Edinburgh Spotlight loves living in ‘Festival City’ and already has all these dates in its calendar – here’s the rundown of 2012′s festivals.

Mary King’s Ghost Fest TBC for 2012

Paranormal investigations, celebrity ghost hunts and other spooky goings on at The Real Mary King’s Close.

Ceilidh Culture 16 March – 25 April

Edinburgh’s traditional arts festival, featuring music, dance, storytelling and more.

International Science Festival 31 March- 13 April 2012
The International Science Festival features a host of fun and educational events, lectures and attractions celebrating all things scientific.

Beltane Fire Festival 30 April 2012
Beltane is an ancient Celtic festival and Edinburgh plays host to some colourful and exciting celebrations to mark the date.

Imaginate Festival 7 – 14 May 2012
The Imaginate Festival is Edinburgh’s children’s festival and has loads of plays, activities and fun things to do for youngsters of all ages.

Leith Festival 8 -17 June 2012
Come and celebrate all things Leith at this festival, featuring music, dance, art and other exciting events.

Edinburgh International Film Festival 20 June – 1 July
The Edinburgh Film Festival is an internationally-renowned event on the movie festival circuit and attracts premieres and stars from all over the world.

Edinburgh International Magic Festival 29 June – 6 July 2012

2012 will see Edinburgh host the third International Magic Festival with a range of performers show-casing their magical talents.

Edinburgh Art Festival August 2 – September 2
Edinburgh Art Festival celebrates the visual arts in all its diversity, from world-class exhibitions to strikingly original installations.

Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival 28 July – 6 August 2012
Get your gladrags on and party to the sounds of the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, a popular event which attracts international talent.

Edinburgh Fringe Festival 3 - 27 August 2012
Getting bigger, better and – some may say – weirder every year, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is the highlight of many a festival-goer’s calendar.

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 3 – 25 August 2012
Selling out months in advance, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a spectacular event taking place on the Castle Esplanade.

The Edge Music Festival TBC 2012
Adding alternative music to the August festival mix, The Edge Music Festival attracts A-list bands as part of its programme.

Festival of Spirituality and Peace TBC 2012

The Festival of Spirituality and Peace features music, dance, talks and other events highlighting humanitarian issues and causes.

Edinburgh International Festival 10 August – 2 September 2012
The one that started it all, the Edinburgh International Festival is a feast of world-class music, dance and theatrical performances.

Edinburgh International Book Festival 11 - 27 August 2012
This literary event attracts major names in the writing, publishing and political fields to the serene Charlotte Square Gardens setting.

Edinburgh Mela Festival 31 August  - 2nd September 2012

Celebrating the cultural diversity of the city, the Mela Festival brings colour and exotic flair to Edinburgh in August.

Scottish Story Telling Festival 19-28 October
Celebrating the great Scottish oral tradition, the Story Telling Festival showcases the talents of national bards, poets and tale-spinners.

Edinburgh’s Christmas TBC – late November – End Dec 2011
Edinburgh sparkles at Christmas and features events, attractions and shows for all the family to enjoy during the festival season.

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 30 December 2012 – 2 January 2013
End the year with the biggest street party in the world!

By Shell and Sirin Bryson

It has been a few days since the curtains closed on another epic Film Festival in Edinburgh with the UK premier of Lion King 3D.

From the outset, we knew this festival would be a little different than previous years, with the de-emphasis of ‘red carpet’ events in favour of something more intimate. The results were mixed. Certainly the range of films was intriguing, and in some cases inspiring, and the Filmhouse and Cameo cinemas were great hosts as ever. The other venues, perhaps a little less so, with George Square Theatre and Festival Theatre really bottom-numbingly unsuitable for prolonged movie watching. While the festival lacked the spectacle and sparkle of previous years, it did have a smattering of celebs: Kim Cattrall, Ewan McGregor and Bill Nigh to name a few.

The spread of film-related events offered and interesting new aspect to the film festival which we really enjoyed. There were opportunities to see how films are pitched, scripted and funded, as well as many informal interviews with directors at the Festivalhouse @ Teviot venue. These were great, and the choice of Teviot House as a venue provided plenty of room for cinephiles and movie folks to mingle. Perhaps it suffered a little from being so far from the actual film venues, a good 20 minutes walk, as what could have been a place to hang out between films really wasn’t practical.

Of course, the most important component of a film festival the the actual films. Despite a large reduction in number on offer this year, we were really very pleasantly surprise. Over the two weeks we saw 35 films from all over the world – From Israel to Iceland, and only on a few occasions were we disappointed. Indeed, it wasn’t the headline films that worked best for us. While ‘The Guard’, ‘Perfect Sense’ and ‘Page Eight’ were great films with fantastic cast, it was actually the smaller international films that worked really well.

Stand out films for us this year start with the wonderful, witty British Comedy/Drama ‘Albatross’ with a mesmerising performance from Jessica Brown Findlay. Japanese anime from Studio Ghibli rarely disappoints, and their latest magical outing with ‘The Borrower Arrietty’ was just beautiful. Troll Hunter, a Norwegian modern-day-fable came from left-field and was just brilliant fun. Staying with Norway, we also had the striking ‘King of Devil’s Island’ – a stark drama based on a true story. French drama ‘Tomboy’ was perfectly pitched, and the heart-warming comedy ‘Almanya – Welcome to Germany’ was wonderfully observational. For something utterly different, the shocking and darkly hilarious ‘The Last Circus’ was a definite highlight. Documentary fans were also well served this year, with what is likely to be award-winning ‘Project Nim’ and the bizarre kinetic animatronics in Jarred Altermans’ ‘Convento’.

Did we enjoy EIFF 2011? Absolutely. Did it work? Mostly. While the change in focus may need some tweaks, an adjustment in balance between red-carpet and indie, EIFF remains a top film festival in a beautiful city and any self-respecting cinephile should definitely put EIFF 2012 on the calendar.

© 2011 Disney

Lion King 3D has its UK premiere in Edinburgh on Saturday 25th June 2011

Disney is celebrating the UK premiere of its epic masterpiece, The Lion King, in dazzling Disney Digital 3D, at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on 25th June by staging a very special performance of ‘The Circle of Life’ from London’s award winning stage production The Lion King.  There will also be some Disney fun to kick off the day as the lion cubs will be treated to face painting, Disney’s Streetmosphere performers, competitions and more!

This not to be missed event for the whole family will culminate with the first screening of the Pride of Disney, The Lion King, at the  Edinburgh Festival Theatre on Saturday 25 June at 1.15pm; tickets for this spectacular event are on sale now at www.edfilmfest.org.uk or via the box office on 0131 228 2688.

Around the world The Lion King stage production has been seen by over 55 million people, has performed in 14 countries and been translated into 7 different languages.  Now in its 12th year at London’s Lyceum’s theatre, the show remains one of the West End’s most popular musicals.  Actress Browne Lindiwe Mkhize, who plays baboon ‘Rafiki’, will give a very special solo performance of ‘Circle of Life’, the song that, as well as being the first song in the film and show, embodies the central themes of enduring family and friendship.

For the first time, the jewel in Disney’s animated crown has been brought to life like never before and will debut to a new generation of fans, in dazzling 3D, at Edinburgh’s beautiful Festival Theatre, allowing the audience to enjoy this critically acclaimed and universally beloved classic like never before, ahead of its general release on 14th October.

An unforgettable story, breathtaking animation, beloved characters and award-winning music set the stage for the adventures of Simba, the feisty lion cub who “just can’t wait to be king.” But his envious Uncle Scar has plans for his own ascent to the throne, and he forces Simba’s exile from the kingdom. Alone and adrift, Simba soon joins the escapades of a hilarious meerkat named Timon and his warm-hearted warthog pal, Pumbaa. Adopting their carefree lifestyle of “Hakuna Matata,” Simba ignores his real responsibilities until he realises his destiny and returns to the Pride Lands to claim his place in the “Circle of Life.”

© 2011 Disney

Competition

We have 3 pairs of tickets to give away to Saturday’s premiere by answering an easy question:

What date is the Lion King 3D generally released in the UK?

This competition closes at 12 noon on Thursday 23rd June 2011.

Email your answer to competitions@edinburghspotlight.com and we will notify you soon after the closing date via email if you win tickets. Entries via our facebook page or twitter stream will not be accepted.

Terms & Conditions

This promotion is open to UK residents. Employees of the Walt Disney Company (WDC) DDA PR, the EIFF & their families, agents or anyone connected with this promotion are excluded.

There is no cash or other alternative to the prize stated and the prize is not transferable and no part or parts of the prize may be substituted for other benefits, items or additions.

The prize is a pair of tickets

The screening takes place at the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh on Saturday 25th June 2011. Winners will be picked at random and contacted by Edinburgh Spotlight.

The Editor’s decision is final and binding on the entrants. No correspondence will be entered into.

Edinburgh International Film Festival well underway

Our Film Festival reviewers Shell and Sirin Bryson have had a busy start to the festival and continue to keep their Edinburgh International Film Festival diary for us. You can read all their film related news and reviews their End Titles website and follow their live updates and film tips on twitter.

Here’s their top 5 picks of the EIFF so far:

Since Edinburgh International Film Festival opened on Wednesday, we’ve been pleasantly surprised with the range of films. So far there have been a handful of gems, not to mention some truly outstanding performances (Jessica Brown Findlay in Albatross, and the entire cast of Tomboy) - and one really naff film -cough- Rabies. There promises to be a lot more, with high profile films such as Page Eight and Perfect Sense, but here’s what we reckon are the best so far -

• The Borrower Arrietty - screening June 20th preview here.
• Albatross - screening June 19th & 21st.
• Tomboy – screening June 21st – preview here.
• The Guard – gala only – review here.
• Our Day Will Come – screening June 20th – preview here.

If you’ve missed out on tickets for any of the above, check them out when they come back after the festival – they’re worth it.

The free film screenings continue in St Andrew Square this weekend.

Lothian Road's Filmhouse

The Edinburgh International Film Festival is underway

The Edinburgh International Film Festival is coming to an end but there’s still a great buzz about town. Our roving reporters Shell and Sirin Bryson are still managing to squeeze in as much as they can.

You can read in depth reviews of the films on their End Titles website and follow their live updates and film tips on twitter.

Just added – top film picks so far

Monday 21st June

A perfect day for sitting in a cinema with awful, wintery weather over the city. We trudge to Cameo for the film of the day: A return trip to norway, this time without the Trolls. King of Devils Island is based on the true story of an brutal uprising at the Bastoy reform school for boys. Stark, breathtaking cinematography and outstanding acting, the film transports you into this brittle, frozen place.

We stay at the Cameo for a film we’ve been really looking forwards to (plus we don’t fancy getting soaked again): Almanya – Welcome to Germany. The story of a Turkish family who emigrate to Germany in the late sixties for work. Warm, funny and often moving, this film follows the family as they journey back to Turkey. Lovely film, highly recommended.

Sunday 19th June

Today was planned to be something a little different – a sci-fi flavour on a rather grey day.

By Day By Night, a startling sci-fi drama from Mexico. Human kind has been divided into those who live by day, and those who live by night. Slow-paced with startlingly beautiful cinematography.

Cliched end-of-the-world type stuff next with The Divide (from “Hitman” director Xavier Gens) seems to have been part-torn from the script of the game “Fallout 3”. As nuclear bombs rain down on New York City, a group of apartment dwellers find themselves trapped in Michael Biehn’s basement. Bloody, violent, predictable, but competently shot, however fairly effective – not for the squeamish.

From the Filmhouse across to Festivalhouse@Teviot. IMDb founder Col Needham is being interviewed by Jonathan Melville. Fascinating stuff – we had no idea that IMDb started in the UK. We can still remember when it was such a tiny web site.

Heading out we checked out the Convento art exhibition at the Teviot and bumped into Convento director Jarred Alterman who suggested we go see the UK premier of his documentary. When the director himself suggests it, how could we say no?

Convento is a documentary / art film shot at a 400 year old restored monastery in rural portugal. Director Alterman beautifully captures the kinetic animatronic robo beasts of Christiaan Zwanikken and his family.

After the the screening we head back to Teviot to take another look at the selection of Christiaans work and drinks with the director. The art is quite fascinating up close, and we highly recommend taking a look.

We spot Bill Nighy outside!

Saturday 18th June

We start the day early to collect tickets for tonights premier of Perfect Sense – one of the big screenings of the festival. Then it’s off to Cameo for a screening of the much hyped Norwegian film Troll Hunter. It doesn’t disappoint. The film is wonderfully fun – a blend of Blair Witch Project and Norwegian folk-tales, this tongue-in-cheek blood-free suspense is very entertaining. Highly recommended!

Next, The Caller. When Mary (played by Rachelle Lefevre of Twilight) moves into her new apartment following a messy break up with her husband, she receives a mysterious phone call… What starts out as a fairly cliched manner manages to twist and turn into an effective modern horror set in steamy Puerto Rican summer.

In the evening, it’s off to plush Festival Theatre for the “Tartan carpet” premier of Perfect Sense. Packed foyer filled with eager fans and press waiting for a glimpse of Ewan McGregor, director and other cast members. Incredible atmosphere if rather bizarre. The film is a sci-fi romance set against a mysterious epidemic that strips the infected of their senses one at a time. Certainly an emotional film which, despite the great performances and solid direction, looses its focus from time to time.

Leaving the theatre a moment of cinephile glee as Ewan McGregor’s car pauses to let us cross the road.

Troll Hunter is screening on June 22^nd & 24^th

The Caller is screening on June 20^th & 22^nd

Perfect Sense is screening June 19^th

Friday 17th June

Thursday 16th June

Another early start and we make a dash for the Filmhouse to catch a 0915 preview of The Borrower Arrietty. We’re huge fans of anime (Japanese animation) from Studio Ghibli (“Spirited Away”, “My Neighbour Totoro”) and we were really looking forwards to this screening. The EIFF programme suggested that this would be the English dub, but we were pleasantly surprised to find this is the original Japanese version with subtitles. The movie is beautiful, heartwarming and sad, some of the very best observational animation there is.

Barely time to walk out of the screen and back, before we move from Japan to South Korea with the film Bleak Night. Perhaps not as bleak as the title suggest, the film unravels the death of a high-school student in a tense, haunted coming of age story.

The Borrower Arrietty is screening on June 18th & 20th, but (unless changed) isn’t the English dub advertising in the EIFF programme.

Bleak Night is screening on June 18th & 19th.

Wednesday 15th June

Another early start, and we find ourselves at the Filmhouse in one of the smaller screens to watch ‘On The Shore’. A story about obsession, love and loneliness, Beau Rivage is set in the beautiful city of Nice. A worn-out cops life begins to unravel after discovering the body of a beautiful woman in a balcony apartment.

Tuesday 14th June

EIFF Preview: The Guard, Phase 7, Tomboy

Glorious weather as the press screenings kick off across Edinburgh today with a preview for what is in store at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

First a chance to look at the opening gala film at the Filmhouse, “The Guard”, staring Brendan Gleeson and Don Cheadle. This black comedy has wonderful dialogue from the start – that is if you’re not easily offended.

Following this, it’s a dash up to the Cameo Cinema for something completely different. “Phase 7”, a post-apocalyptic genre film from Argentina. Interesting film – think “Rec”-lite.

After lunch in the suntrap of Festival Square, then it’s back to Cameo for “Tomboy”. A wonderful child cast in this beautifully shot preteen drama. This is our pick of the day.

The Guard is gala screening on June 15^th

Phase 7 is screening on June 16^th & 17^th

Tomboy is screening on June 16^th & 21^st

The Filmhouse

Rough Guide to the EIFF venues

On the edge of Bristo Square, Teviot House (dubbed ‘Festivalhouse@Teviot’ for EIFF) is the new heart of the Film Festival. Throughout the festival you can find many events here, with a public lounge upstairs and the press office buried in the basement. George Square Theatre and Edinburgh Festival Theatre are just a short walk. If you’re feeling peckish while you’re in the area, Koi (Japanese) is worth checking out.

A leisurely 20 minute walk will take you from Festivalhouse@Teviot to the Cameo and Filmhouse cinemas. If you’re visiting Edinburgh for the first time a detour through Grassmarket offers some alternative views of the imposing castle ramparts, as well as a plethora of places to eat and drink.

The Filmhouse and Cameo both have bars serving snacks (and full hot meals at the Filmhouse) but if you fancy some fresh air, nearby there are plenty of places discover between screenings, such as an IllegalJacks burrito on Lothian Road or a lovely cuppa at Tea Tree Tea on Bread Street (both have fast reliable wifi).  5 minutes walk from the Filmhouse and you are at the West End of Princes Street.

At the East end of Princes Street, St Andrew Square plays host to a series of free outdoor movies fit for family viewing throughout the day (16th-19^th June).

St Andrew Square

Free movies in St Andrew Square as part of the Film Festival

The Edinburgh International Film Festival has teamed up with Essential Edinburgh and will  St Andrew Square to bring you ‘Under the Stars’, a free outdoor cinema with hand-picked films.  The screenings run from Thursday 16th June until Sunday 19th June 2011.

You can read all of our 2011 Film Festival coverage here and in more detail over on End Titles.

There’s a film suitable for all the family in the programme which is as follows:

Thursday 16th June

1800 – 2030  The Da Vinci Code

2050 – 2245  Raiders of the Lost Ark

Friday 17th June

1230 – 1400  Robots

1420 – 1600  Babe

1630 – 1800  Shrek

1825 – 2015  Grease

2040 – 2230  School of Rock

Saturday 18th June

1230 – 1400  Babe

1415 – 1635  Mary Poppins

1655 – 1825  Shrek

1845 – 2035  Mamma Mia

2100 – 2250  Grease

Sunday 19th June

1230 – 1400  Shrek

1420 – 1620  Some Like It Hot

1640 – 1810  Robots

1830 – 2020  School of Rock

2045 – 2240  Raiders of the Lost Ark

Grab a picnic, pray for dry weather and enjoy these free screenings of some classic films.  Under 16′s must be accompanied by an adult and alcohol is not allowed into the event area as you can buy alcohol on-site.

St Andrew Square

A few days before the opening of the Edinburgh International Film Festival-proper next week you can catch two films for free this weekend on the super-sized outdoor screen in the Festival Square next door to the Filmhouse Cinema.

BBC Bigscreen have couple of 80′s classics on show, with the original TRON on Saturday the 11^th (and again on Monday 13^th), followed by E.T. On Sunday the 12^th (with another showing on Tuesday 14^th). All films are on from 7pm.

Seats for 200 are being provided on a first come first served basis, and our fingers are crossed for good weather!

The Edinburgh International Film Festival opens next week and runs from 15^th – 26^th of June and tickets are available now.

Free Films at Festival Square

2011 EIFF

The 65th Edinburgh International Film Festival programme launches

As part of the Edinburgh Internationl Film Festival, Tilda Swinton encouraged the residents of Edinburgh to join her in a jig in Festival Square this morning.  Ms Swinton and Mark Cousin lead a “flash mob” in a rendition of a classic Laurel and Hardy comedy dance routine.  She enjoyed it so much, that she immediately clapped her hands to encourage everyone to dance for a second time.  There were people aged from 8 to 80 that joined in and it was to mark the launch of a new foundation to encourage youngsters to broaden their taste in movies – called 8 1/2.  More details at http://eightandahalf.org/

Preparing to start the dance

Tilda Swinton dancing in Edinburgh

Tilda's kilt in full swing

Finishing the dance