Edinburgh International Film Festival

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Edinburgh International Film Festival

Edinburgh International Film Festival
79th edition: 13 - 19 August 2026
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Established in 1947, the Edinburgh International Film Festival is renowned around the world for discovering and promoting the very best in international cinema. Inspired by the unique identity of Edinburgh and our love of film, EIFF connects audiences with innovative and essential storytellers. Intimate in scale, ambitious in artistic scope, EIFF is your annual celebration of screen, at the heart of a global cultural gathering.

02/10/2026

From EIFF to cinemas across the UK.

Molly Manners' fresh and spiky coming-of-age comedy drama EXTRA GEOGRAPHY opens in cinemas today, following its UK Premiere at EIFF this summer.

There’s also still time to catch two more films from the EIFF 2026 programme on the big screen, with HOPE and HER PRIVATE HELL currently showing in cinemas.

Whether you discovered them with us in Edinburgh or missed them during the Festival, seek out a screening near you and continue supporting independent film.

30/09/2026

Red carpet ready.

For 20 years, the Charlie Miller team has been part of the magic behind the scenes at EIFF, getting our guests camera-ready for premieres, events and those all-important red carpet moments.

For , their stylists worked their magic on Grant O’Rourke, Radha Mitchell, John Hannah, Tamer Hassan, Flora Nicholson, Mia Tharia, Sophie Heldman, Anna Calder-Marshall and Leah McAteer.

From The Incomer and Bad Day at the Office to The Education of Jane Cu***ng, Queen at Sea and our Closing Night documentary BEL, it was another Festival of film, talent and some seriously good hair.

A huge thank you to the Charlie Miller team for being part of EIFF once again.

25/09/2026

Scotland’s biggest global star.

Thirty years on from his international breakthrough as Renton in Trainspotting, EIFF welcomed Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor Ewan McGregor for a fascinating onstage conversation reflecting on his remarkable life and career.

From those unforgettable early roles to an extraordinary career across screen and stage, it was a privilege to hear Ewan share his stories, memories and insights with us in Edinburgh.

A huge thank you to BAFTA Scotland for helping make this special evening possible.

22/09/2026

A landmark hotel for a landmark festival.

We were delighted to partner with The Caledonian Edinburgh for EIFF 2026, with the iconic hotel at the heart of the Festival as the home of the Variety Lounge - welcoming filmmakers, talent and industry guests throughout the week.

Festival season may be behind us but there’s plenty more to discover at The Caledonian. Settle in for a season of music, flavour and evenings worth savouring, from locally inspired menus and live music at The Court to vinyl, cocktails and late-night bites at The Caley Bar

An unforgettable autumn awaits in the heart of Edinburgh.

21/09/2026

We were delighted to partner with JUBEL this year, bringing a refreshing touch to our EIFF Ceilidh and helping create a memorable evening for our filmmakers and industry friends.

The Ceilidh is always a highlight; a chance to meet new people and make connections. With Jubel on hand for the celebrations, it was the perfect way to bring our Festival community together for an evening of dancing and conversation.

10/09/2026

Described by IndieWire as “independent cinema at its most provocative,” Elliot Tuttle’s debut feature Blue Film arrives in select UK cinemas tomorrow, 11th September, following its World Premiere at EIFF 2025.

A camboy is in control in front of the camera. But his new client isn't paying to watch a show, he's paying to settle something much older.

04/09/2026

Fresh from its International Premiere at EIFF 2026, delightful and moving comedy THE INCOMER arrives in UK cinemas today.

To celebrate, we’re looking back at some of our favourite moments from the film’s Opening Night Gala at EIFF. The directorial debut of Edinburgh-born filmmaker Louis Paxton, THE INCOMER was a fitting Opening Night film for a Festival that celebrates new talent, bold filmmaking and Scottish voices.

THE INCOMER is in UK cinemas now.

02/09/2026

The Herald have given their verdict on a month of festivities in Edinburgh, Festival City.

Among their highlights from across the city were two memorable moments from EIFF 2026: our emotional Closing Night presentation of Louise Lockwood’s BEL and our landmark live event at celebrating the 30th anniversary of Trainspotting.

We are proud to be part of what makes August in Edinburgh unlike anywhere else - with EIFF putting independent film firmly at the heart of the city’s festival season.

Link in bio to read the full article.

Park Circus

25/08/2026

It was a privilege to welcome Hope to EIFF for its exclusive UK Premiere and to experience Na Hong-jin’s extraordinary new sci-fi thriller in IMAX.

Following its sensational debut at Cannes, the film arrived in Edinburgh for one very special screening, bringing together an incredible cast including Hwang Jung-min, HoYeon Jung, Taylor Russell, Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander.

With its scale and visual intensity, Hope is the kind of film that demands to be experienced on a big screen and we are so proud to have been able to share this film in IMAX with our Festival audience.

Thank you Cineworld Edinburgh and IMAX UK for showing this film in all its glory.

NEON Picturehouse Entertainment

21/08/2026

“We need Festivals like this that really champion independent filmmaking.”

From bold new voices to filmmakers pushing the boundaries of independent cinema, EIFF 2026 has been a celebration of the filmmakers shaping the future of film.

This year, 11 directors brought 10 films to the feature competition for the Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence, sharing stories that challenged us, surprised us and stayed with us, and connecting with audiences from Edinburgh and around the world.

On closing night, we celebrated these filmmakers and the work that made this year’s Festival so memorable at our Awards Ceremony, presenting The Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence to Skintown, directed by Kieron J. Walsh, and The Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking Excellence to Grief Room, directed by Sindha Agha.

A huge thank you to every filmmaker, artist, industry professional, partner and audience member who made this Festival what it was, and especially to the filmmakers who shared their work, their stories and their voices with us.

Thank you to .co for capturing the magic of EIFF 2026.

Good Cause funding

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Edinburgh

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https://www.edfilmfest.org/

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