Edinburgh International Film Festival History

Discover the official selection of the 73rd edinburgh international film festival taking place from 19 30 june 2019.
Edinburgh international film festival history. Originally screening documentaries the festival grew to include fiction and experimental works. Inaugurated in 1947 the same year as the edinburgh international festival edinburgh international film festival is the world s longest continually running film festival. Here we take a look at some of the key moments in the history of our incredible festival city. The edinburgh international festival is an annual festival of performing arts in edinburgh scotland over three weeks in august.
Eiff began life as the international festival of documentary films and was opened by john grierson founder of the british documentary movement. The festival also hosts a series of visual art exhibitions talks and workshops. It was joined from its inception by what subsequently became known as the fringe and by the film festival. The first edinburgh international festival eif took place in 1947.
Edinburgh castle was bathed in moonlight. History of the festivals. Edinburgh international film festival is world renowned for discovering and promoting the very best in international cinema and for heralding and debating changes in global filmmaking. The edinburgh international film festival eiff is an annual fortnight of cinema screenings and related events taking place each june.
Edinburgh s major festivals are scotland s world leading cultural brands with expertise vision impact and international recognition unmatched by any other cultural events on the globe. Edinburgh international film festival celebrated its 73rd edition with the annual castle reception hosted by the. By invitation from the festival director the international festival brings top class performers of music theatre opera and dance from around the world to perform. The landmark project to deliver the future of filmhouse home to edinburgh international film festival adapts its scheduled pre planning public consultation in response to coronavirus.
According to festival folklore the idea for the edinburgh international festival was born one starry night in 1942 when rudolf bing and soprano audrey mildmay were strolling down princes street after watching a performance of john gay s the beggar s opera. Eiff presents both uk and international films all titles are world international european. Intimate in its scale ambitious in its scope and fuelled by pure passion for cinema in all its manifestations eiff seeks to spotlight the most exciting and innovative new film talent in a setting steeped in history.