Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has shared an annual review of last year’s revitalised edition. The 78th EIFF will run from 14 to 20 August 2025. Submissions for the Festival are now open via the Festival website.
Building on EIFF’s invigorated vision under new leadership from CEO and Festival Director Paul Ridd, the Festival will continue to accelerate the discovery of new film talent and engage with audiences, industry members and local, national and international media.
As previously announced, the 77th edition of EIFF welcomed 274 industry delegates, 153 filmmaker guests and 150 accredited press to the Festival. There were 12,000 admissions across 187 screenings and events including 37 new feature films and 47 new short films with filmmaking showcased from 33 countries represented. This included 34 World Premieres, 5 International Premieres, 2 European Premieres and 42 UK Premieres.
Audience feedback from 2024 commended the Festival’s “excellent atmosphere and programming” along with the varied programme of films and events and “good timings of most screenings around the working day” as well as the Festival’s “inclusive atmosphere and great use of venues around the city (helping) blend the film festival with The Fringe…”
Audiences also praised the programme’s diverse range of themes and showcasing of works from underrepresented groups. EIFF also championed stories with young, diverse casts; explored bonds between ethnic groups and racial diasporas and showcased stories about disability and neurodivergent experiences.
Audiences praised the “Diverse list of films, interesting Q+A and Panels offered.” Further audience feedback said: “The tier of ticket prices was really appreciated, allowing more to see these films without being priced out.” Venue accessibility was also highlighted: “All the venues were accessible and easy to get to and it was easy to find information both printed and online about this year’s EIFF lineup.”
Attending filmmakers were equally impressed with the Festival. Jack King, director of The Ceremony which won the inaugural Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence said: “This means so much to me… This is the first film festival I ever came to as a teenager; it’s my spiritual home.”
The winner of the inaugural Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking Excellence was Manny Wolfe, directed by Trevor Neuhoff who said: “Short films are always a passion project. You put everything into them and so did everyone else in the competition. I think we’re all friends now, which I don’t think happens a lot at festivals.”
The Festival’s 2024 industry programme focused on engaging with Scottish and international artists, creatives, and industry professionals across film and performing arts, providing targeted events for sharing knowledge and facilitating connections. In industry feedback, the In Conversation events in particular were commended for being of a “…really high level and inspiring”.
Press sang the praises of the Festival too. Time Out said “Edinburgh International Film Festival is back and looking more dynamic than ever,” and The Scotsman said the Festival was “a rejuvenated celebration of cinema.”
Further details on the 2025 Festival will be announced in the next few months.
Helmed by CEO and Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa, the Festival team aims to create a world-class showcase for independent film and filmmaking talent. Ridd is supported by the EIFF Board, led by Chair Andrew Macdonald of DNA Films, producer of the iconic Edinburgh-based film Trainspotting; and Vice Chair Amy Jackson, producer of BAFTA award-winning indie, Aftersun; as well as Peter Rice, former Chairman of General Entertainment at Disney and President of 21st Century Fox; Teresa Moneo, Director of UK Film, Netflix; Isla Macgillivray, Partner at Saffrey; and Romana Ramzan, Producer at No Code Studio.
EIFF CEO and Festival Director, Paul Ridd has said:
2024 was a unique year in the history of EIFF. A brand new organisation was established, led by a Board of industry experts and a new management team. And we delivered a completely new iteration of this vital film festival, honouring its legacy while looking firmly to the future.
EIFF’s Annual Report can be found here.
Criteria for submitting films to the Festival can be found via the Festival website with submissions now open. More information will be released on the shape of the 2025 Festival, venues and key strategic partners in the coming months.
EIFF will run from 14-20 August 2025