Edinburgh International Film Festival
The Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) holds the distinction of being the world’s longest-running film festival, and in 2024, it entered a bold new era with a complete relaunch, guided by a new board of leading industry figures. Honouring over 70 years of cinematic legacy, the Festival now presents a refreshed and dynamic programme, firmly grounded in Scottish culture while embracing the diverse voices of global cinema.
At the heart of the new EIFF are two prestigious competitions designed to spotlight emerging talent:
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The Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence, offering a £50,000 audience-voted award
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The Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking Excellence, with a £15,000 cash prize, also decided by public vote
Running every August, EIFF aligns with Edinburgh’s vibrant festival season, sharing the stage with world-renowned events such as The Fringe, the Edinburgh International Festival, Book Festival, Art Festival, and TV Festival. Collectively, these festivals draw millions of visitors, turning the city into a global cultural hub.
The revitalised Festival is led by CEO & Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa, and is backed by a powerhouse board including:
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Andrew Macdonald (Chair, DNA Films – Trainspotting, The Beach, Civil War)
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Amy Jackson (Vice Chair, Unified Theory – Aftersun, The Nest)
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Peter Rice (former Chairman of General Entertainment at Disney)
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Teresa Moneo (Director of UK Film at Netflix)
Together, this team is shaping EIFF into a world-class platform for independent cinema, committed to artistic innovation, cultural dialogue, and the discovery of tomorrow’s filmmakers. The festival’s renewed vision is one of energy, experimentation, and collaboration, weaving cinema into the broader artistic fabric of Edinburgh’s August festivals and offering audiences a rich, cross-disciplinary cultural experience.
