Sir Sean Connery to attend Edinburgh International Film Festival

09-May-2008 • Event

Sir Sean Connery and Tilda Swinton are expected to attend this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival - reports the BBC.

At least 142 feature films with cast and crew from 29 different countries makes up the festival, which has moved to earlier in the festival calendar.

There will be a Dylan Thomas film, a drama about the stone of destiny, the premiere of a new Pixar animation and a string of cutting edge documentaries.

Last year the decision was taken to move the festival from August to June.

Organisers argue the new slot will allow them to expand the festival, something which was not possible in the packed August schedule.

We have a terrifically exciting programme this year, which is the happy result of a very enthusiastic response from distributors and filmmakers

Hannah McGill
Edinburgh International Film Festival

Their patrons, Sir Sean Connery and Tilda Swinton, have both already promised to attend the new June event.

Ginnie Atkinson, EIFF managing director, said: "We would like to see Edinburgh become known around the world as a film city, like the way it is seen as a festival city."

Hannah McGill, artistic director, added: "We have a terrifically exciting programme this year, which is the happy result of a very enthusiastic response from distributors and filmmakers.

"From powerful artistic and political statements to works of pure, escapist entertainment, I think this is a festival that reflects an active, vibrant world film culture - and suits the diverse and daring tastes of our audience.

"I want to thank all the programmers who worked with me on putting this programme together, and I look forward to sharing it with audiences in June."

The event runs from 18-29 June.

Thanks to `Max-Zorin` for the alert.