The new director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival, Chris Fujiwara, spoke today about his plans for a star-studded event that will mark a return to the festival's traditional style after last year's hiatus. "I have the great opportunity of being given a sort of clean slate. I'm told that I can do the kind of festival that I want to do," he said - and that means he's aiming for surprises and a film selection with lots of variety.
Key to this approach will be rolling out the red carpet again, inviting stars to dazzle photographers and fans at premieres. But, says Fujiwara, it's all in the service of the films. "It doesn't necessarily mean we're getting away from an artistic focus or a focus on the films themselves which are the main thing. Everything is there to support the films, that's the point."
Fujiwara said his budget is still not set and he's looking for sponsors to help make the event a success. As for his own commitment, that's not in doubt. "Anything I can do to build that programme for this festival, for this city and for the international film community, I will do," he said.
