Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) Managing Director Ginnie Atkinson and Artistic Director Hannah McGill, today announced some of the expected guests at this year’s Festival as well as the film line-up for the Festival’s free outdoor screenings, FILM FESTIVAL UNDER THE STARS, in association with Homecoming Scotland.

Returning to Scotland in 2009 are expected guests including: Alan Cumming, Alfonso Cuarón, Andrea Arnold, Anthony Dod Mantle, Bill Forsyth, Brenda Blethyn, Darren Aronofsky, Ewen Bremner, Ian Hart, Jaime Winstone, Paddy Considine, Robin Wright-Penn, Roger Corman, Sam Mendes and Shane Meadows, as well as Festival Patrons Sir Sean Connery and Seamus McGarvey, all of whom have been to Edinburgh in previous years.

The Festival will also be welcoming new faces including: Carlos Cuarón, Diego Luna, Gael Garcia Bernal, Guy Pearce, Hugh Dancy, Jesse Eisenberg, Joe Dante, John Krasinski, Kathryn Bigelow, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Maya Rudolph, Meera Syal, Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Miller, Rose Byrne, Sharmila Tagore, William H. Macy and Yolande Moreau. Additional guests expected on the red carpet include: Claire Danes, Emily Blunt, Kate Winslet, Peter Saarsgard and Paul Thomas Anderson.

Recognising the work of the Scottish Festival’s Patrons Sir Sean Connery, Tilda Swinton, Robert Carlyle and Seamus McGarvey, 2009’s FILM FESTIVAL UNDER THE STARS will screen: INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE; THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA; STONE OF DESTINY and CHARLOTTE’S WEB, representing family films from each of the Patron’s careers to date.

Ginnie Atkinson, Managing Director, said, “Film Festival Under the Stars is a free annual event that aims to introduce the EIFF to new audiences. A fun event for cinema fans of all ages, and in celebration of Homecoming Scotland, the Festival is proud to present a selection of work from its four Patrons. We are also delighted to have so many international filmmakers and actors attending the Festival this year.”

FILM FESTIVAL UNDER THE STARS is part of the Homecoming Scotland celebrations at the EIFF where 2009 sees a 10-month long programme of events celebrating Scotland and its contribution to the world stage. The Festival is hosting a string of Homecoming events including a celebration for returning EIFF alumni to be attended by Sir Sean Connery; a Focus on Peter McDougall and John Mackenzie, and a 15th Anniversary Digital restoration screening of Danny Boyle’s SHALLOW GRAVE, which was first premiered at the EIFF in 1994. Cast member Kerry Fox and producer Andrew McDonald will both be returning to Scotland for the special anniversary screening.

The al-fresco screenings have traditionally been held at The Mound but this year will relocate to The Grassmarket as part of the joint initiative between Scottish Enterprise and The City of Edinburgh Council to enhance the historic market square. Homecoming’s FILM FESTIVAL UNDER THE STARS takes place on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 June and is free entry to all.

Marie Christie Director of Homecoming Scotland commented, “The year of Homecoming aims to celebrate many of Scotland’s great contributions to the world and reconnect Scotland with the millions of people around the world who have an ancestral link or love for our country. The Edinburgh International Film Festival is an established element of Scotland’s world-class events portfolio and we are delighted the Festival has taken the opportunity to partner with Homecoming.”

Images for the EIFF can be downloaded at www.edfilmfest.org.uk/press

The Edinburgh International Film Festival 17 - 28 June 2009
Industry and Press Accreditation is now open at www.edfilmfest.org.uk
The full EIFF programme is now available in print or online at www.edfilmfest.org.uk

Join our e-list to receive news and info about EIFF 2009 here: www.edfilmfest.org.uk/register

To download the PDF 2009 EIFF Brochure please click on the link below or visit
http://www.edfilmfest.org.uk/about-the-festival


Box office is now open, tickets available either online at www.edfilmfest.org.uk or from the credit card hotline: 0131 623 8030