06/10/2011

The 66th Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) will remain in June, ending months of speculation about its move back to its old August slot after a less than stellar 2011 edition. The 2012 EIFF will run between June 20 and July 1.

The prestigious Michael Powell Award for Best New British Feature Film that was discontinued in 2011 thereby robbing EIFF of much of its sheen also returns.

Ken Hay, acting CEO of Scotland’s Centre for the Moving Image, said, “The ‘June or August’ debate has been at the forefront of discussions since the end of this year’s festival and is a matter on which the board has sought broad consultation. The film industry, including press, distributors and sales agents, have all been part of the conversation to ensure a decision that is correct and will provide the very best future for the Festival. With the dates now final, our newly appointed Artistic Director, Chris Fujiwara, will work with his programming team to create a fantastic line-up for 2012.”

John Trafford-Owen, Head of Theatrical Distribution, StudioCanal, said, “We look forward to continuing our relationship with EIFF in June, a time of year that creates the ideal platform for late summer and autumn launches as demonstrated so successfully this year when we were able to open the festival with John Michael McDonagh’s The Guard [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: John Michael McDonagh
film profile].”

Fujiwara said, “I’m delighted that The Michael Powell Award will be back for 2012. The award has been an integral part of the festival for years; it has seen some inspirational filmmakers enjoy its benefits and is crucial to the festival’s creative vision.”