EIFF announces full programme

Kyra Sedgwick's Story Of A Girl, which features her husband Kevin Bacon Photo: Courtesy of EIFF

Edinburgh International Film Festival launched its full programme this morning for its 71st edition, which will run from June 21 to July 2.

Among the star names attending the festival are Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, who will be bringing her directorial debut Story Of A Girl, with The Woodsman also screening in their honour. Stanley Tucci will attend with his film Final Portrait. The trio will also take part in In Person events at the festival, as will actor Richard E Grant, composer David Arnold and writer/director Lizzie Borden.

This year’s Festival will showcase a total of 151 features from 46 countries including: 17 world premieres, 12 international premieres, nine European Premieres and 69 UK Premieres.

Centre for the Moving Image CEO Ken Hay was keen to stress the festival's international credentials.

He said: "Film is special, it is unique. It is an art form in its own right but it is always a collaboration of other art forms. It transcends cultures, countries and continents like no other artform. At a time when borders, barriers and barricades seem every more important to politicians and nations, film festivals have never been more important in breaking down the walls, shining a light on the diversity and richness of stories and storytellers from across the world."

Sheila Hancock in Edie, which will have its world premiere Photo: Courtesy of EIFF

Among the highlights of the programme, are th e UK premiere of Disney-Pixar's Cars 3 anda chance to see Sundance World Documentary winner Last Men In Aleppo, about the White Helmets in Syria. The Best of British section will host a number of world premieres, including Bryn Higgins' Access All Areas featuring Jordan Stephens - one half of hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks – on a group road trip to the Isle of Wight’s Bestival music Festival and Simon Hunter’s Edie, starring a never-better Sheila Hancock as an elderly woman who aims to climb a Scottish mountain. Justin Edgar returns to the festival with his noir thriller The Marker, while the Donmar Warehouse's all-female adaptation of Julius Caesar will also feature.

The festival's country focus this year is Poland, with films including Kuba Czekaj's The Erlprince and Andrzej Wajda’s final feature Afterimage. Alongside the film programme, there will also be a free lecture by Rohan Crickmar on post-war Polish cinema - Diamonds Out of the Ashes: A Brief Survey of Polish Cinema 1946 to Present.

Festival artistic director Mark Adams said: "We’re thrilled to finally be able to reveal all of the details of this year’s diverse programme. In the Festival’s 70th Anniversary Year, we’re proud to be showcasing some of the most exciting, accomplished material from around the world and are looking forward to hosting these talented filmmakers and artists when the Festival opens on 21st June.”

EIFF has previously announced its retrospective The Future is History, curated by Niall Fulton. Inspired by the Brexit vote, it will explore identity in three parts - Great Britain, The Western World of The Future and Scotland, with highlights including a selection of titles from ex-Beatle George Harrison’s HandMade Films and a section dedicated to science-fiction cinema form 1980 to 1985. A booklet exploring the retro and its themes is available online here.

Tickets are now onsale from Edfilmfest.org.uk