Edinburgh Film Festival: A New Dawn for Cinema Enthusiasts
A festival reborn
Less than two years ago, the future of the Edinburgh International Film Festival seemed bleak. The world’s oldest continually running film festival faced an uncertain fate when its organizer, the Centre for the Moving Image, went into administration in October 2022. The closure of its main venue, the Filmhouse cinema, due to rising costs and reduced trade post-pandemic, only added to the woes. The departure of creative director Kristy Matheson to the BFI London Film Festival seemed to be the final nail in the coffin.
However, the festival’s story took an unexpected turn. In August 2023, a one-off iteration backed by Screen Scotland breathed new life into the event. The appointment of “Trainspotting” producer Andrew Macdonald to lead a new company marked the beginning of a fresh chapter. Later that year, Paul Ridd, head of acquisitions at Picturehouse Entertainment, was brought on board as the director, relocating from London to Edinburgh to take up the role.
A fresh start with a stellar lineup
For his first revamped Edinburgh Film Festival, which kicks off on August 15, Ridd and his team have curated an impressive array of films and talent. The festival opens with the U.K. premiere of the Saoirse Ronan-led drama The Outrun, which garnered acclaim at Sundance and Berlin, and has already sparked early Oscar buzz for Ronan. Edinburgh will also host the first U.K. screening of Fede Alvarez’s new sci-fi franchise entry Alien: Romulus. The festival promises numerous world premieres across both features and short films.
On the industry side, the festival will feature a keynote address from Alex Garland, in conversation with Macdonald, and events with legendary editor Thelma Schoonmaker and French auteur Gaspar Noé.
Building a new organization
Reflecting on the journey from near closure to rejuvenation, Ridd explains, “We’ve had to build up a completely new organization from the ground up. Our board, including Adam MacDonald, Amy Jackson, and Peter Rice, came together to create something new from the remains of the previous CMI and the temporary festival last year. We’ve tried to integrate more closely into the Fringe and take advantage of the creative arts festival happening around us.”
New elements and collaborations
The revamped festival promises the same high standard of curation and film choices, with a broad range of international cinema. However, there are new elements to look forward to. “We’ve formed partnerships with the Fringe and Fringe organizations to run new pop-up spaces in addition to the cinema screenings,” Ridd shares.
While the number of films may not have increased, the festival’s ambition has. The centerpiece of the festival is the Sean Connery Prize for Filmmaking Excellence, with 10 world premiere features competing for the award. The Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking Excellence will also see world premieres vying for substantial financial rewards. “Around half the program is world premieres,” Ridd notes, emphasizing the festival’s focus on exclusive events.
A discovery festival
Ridd’s background in distribution has undoubtedly helped secure high-profile titles like The Outrun and Alien: Romulus. “Being embedded in the U.K. distribution landscape has helped, but it’s also about leveraging relationships and trust built over the years,” he says.
The festival aims to be a discovery platform, akin to Sundance or Telluride. “We want to create a space for films that appeal to audiences, press, industry, buyers, producers, and filmmakers. The idea of finding completely new work is central to our ambition,” Ridd explains.
Looking ahead
Despite the rocky past few years, the festival’s future looks promising. “I’m here to stay. We have a lot of strong people working with us and great collaborators. The positive responses to the festival lineup and our announcements show there is a lot of goodwill and support,” Ridd says. The integration with the Fringe app has also opened up new audiences, expanding the festival’s reach.
A personal touch
On a lighter note, Ridd humorously addresses a common mix-up. “Every time you Google my name, it says, ‘Did you mean Paul Rudd?’ I took this job hoping to change the SEO on Paul Ridd. But it still hasn’t. I’ll have to do something even more special,” he laughs.
The Edinburgh International Film Festival is back, stronger and more ambitious than ever. For cinema enthusiasts, it promises a rich tapestry of films, talent, and industry insights, making it a must-visit event on the global film festival calendar.