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Become part of the story of EIFF
Founded in 1947, Edinburgh International Film Festival is the world's longest continually-running film festival. Rolling on from our 70th anniversary in 2017, we are delighted to present an amazing selection of our many highlights thus far.
Map of EIFF Venues
About The Festival
Grierson Archive, University of Stirling
Edinburgh International Film Festival turned 70 years old in 2017, and in celebration we are delighted to present some of the many highlights from the world's longest continually running film festival.
EIFF began life as the "International Festival of Documentary Films" in 1947, founded by the Edinburgh Film Guild, the world's oldest film society. and opened by John Grierson, founder of the British documentary movement.
The Festival has been a champion of emerging British talent throughout its history, presenting world premieres of formative films by Bill Forsyth, Danny Boyle and Stephen Frears, among many others.
In the late 60s and early 70s, EIFF pioneered the retrospective with programmes on the likes of Samuel Fuller, Douglas Sirk and Martin Scorsese, something which continues to this day and has become standard practice at festivals all over the world.
Other important moments in the history of the Festival include the Women's Film Festival, exclusively for female directors and part of EIFF in 1972. Lynda Myles, Festival Director from 1973-1980, was the first woman to occupy such a role at any film festival in the world.
Over the years, EIFF has welcomed a huge number of guests, including John Huston, Gene Kelly, Jacques Tati, Jennifer Lawrence, Ewan McGregor, Sigourney Weaver, Robert Carlyle, David Cronenberg, Christine Vachon, Mike Leigh, Cate Blanchett, Clint Eastwood, Claire Danes and Sir Sean Connery.
The Festival has hosted premieres of Blade Runner, Alien, Back to the Future, Taxi Driver, Annie Hall, Withnail & I, The Usual Suspects, Amelie, The Hurt Locker, Little Miss Sunshine, Billy Elliot and many, many more.
We need your memories to help us build our story. Become part of the history of Edinburgh International FIlm Festival.
Share Your Memories of EIFF
We are building the complete history of EIFF and we need your memories to do so. Help us assemble the history of the festival! Tell us your stories, send us your photographs. If submitting a photograph, please let us know who took it, so that we can credit appropriately.
THANK YOU!
We have received your memory. Why not browse the timeline for more memorable EIFF moments?
Programme Covers 1947-2019
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John Grierson Archive, University of Stirling
1947
John Grierson and H. Forsyth Hardy
EIFF founders John Grierson (left) and H. Forsyth Hardy (right) at the opening of the First International Festival of Documentary Films outside Edinburgh Castle.
Louisiana Story (1948)
1948
Louisiana Story Opening Gala
The 2nd Festival opened with Robert J. Flaherty's Louisiana Story. Often mistaken for a documentary, it was in fact an early example of docu-fiction filmed in a hyper-realist style which misleads the viewer. In 1949, Virgil Thomson won the Pulitzer Prize for Music for his score to the film, which is still the only film score to be bestowed such an honour.
Bicycle Theives (1949)
1949
Bicycle Thieves
Vittorio De Sica's double Academy Award winner Bicycle Thieves, set in post-war Rome, was programmed as one of the highlights of a Festival showcasing the very best of European neorealism. However , unfortuately, after the film had been programmed and publicity published, it picked up UK distribution and the distributors pulled it from the Festival - a major 'one that got away'.
The Wooden Horse (1950)
1950
The Wooden Horse Opening Gala
With the Festival's title expanded to include 'Realist, Documentary, Experimental', the Opening Gala of Jack Lee's adaptation of Eric Williams' book The Wooden Horse represented another subtle move away from documentary - though based on real experience, the film was a studio picture albeit a low-budget one. Sunday Times journalist Dilys Powell described it as having "the poetry of unrehearsed adventure".
The Man in the White Suit (1951)
1951
The Man In The White Suit Opening Gala
The Festival opened with Alexander Mackendrick's The Man In The White Suit, Ealing Studios' satirical sci-fi comedy which satisfied Grierson and Forsyth Hardy's search for films embracing social comment. Mackendrick was fresh from directing one of Ealing's greatest successes, the iconic Whisky Galore! - the remake of which closed the Festival in 2016.
1952
The Duke of Edinburgh Opens The 6th Festival
The 6th Festival included Le Plaisir by Max Ophuls and Stanley Kramer's adaptation of Death of a Salesman representing a distinct move away from documentary programming. In this archive footage we see Norman Wilson (chairman of the Festival), Lillian Hopewell (secretary for the Festival) and Forsyth Hardy meet the Duke of Edinburgh at the opening of the Edinburgh International Festival.
Test Credit
1953
Selznick Golden Laurel Awards
The Golden Laurel award was won by Charles Frend for The Cruel Sea who was present at the New Victoria with two of the film's stars, Virginia McKenna and Denholm Elliot. Alexander Korda was received a new Selznick Award for the filmmaker who had contributed most to international understanding.
1954
Time for Expansion
1954 rang in a number of changes intended to expand the scope of the Festival, including taking over the Cameo cinema together with a number of other cinemas across the city, making it possible to show 170 of the 210 films submitted. John Huston agreed to serve as Honorary President, bringing further prominence and acclaim to the Festival.
Les Vacances de M. Hulot (1953)
1955
Jacques Tati's M. Hulot's Holiday
After the Festival screened Les Vacances de M. Hulot in 1955 Jacques Tati sent EIFF a telegram saying “Ta Ta, Tattoo, Tati”.
The same year, Vittorio de Sica, the festival's Honorary President, was presented with the Golden Laurel Award by Douglas Fairbanks Jr. at the New Victoria cinema.
Gene Kelly at EIFF 1956
1956
Gene Kelly's Invitation to Dance
In 1956, Gene Kelly came to Edinburgh for the premiere of Invitation to the Dance at the New Victoria cinema.
"I have always been a confirmed believer in the "Film Festival" as an incentive to higher standards of creative work, and anyone who has been to Edinburgh will tell you that every visitor leaves with the resolve to do better things."
A Face in the Crowd (1957)
1957
A Face in the Crowd Midnight Matinee
The Festival announced in its second week that it was hosting Edinburgh's first Midnight Matinee: Elia Kazan's A Face in the Crowd, which screened at 11.30pm at the Regal cinema on Lothian Road with a personal appearance by Patricia Neal.
1958
Two Men and a Wardrobe
The most talked about film at the Festival was Roman Polanski's Two Men and a Wardrobe. Forsyth Hardy recalled "clearly the immediate impact it made at the viewing session. The shot of two men emerging from the sea carrying a wardrobe suggested a surrealist comedy and was greeted with laughter. As the men begain exploring the strange world they had entered the deeper meaning of the situation registered. This first puzzled, then disturbed, reaction was repeated when the film was publicly shown. Through it and other films from Poland we learned something about the re-birth of Polish cinema and the work of the State Film School at Lodz." H. Forsyth Hardy, Slightly Mad and Full of Dangers
1959
New Victoria Cinema
The Festival opened with Bert Haanstra's first feature film Fanfare on which he had received the help and guidance of one Alexander Mackendrick after meeting in Edinburgh at the 1951 Festival. This archive footage shows British Pathé winning a prize at the New Victoria cinema during the 14th Edinburgh Film Festival.
1960
I Aim At The Stars Opening Gala
Curt Jürgens and Gia Scala came to Edinburgh for the Opening Gala of I Aim At The Stars in which they both starred. They are seen here standing in front of 'Film House' at Randolph Crescent in 1960.
The Pleasure of his Company (1961)
1961
The Pleasure of his Company
Fred Astaire and Debbie Reynold's The Pleasure of His Company - for which Astaire won a Golden Globe - had its European Premiere at the ABC cinema on Lothian Road in 1961.
Last Year at Marienbad (1962)
1962
The Film and The Literature
The theme of the Festival in 1962 was The Film and the Literature, in celebration of the inspiration cinema has found in books, featuring screenings of such classic literary adaptations as A Streetcar Named Desire, The Innocents, Last Year at Marienbad, Wuthering Heights and The Quiet American.
An Evening with the Royal Ballet (1963)
1963
The Film and The Drama
The Festival's theme of The Film and the Drama in 1963 explored the relationship between the dramatic arts and cinema with a special gala screening of An Evening with the Royal Ballet including filmed performances from Sleeping Beauty with Margot Fonteyn and Rudolph Nureyev.
The Seventh Seal (1957)
1964
Ingmar Bergman Retrospective
The Festival continued to champion Ingmar Bergman with a season of his work, including all the films that had previously screened in Edinburgh: The Seventh Seal, Wild Strawberries, The Face, Virgin Spring and The Devil's Eye.
From Here to Eternity (1953)
1965
Fred Zinnemann Awarded the Golden Thistle
The Films of Scotland Committee presented Fred Zinneman with the Golden Thistle Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the art of cinema in David Bruce's first year as Festival Director. To coincide with the presentation of the award the Festival programmed five examples of his work including From Here to Eternity and The Nun's Story.
Dr Zhivago (1966)
1966
Dr Zhivago Opening Gala
The 20th Festival opened with the UK premiere of David Lean's Dr Zhivago starring Julie Christie and Omar Sharif at the ABC cinema. The film went on to become one of the highest grossing of all time and won five Academy Awards.
The Third Man (1949)
1967
Carol Reed Honoured
The Golden Thistle award was presented by George Singleton to Carol Reed marking him as one of the most distinguished figures of the British film scene. The Festival included a season of his work; Odd Man Out, The Fallen Idol, The Third Man, An Outcast of the Islands, The Man Between and Our Man In Havana.
John Grierson Archive, University of Stirling
1968
John Grierson receives the Golden Thistle
Murray Grigor was appointed as Director of the Festival and, gesturing toward its origins, invited John Grierson to give the Celebrity Lecture that year. Grierson also received the Golden Thistle Award from the Films of Scotland Committee at their Scotland on the Screen performance on 24 August 1968.
I Shot Jesse James (1949)
1969
Samuel Fuller Retrospective
The Festival presented its groundbreaking retrospective on the complete works of Samuel Fuller, the first and fullest to be shown in Britain including screenings of Run of the Arrow, I Shot Jesse James, Forty Guns, Crimson Kimono and Underworld USA, with Fuller in attendance. EIFF published an accompanying book on Fuller: the first to appear in any language.
1970
Susannah York's Country Dance
Susannah York attended the Festival for the gala screening of Country Dance, starring York and Peter O'Toole, at the Playhouse. The screenplay was written by Scottish novelist James Kennaway, and much of the film was shot in his native Perthshire.
Pas de Deux (1968)
1971
Norman McLaren Retrospective
The Festival celebrated the work of Scots-born animator Norman McLaren with a retrospective including his less well-known work New York Lightboard and Korean Alphabet. The Festival has long championed McLaren's work, culminating in the delivery of the seminal McLaren 2014 project in celebration of the centenary of his birth.
1972
The Women's Film Festival
In 1972 Lynda Myles, Laura Mulvey and Claire Johnston programmed a season of films dedicated to women directors that was truly groundbreaking and the first of its kind in Europe. The following year, Myles was appointed as Artistic Director of the Festival, the first ever female director of a film festival anywhere in the world.
1973
Werner Herzog's First Retrospective
While in Edinburgh for the premiere of Aguirre Wrath of God and his retrospective in 1973, Werner Herzog disappeared after two days, travelling north to shoot some landscape footage. Herzog first attended the Festival in support of Fata Morgana in 1971, and visited again in 1975 and 1982. A further retrospective on his work was presented in 2001.
Football as Never Before (1971)
1974
Football as Never Before
The Festival screened Hellmuth Costard’s Football As Never Before in which several 16mm cameras followed George Best in close-up for the whole match between Manchester United and Coventry City. Rarely seen since and thought to be a ‘lost’ film, it was recently unearthed for a screening in Dublin on the 10th anniversary of George’s death.
1975
Robbie Coltrane
Robbie Coltrane volunteered as an EIFF guest driver in 1975.
1976
Eduardo Paolozzi's Posters
Eminent Scottish sculptor and artist Eduardo Paolozzi, widely considered to be one of the pioneers for pop art, designed three unique posters for the Festival. Paolozzi signed a limited edition of the first in 1973.
Hard Labour (1973)
1977
The First Edinburgh International Television Festival
In 1977 EIFF founded the Edinburgh International Television Festival as a five day affair including the MacTaggart Memorial Lecture presented by Max Ophuls, and a great number of events and screenings including Mike Leigh's Hard Labour, Culloden, episodes of Coronation Street, Emmerdale Farm, Some Women and The Dance of the Seven Veils.
Long Shot (1978)
1978
Long Shot Filmed During EIFF
Maurice Hatton’s Long Shot, featuring Charles Gormley as a producer trying to find Sam Fuller to direct his next film, was filmed during the 1977 Festival and was first screened in 1978, and again in 2010 as part of the After the Wave retrospective.
Alien (1979)
1979
Alien Midnight Screening
The midnight screening of Alien at the New Victoria cinema was attended by director Ridley Scott, who said of the film, "I've never been an enthusiast for horror or science fiction, but this was a great script. Alien is much more than a horror film. It is a film about terror."
1980
Tess Closing Night Gala
In 1980 the Roman Polanski's Tess was the Closing Night Gala and the final 70mm film to ever be shown at the Caley Picture House.
1982
Peter Greenaway and Michael Nyman
Peter Greenaway and Michael Nyman attended the Festival for the premiere of The Draughtsman's Contract.
1983
Japanese Cinema Retrospective
EIGA 25 Years of Japanese Cinema publication
1984
Walter Hill's Streets of Fire
Walter Hill attended the Festival for the premiere of Streets of Fire at Filmhouse. Walter's first visit to EIFF was for The Driver in 1978, and he returned for Brewster's Millions in 1985 and Extreme Prejudice in 1987.
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Betty Blue (1986)
1986
Betty Blue Opening Gala
For the Opening Gala screening of Betty Blue at the Playhouse in 1986, the Festival paid for a new screen to be installed to ensure a flawless image. Director Jean-Jacques Beineix, whose groundbreaking Diva premiered at EIFF in 1981, was present to support the film.
1987
Housekeeping
During the 1987 Festival Bill Forsyth arranged a special screening of his just-completed film Housekeeping which we couldn’t include in the programme.
A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
1988
John Cleese exposes Michael Palin
When John Cleese was in Edinburgh to promote A Fish Called Wanda in 1988, he left a message in the Festival's guestbook: "Michael Palin sends his apologies, but he doesn't like Edinburgh. I love it."
The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989)
1989
EIFF Surprise Movie
EIFF began the tradition of surprise movies in 1989 with Peter Greenaway’s controversial The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover, revealing the identity of the film only once the audience were in their seats. Pulp Fiction, LA Confidential, Spirited Away, My Name is Joe and The Bourne Identity were all screened as surprise movies at the Festival.
1990
Clint Eastwood in Tollcross
Clint Eastwood came to Edinburgh to promote the Festival's screening of White Hunter Black Heart at the Cameo cinema in 1990 with the soundtrack's composer and legendary producer Quincy Jones also in attendance.
Barton Fink (1991)
1991
Barton Fink Closing Gala
The Coen Brothers' Barton Fink closed the Festival, fresh from a clean sweep at Cannes where it won the Palme d'Or as well as awards for best actor and best director. A strong programme in 1991 also saw premieres of Jungle Fever, Life is Sweet, Truly Madly Deeply, Boyz In The Hood and Pump Up The Volume.
1992
Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer
Future Prime Minister Gordon Brown met with EIFF Artistic Director Penny Thomson at Filmhouse in 1992, browsing the programme for a Festival that included premieres of Reservoir Dogs, Glengarry Glen Ross, Man Bites Dog and Les Amants du Pont Neuf.
The Piano (1993)
1993
The Piano Opening Gala
Jane Campion's Palme d'Or winner The Piano was the Opening Gala at the 47th Festival. Her short film Passionless Moments screened at the Festival in 1984, discovered amongst hundreds of films submitted that year.
1994
Shallow Grave introduces Boyle and McGregor
1994 saw the premiere of Shallow Grave, with Danny Boyle, Ewan McGregor, Christopher Eccleston and Kerry Fox in attendance. The film was a breakthrough for Boyle and McGregor in particular, both of whom have maintained a close relationship with EIFF. Clerks, Dazed & Confused, Killing Zoe, Muriel's Wedding and The Last of England also screened at the 48th Festival, the latter in tribute to the recently departed Derek Jarman.
The Usual Suspects (1995)
1995
The Usual Suspects
Mark Cousins' first Festival as Artistic Director presented the premiere of The Usual Suspects, a film that went on to become one of the most iconic of the decade, with Kevin Spacey winning an Oscar for his performance. Also screening in 1995 were The Basketball Diaries, Desperado, Small Faces and EIFF Audience Award winner Muriel's Wedding.
1996
EIFF Patron Sean Connery
EIFF Patron Sean Connery attended the Opening Gala of Dragonheart, in which he starred, at the Odeon cinema in 1996. Sir Sean also graced the poster for the Festival's historic 50th edition.
1997
Billy Connolly and Judi Dench
Billy Connolly and Judi Dench both attended EIFF in Lizzie Francke's first year as Artistic Director for the premiere of Mrs Brown at the Dominion cinema. The film was an unexpected smash, transforming the career of hitherto unknown director John Madden, who went on to helm Shakespeare in Love, Captain Corelli's Mandolin and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
1998
Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas
EIFF screened the premiere of Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas with director Terry Gilliam in attendance. The Festival also presented Cinema Under The Stars at the City Chambers, closing off the High Street to vehicles, turning the area into a traffic-free piazza and screening three of Gilliam's classics: Time Bandits, 12 Monkeys and Brazil.
1999
Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo Stop Traffic
Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo attended the 1999 premiere of The Thomas Crown Affair at the Odeon cinema on South Clerk Street, halting the traffic.
Dancer in the Dark (2000)
2000
Dancer in the Dark Opening Gala
Lars Von Trier's controversial Dancer in the Dark opened the Festival in 2000, after winning the Palme d'Or at Cannes. Björk, in her only role to date, won best actress at both Cannes and the European Film Awards. The 54th Festival also saw premieres of Beautiful Creatures, Amores Perros, Audition and EIFF Audience Award Winner Billy Elliot.
2001
Sean Penn's Reel Life
Sean Penn attended Edinburgh in 2001 with his then-wife Robin Wright to promote his latest film The Pledge, an ensemble drama starring Jack Nicholson, Aaron Eckhart, Helen Mirren and Mickey Rourke, and participate in a Reel Life onstage interview.
2002
Morvern Callar Opening Gala
The 2002 Festival opened with the premiere of Lynne Ramsey's Morvern Callar at the Odeon cinema, with the film's star Samantha Morton in attendance. The actress won a British Independent Film Award for her performance as the title character in the acclaimed adaptation of Scottish writer Alan Warner's debut novel.
Young Adam (2003)
2003
David Mackenzie's Young Adam
David Mackenzie's Young Adam screened as the Festival's Opening Gala, and won the Audience Award, in 2003. Based on Alexander Trocchi's novel, the film was a veritable showcase of British talent: it starred Ewan McGregor, Emily Mortimer, Peter Mullan and Tilda Swinton.
My Summer of Love (2004)
2004
Pawel Pawlikowski's My Summer of Love
After winning the Michael Powell Award for Best British Feature with Last Resort in 2000, Pawel Pawlikowski returned to Edinburgh for the world premiere of My Summer of Love with Emily Blunt and Natalie Press - and won his second Michael Powell Award.
2005
Alessandro Nivola, Natascha McElhone and Jason Biggs
Alessandro Nivola attended as a Michael Powell juror, seen here with Natascha McElhone and Jason Biggs at EIFF for the premiere of Guy X.
2006
Sigourney Weaver receives Diamond Award
Sigourney Weaver was in Edinburgh for the Festival's 60th edition, receiving an EIFF Diamond Award for outstanding contribution to world cinema and attending the premiere of her latest film, Snow Cake, which also starred Alan Rickman. Tilda Swinton, D. A. Pennebaker, Mike Leigh and Ken Loach were also presented with awards.
2008
The Edge of Love Opening Gala
Keira Knightley and Sienna Miller attended the Opening Gala premiere of The Edge of Love, John Maybury's film about the complicated love life of the poet Dylan Thomas. Maybury won the Michael Powell Award in 1998 for Love is the Devil.
2010
Patrick Stewart In Person
Patrick Stewart attended the Festival as Chair of the Michael Powell Jury and for an In Person: BAFTA Scotland interview. The jury voted Nick Whitfield's Skeletons as the Best British Feature, and Festival premieres included Werner Herzog’s My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done and Steven Soderbergh’s And Everything Is Going Fine.
2012
Elliott Gould
Elliott Gould interviewed by Jo Utichi at EIFF
2015
The Legend of Barney Thomson Opening Gala
EIFF Patron Robert Carlyle's directorial debut The Legend of Barney Thomson opened in Mark Adams' first year as Artistic Director. The Festival also saw premieres of Love & Mercy, Michael Powell Award Winner 45 Years and The Diary of a Teenage Girl, with stars Bel Powley and Alexander Skårsgard in attendance.
2016
Kim Cattrall In Person
Kim Cattrall attended the Festival for a special In Person event and as a member of the Michael Powell Jury in 2016, returning to EIFF after her visit in 2011 for Meet Monica Velour. The jury gave the award for best British feature to Scottish filmmaker and EIFF Talent Lab alumni Ben Sharrock for Pikadero.
Tyler Johnston, Edinburgh
2017
Story of a Girl
"The international premiere of Story of a Girl. Celebrating the film with Andrew Herr & Kevin Bacon on the red carpet in Edinburgh. " Tyler Johnston