Film festival director Paul Ridd discusses world premieres, industry development, and this year's energetic lineup at the Edinburgh Film Festival.
Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) Returns with Renewed Focus and Exciting Lineup
The Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) is gearing up for its second edition under the leadership of Paul Ridd, with notable changes and improvements from the previous year.
In 2025, the EIFF will introduce a new dedicated space for screenings and events, enhancing the overall immersive experience for attendees. The festival will also place a heavier emphasis on world premieres and building a film market, aiming to boost its industry profile and attract a diverse range of international cinema.
The festival's programming identity is becoming sharper, with a stronger focus on Scottish cultural presence and immersive documentary storytelling, especially about iconic Scottish subjects. This strategy is designed to strengthen the festival's connection with local culture and audiences.
Paul Ridd, supported by festival producer Emma Boa, has set a two-pronged test for success, focusing on audience engagement and industry impact. The festival's ambition is to elevate its prestige, build audiences, and strengthen its role as a global film industry event.
The 2023 edition of the EIFF will open with Eva Victor's comedy drama Sorry, Baby. Notable films in the lineup include Campbell X's UK-South Africa co-production Low Rider, Ehsan Khoshbakht's work with the EIFF on repertory programming, and Helen Walsh's Cannes Great 8 title On The Sea.
Renowned guests for the EIFF's industry programme include Rose Garnett, Farhana Bhula, Eva Yates, Adele Romanski, and David Hinojosa. The festival has also partnered with Amy Jackson and Lauren Dark's production company Unified for its industry programme.
In addition to the Filmhouse, Cameo, Vue Omni, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre in the National Galleries of Scotland, and Tollcross Central Hall, the EIFF will feature new venues this year. The festival is also considering the possibility of adding more competition strands and a formal marketplace.
The EIFF will return on August 14, 2023, and the festival is at the top of the awards corridor, with last year's premieres like Sing Sing, The Substance and The Outrun marking the start of the awards journey for some films. The EIFF also offers the £50,000 Sean Connery prize for feature filmmaking excellence, and Reneé Zellweger's animated short They will have its world premiere at the EIFF.
Despite the emergence of SXSW London, the EIFF and SXSW London are different in terms of timing, location, and priorities, and the emergence of SXSW London does not present significant challenges for the EIFF.
Paul Ridd took the helm of the EIFF in late 2023, and his vision is to continue elevating the festival's prestige, build audiences, and strengthen its role as a global film industry event. With these changes and an exciting lineup, the 2023 EIFF promises to be an unforgettable event for film enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.
Movies-and-TV enthusiasts and entertainment aficionados will be thrilled to learn about the Edinburgh International Film Festival's (EIFF) renewed focus and exciting lineup for 2023, designed to boost its industry profile and attract a diverse range of international cinema. The festival's programming includes a mix of world premieres, Scottish cultural showcases, immersive documentary storytelling, and notable film productions from around the globe.
