAL CONVERSATIONS will draw together a selection of the year’s brightest attending talent to discuss themes and topics such as Cinematic Documentary and Laughter In The Dark, while BEHIND THE SCENES brings craftspeople at the top of their game to discuss their work.
In addition to the documentary and animation shorts at the Festival, EIFF continues to showcase the best of Scottish, UK and international shorts in a series of programmes which include Turner nominated artist Phil Collins’ ZASTO NE GOVORIM SRPSKI (NA SRPSKOM), Spike Jonze’s HEAVEN (FULLY FLARED INTRO VIDEO REMIX), and Channel 4’s COMING UP shorts.
EIFF Artistic Director Hannah McGill commented: “I’m thrilled about this programme, and really looking forward to showing these films to our audience, as well as welcoming this wide array of exciting guests. We’ve been really privileged to see a tremendous range of very varied work from all over the world this year, and the programming team have done incredible work in selecting the best and most innovative films. The British section is especially diverse; and it’s also great in the year of Homecoming to be celebrating Scottish talent with both our McDougall/Mackenzie focus and our new Scottish feature films. Of course as well as the screenings, we’ll be rounding out the Festival experience with our live music events, discussion panels, workshops and interviews.” Read more of this article »
Posted by editor@vimooz.com on April 29, 2009 under Edinburgh International Film Festival |
- Stephen Moyer and Anna Paquin in “True Blood”
The Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) announced today two unique programme highlights and two established strands, ahead of the Festival’s main programme launch on Wednesday 6 May.
CINEMATIC TELEVISION is the first time the EIFF has married cinema and television in their programme, offering audiences the UK premieres of high concept TV drama on the big screen. Ahead of its UK July transmission on FX, the EIFF will screen the first two episodes of much anticipated US vampire drama TRUE BLOOD, from creator Alan Ball (SIX FEET UNDER). The ‘first week’ of daily HBO drama IN TREATMENT, starring Gabriel Byrne, will have its exclusive UK premiere - screening 5 episodes of the critically acclaimed and award winning series. Examining the growing trend of CINEMATIC TELEVISION, a panel event will allow audiences the chance to interact with industry professionals who are directly involved in the phenomenal success of high quality ‘event’ TV shows boasting production values at least as high as those of the average cinema release.
Bringing West Bengal to Edinburgh at the Paradise Movie Hall, the EIFF presents a three day Bengali cinema extravaganza, curated by Mark Cousins, which will convert St Johns Church Hall in the heart of the city into a magical forest cinema. Screening seven classic Bengali films by Satyajit Ray (DEVI; DAYS AND NIGHTS IN THE FOREST), Ritwik Ghatak (THE CLOUD CAPPED STAR; A RIVER CALLED TITAS), Tapan Sinha (NIRJAN SAIKATE; WHEEL CHAIR) and Anup Singh (THE NAME OF A RIVER), the Paradise Movie Hall is in partnership with the British Council and Scottish Government, and is followed by a programme of West Bengali films touring Scotland in the autumn. Bengali muse of Ray and legendary Bollywood movie star, Sharmila Tagore, will also be attending the Festival for an In-Person onstage interview where she will be discussing her passion for West Bengali film culture; her work as Chair of India’s Board of Film Certification and UN Goodwill Ambassador, and her cinema career.
Paradise Movie Hall curator, Mark Cousins, said: “By turning a wee Scottish church hall into a magical space, we’re trying to re-capture the wonder of movie-going when you are a kid. We’re showing West Bengali films in that little forest cinema because the creative heart of Indian cinema is in West Bengal. We invited the first lady of Bengali cinema, Sharmila Tagore, because she’s a legend and her career is unique. We hoped she’d come, but it was a long shot. It paid off. We’re totally thrilled. She can tell us first hand about Indian cinema’s Chekhov, Satyajit Ray, and the great Tapan Sinha. She can open a window of the world on the great Bengali films. In our wee makeshift Paradise Movie Hall. How great is that? This is what film festivals are for.”
Cult late night sections NIGHT MOVES and UNDER THE RADAR boast an international array of kitsch, horror, raw and risk-taking work, as well as films from established filmmakers. Genre maestro Dario Argento’s world premiere of GIALLO screens as part of NIGHT MOVES, alongside the world premieres of Stuart Hazledine’s EXAM and Laurence Gough’s SALVAGE, both from the UK. Jamie Blanks directs Jim Caviezel in Australian film LONG WEEKEND, and classic Asian horror is resplendent in Kelvin Tong’s RULE #1. Rufus Sewell and Emmanuelle Béart are also in dangerous Thai/Burmese waters in Fabrice Du Welz’s VINYAN while PONTYPOOL from Bruce McDonald will satisfy all zombie fans and Scott Sanders’ BLACK DYNAMITE is a razor sharp parody of the 70’s Blaxploitation genre.
UNDER THE RADAR returns to the Festival for the second time, after last year’s successful unveiling of cutting edge new movie making to enthusiastic audiences. Featuring five films, including two world premieres, no subject matters are taboo across UNDER THE RADAR, including Zach Clark’s wild, deadpan sex satire MODERN LOVE IS AUTOMATIC. Zombies return in the world premiere of ROMEO & JULIET vs THE LIVING DEAD from Ryan Denmark while Appalachian mountain dancer Jesco White is portrayed as a gory legend in Dominic Murphy’s debut, WHITE LIGHTNIN’. Sinister secrets of a lonely London life are revealed in the world premiere of Gerard Johnson’s urban nightmare TONY and Robert Byington’s hilarious HARMONY AND ME is an anti-romcom that tackles heartbreak, bad sex and the social rights of coma victims.
EIFF Artistic Director Hannah McGill commented: “In many ways NIGHT MOVES and UNDER THE RADAR are the heart of EIFF: these after-dark screenings are where you find the real die-hards, the people hellbent on a really extreme film experience. This is a varied selection, though, with full-on horror like GIALLO rubbing shoulders with out-and-out comedy, low-budget British fare and US indie comedy. What brings it all together is the filmmakers’ slightly deranged commitment to making exactly the films they want to make - regardless of taste, dignity, budgetary constraints or moral principles! We look forward to unleashing this wild and exciting work on our audiences.”
Posted by editor@vimooz.com on April 27, 2009 under Edinburgh International Film Festival |
- Seamus McGarvey. Courtesy Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF)
The Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) announced today that BAFTA and Oscar® nominated cinematographer, Seamus McGarvey, joins Sean Connery, Tilda Swinton and Robert Carlyle as a Festival Patron.
McGarvey’s hugely varied career to date includes working with directors such as Oliver Stone, Stephen Daldry and Stephen Frears as well as lensing critically acclaimed films (ATONEMENT, THE HOURS) and box office hits (CHARLOTTE’S WEB). Most recently he has wrapped THE SOLOIST with Robert Downey Jnr and Jamie Foxx, and is currently shooting Sam Taylor-Wood’s second feature, NOWHERE BOY.
McGarvey will also be welcoming onstage at the EIFF 2009’s Oscar® winner, cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle (SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE). Returning to Scotland in the year of Homecoming, Anthony will be interviewed in front of a public audience at a Festival In-Person event, discussing his body of work including the LAST KING OF SCOTLAND and 2006’s EIFF Michael Powell winner, BROTHERS OF THE HEAD, to his most recent project with Lars Von Trier.
Seamus McGarvey commented: “I am absolutely delighted to become a Patron of the EIFF, it is a film festival particularly close to my heart and it has played a significant part in my professional life as well. I am really looking forward to continuing my conversations with cinematographers especially as this year I will be talking to Anthony Dod Mantle, one of the most inventive filmmakers in the world.”
EIFF Chair Iain Smith said: “We are delighted that Seamus has agreed to join our distinguished group of EIFF patrons. Not only has he has been a longstanding and keen
supporter of the Festival, he represents a vital connection with the industry, at a time when the Festival is uniquely refocusing on young talent, new media and technology. His patronage signifies the Festival’s intention to engender contact and discussion between talent, content and technology; between culture and commerce, innovation and industry.”
As part of the ongoing commitment to expand their industry initiatives, the EIFF will be hosting a series of presentations, debates, screenings and masterclasses that look at cinematography and 3D stereo production, led by professionals working at the cutting edge of motion picture technology, with the aim of assisting filmmakers with the vast range of film and digital choices that are available.
Posted by editor@vimooz.com on April 14, 2009 under Edinburgh International Film Festival |
The Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) announced today that Sam Mendes’ AWAY WE GO will be the Opening Gala at this year’s Festival, from 17 - 28 June 2009. The announcement was made today by EIFF’s Artistic Director, Hannah McGill.
Released in the UK by E1 Entertainment, AWAY WE GO is directed by Academy Award® winner Sam Mendes (AMERICAN BEAUTY, REVOLUTIONARY ROAD), from the first original screenplay by Dave Eggers (A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius) and Vendela Vida (And Now You Can Go). John Krasinski (THE OFFICE - US series) and Maya Rudolph (SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE) star in the film, and the supporting cast includes Jeff Daniels, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Allison Janney. The film’s music is by Scottish composer Alexi Murdoch.
EIFF Artistic Director, Hannah McGill, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to open the Festival with a wonderful film that marks a distinct change of pace for one of Britain’s most celebrated contemporary directors, Sam Mendes. AWAY WE GO is the perfect Opening Night for Edinburgh: funny, positive and smart, and a film I’m incredibly proud to present to our audiences.”
AWAY WE GO director Sam Mendes said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that AWAY WE GO will have its international debut at the Edinburgh Film Festival, and especially pleased to be the Opening Night. I was last in Edinburgh in 1987 at the Fringe, and most nights the cast outnumbered the audience. So I’m really looking forward to returning - hopefully to a full house!”
Sam Mendes and members of the cast are expected to attend the International Premiere at Cineworld Edinburgh on Wednesday 17 June. This is the EIFF’s second year in June, following on from last year’s successful change of dates. AWAY WE GO is eligible for the Standard Life Audience Award which is chosen by audience votes from the Gala and British Gala Section of the EIFF.
AWAY WE GO follows the journey across contemporary America of an expectant couple (John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph), as they travel in search of the perfect place to put down roots and raise their family. Along the way, they have misadventures and find fresh connections with an assortment of relatives and old friends who just might help them discover “home” on their own terms for the first time.
AWAY WE GO is a Focus Features presentation in association with Big Beach of an Edward Saxon/Big Beach production in association with Neal Street Productions.
AWAY WE GO will go on UK nationwide release from 18 September 2009.
Posted by editor@vimooz.com on January 28, 2009 under Edinburgh International Film Festival |
The Edinburgh International Film Festival Artistic Director Hannah McGill yesterday announced the introduction of two new significant international awards; Best New International Feature Award and Best International Short Film at this year’s Festival, 17 - 28 June 2009.
The Film Festival, now in its second year in June, has been long acclaimed for its discovery and recognition of outstanding British Film, awarding The Michael Powell Award to cinematic gems such as Control, Tsotsi and last years winner, Somers Town directed by Shane Meadows. These additional awards will broaden the appeal of the EIFF to international filmmakers and in turn offer audiences a greater opportunity to experience the best of global / world cinema.
The Best New International Feature Award will carry a cash prize of £5,000 and will be open to features, originating outside of the UK, in all sections of the programme receiving their world or international premiere at the Festival.
The films will be judged by a three person jury, separate to the jury presiding over The Michael Powell Award.
Edinburgh plays host to a number of short film awards, acknowledging filmmaking in a number of genres, including documentary and animation. The UK Film Council Award for Best British Short Film honours the finest on home soil however, the introduction of the Best International Short Film Award is a welcome addition and completes an impressive array of awards open to this important form of filmmaking.
All live-action shorts, no longer than 50 minutes, in the curated programme will be eligible for the cash prize of £1,000.
“Our raft of awards now represent the full breadth of our programme, and offer an additional boost in both publicity and prize money to filmmakers from all over the world. Prizes aren’t everything, of course, but we have seen our previous award-winners go from strength to strength after their EIFF premieres, and these new awards are intended to underline the festival’s most important work: supporting burgeoning careers, recognising excellence and innovation, and bringing exciting new work to worldwide attention” commented Hannah McGill, Artistic Director Edinburgh International Film Festival.
Posted by admin on July 1, 2008 under Edinburgh International Film Festival |
The Edinburgh International Film Festival today confirmed that actor Robert Carlyle (The Full Monty) has accepted the role of Festival Patron.Carlyle was invited by Sir Sean Connery to join him and Tilda Swinton, the Festival’s two other Patrons, at the close of this year’s successful EIFF
via:femalefirst
Posted by admin on June 29, 2008 under Edinburgh International Film Festival |
The 62nd EIFF concluded with today’s awards ceremony which saw Somers Town winning the Michael Powell Award, and Robert Carlyle walking away as best actor for his performance in Summer.
Bittersweet drama Somers Town scooped EIFF’s top prize this year at today’s awards ceremony presented by patron Sir Sean Connery.
The Michael Powell Award for Best New British Feature Film quadrupled in value this year.
The Michael Powell Jury, led by actor Danny Huston, recognised Shane Meadows’ latest as “the freshest, most imaginative maverick work, deserving of the Award.”
“After viewing an impressive selection of films and a long deliberation we, the Jury, unanimously agreed that the award would go to Somers Town.”
The prestigious PPG Award for Best Performance in a British Feature Film was handed to the multifaceted Robert Carlyle for his striking rendering of a man in conflict with his past in Summer. The Jury commended his work as “a flawless performance in a great, uncompromising film that touches the heart.”
The champion that emerged from the historically hefty documentary strand was Werner Herzog’s Encounters at the End of the World. The Best Documentary Award Jury, chaired by Seamus McGarvey, commented: “the documentaries competing for this award were, in many cases, exemplary.”
“It was a powerful shortlist of contrasting styles and experience, but in the end there was one film which we all agreed was the outstanding entry, a poetic vision but one with an unflinching gaze focusing on an area which should concern us all.”
But it was another documentary that won over the public’s heart and the Standard Life Audience Award.
Man on Wire, directed by James Marsh, is a thrilling reconstruction of daredevil Philippe Petit’s scheme to walk a high-wire strung between the twin towers of the former World Trade Centre.
Its first European screening on Thursday received a standing ovation and it was with equal enthusiasm that its audiences rewarded the film in their votes.
See below for the full list of award winners. Read more of this article »