Sands: International Film Festival of St Andrews is delighted to welcome Academy Award nominated actor and filmmaker Stanley Tucci to St Andrews for a screening of his much-loved classic 1996 film Big Night.

The film, which Tucci co-wrote, co-directed and starred in, will screen on Saturday 15 April at the Byre Theatre and be followed by a conversation between the actor and Key Festival Supporter Joe Russo (Avengers Endgame). This year Sands celebrates the idea of ‘beginnings’ and from this early film to the present day, Tucci will discuss his journey in film and TV.

Stanley Tucci’s comedic flair and love of good food shine through in Big Night, his story of brothers who need to save their ailing restaurant business with a Big Night of incredible food.

Tucci wrote the screenplay for Big Night with his cousin Joseph Tropiano and directed the film with friend Campbell Scott. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival where it was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize. Tucci and Tropiano also won the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay. A family affair, the film features his sister Christine and their mother, who wrote a cookbook for the film.

The event runs as part of the second edition of Sands: International Film Festival of St Andrews which boasts a bold and innovative programme that champions filmmakers, audiences and all those who cherish the power of cinema. The festival runs from Friday 14 – Sunday 16 April with Ania Trzebiatowska, Festival Director, once again showcasing a diverse selection of contemporary film, alongside a range of supporting activities such as industry talks and special events.

The festival programme also includes an early sneak peek of a hotly anticipated AGBO project, and other special screenings and internationally renowned guests.

Ania Trzebiatowska, Festival Director said:

The idea behind Sands is to create a sense of community and a dialogue between a diverse group of artists and film lovers. We think it’s important to pause and think about not just where we are, but also how we got here, and how to make this industry into a better and more sustainable environment. Stanley Tucci is one of the most curious, passionate and fearless filmmakers out there, and we’re so excited to welcome him to St Andrews to talk about his professional journey and the stories he’s interested in telling.

Over the course of three days, filmmakers and audiences descended on the iconic Scottish town for an exciting array of film premieres and industry events that included a special talk with key festival supporter Joe Russo (co-director of Avengers: Endgame and The Gray Man).

As well as offering advice to the next generation of filmmakers, key festival supporter Joe Russo (co-director of Avengers: Endgame and The Gray Man) will host a public discussion on the importance of gaming when it comes to contemporary storytelling with Epic Games Chief Creative Officer, Donald Mustard, who has worked as a creator and director of major titles such as Fortnite, which is the #1 most played game in the world with over 236 million monthly players.

The festival also features an appearance by veteran casting-director Margery Simkin, who will be sharing her extensive experience in a special industry talk. Margery’s credits include James Cameron’s Avatar (2009), cult-classic Little Shop of Horrors (1986), Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) and the original Top Gun (1986)

The festival also welcomes Ita O’Brien, a British movement director and intimacy co-ordinator for film, TV and theatre who is participating in a panel discussion on inclusion, equality, and sustainability in the film industry and Ellen Mirojnick, American costume designer and frequent collaborator of actor Michael Douglas, having overseen the costume design for the films Fatal Attraction, Wall Street, Basic Instinct, A Perfect Murder, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps and Behind the Candelabra.

With deep roots in the University of St Andrews, Sands takes pride in its close ties with the University’s prestigious Department of Film Studies and offers unique opportunities for students to connect with film festival curation and filmmaking talent operating at the highest levels. Moreover, the festival also seeks to fulfil a broader mission by bringing fresh and innovative cinema, including filmmakers from Scotland to audiences outside the University, residents from local communities and those of the surrounding areas.

Since its inception, the grounding philosophy of Sands has been to nurture new voices in filmmaking by showcasing their work and connecting them with the wider filmmaking community. This year, there are bespoke networking opportunities where talent from Scotland can make meaningful connections with established industry figures from all over the world.

The Byre Theatre is, once again, the producer of, and venue for the festival.