Here you'll find a selection of the festivals supported by Screen Scotland and Creative Scotland.
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Africa in Motion (AiM) is an annual African film festival taking place in Scotland, consisting of film screenings and complementary events. Now in its twelfth year, AiM brings the best of African cinema to Scotland—making it possible for Scottish audiences to engage with African stories and industry professionals from the continent. AiM has established itself as a major annual event within the Scottish cultural calendar, whilst also maintaining an international profile as one of the leading African film platforms. The festival caters to a varied and diverse audience from all over Scotland, the UK and further afield.
Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival is Scotland's festival of experimental film and artists' moving image and the flagship event of award-winning Alchemy Film & Arts in Hawick, Scottish Borders, known for the warmth and hospitality with which it is delivered. Alchemy works year-round with communities and artists on a programme of screenings, workshops, residencies, community filmmaking and its international festival, which screens a diverse range of experimental film in a warm, intimate and inclusive setting.
Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) is the longest continually running film festival. With an emphasis upon new talent, discovery and innovation, EIFF’s vibrant programme of films and events combines a commitment to audiences with a strong ongoing stake in the development of the UK and Scottish film industries.
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival (ESFF) is an annual event that has been running since 2014, and is now established as a 'must-go-to' event in October. The festival was originally curated to fill a void in Hispanic film, with the aim to cover a wide range of films for all tastes, from the ‘first-timers’ and ‘foodies’ to the 'film fanatics’ and children. ESFF is passionate about supporting and promoting Hispanic cinema and culture to diverse audiences across Scotland , and now also UK wide, due to having introduced an online festival strand in the past two years.
Edinburgh TV Festival is famous for its provocative, informative and entertaining sessions, all created by seasoned TV producers ensuring they are of the highest quality and relevance. Offering more than 60 keynotes, debates and masterclasses, plus scores of networking opportunities, the festival draws around 2200 professionals from across the globe. Now in its 45th year, the Edinburgh TV Festival maintains a reputation for being the must-attend event in the TV calendar.
French Film Festival was set up in 1992 and screens every November and December with launches in Edinburgh, Glasgow and London’s Cine Lumiere, and with the participation of venues throughout the UK. The festival exists to throw a focus on Francophone cinema in all its diversity and embraces independent cinemas outwith the main cities as well as established art house venues. An engagement with young audiences is pursued through links with universities, colleges and schools, with a range of special screenings and workshops by film professionals. Supporting educational packs are made available to teachers and community groups. Heritage cinema, from classics to documentaries, have a prominent place alongside animation, shorts and films by first- or second-time directors. Guests are encouraged to attend to support their films including actors, directors, writers, and musicians.
Fringe of Colour Films is a multi-award-winning initiative dedicated to supporting Black people and People of Colour at arts festivals in Scotland and beyond. Our online arts festival, Fringe of Colour Films, celebrates the creative work of Black, Asian, Indigenous and Latine people in Scotland and around the world, through an online streaming service, publishing platform and podcast series.
Glasgow Film Festival (GFF) is an one of the UK's leading film festivals. With audience central to GFF's programming and ethos, their aim is to enable audiences to experience the best international cinema. The GFF programme regularly features: new local and international film from all genres; mainstream crowd-pleasers to groundbreaking art-house experimentation; the return of well-loved classics alongside rare cult gems; with filmmaker guest appearances, interactive workshops and discussion panels to complete the mix.
Hebrides International Film Festival (HIFF) runs across venues in Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra including the award winning An Lanntair Arts Centre with pop up cinemas in Stornoway town centre and in Uist. The theme for HIFF's annual film festival is Islands, Environments and remote communities. HIFF screens international feature documentaries and dramas which link to this theme. Over the last three years HIFF have expanded their programming, bringing in international film makers to deliver masterclasses to local and visiting film makers. The festival is committed to encouraging and nurturing cinematic quality film to be made on the Islands of the Outer Hebrides.
Scotland Loves Animation (SLA) is a film festival established to promote animation as art. SLA runs film festivals, workshops, exhibitions, graduate showcases, and all sorts of other events in Scotland to bring animated films to all ages and tastes. As a charity, all events are entirely non-profit: every penny from ticket sales goes into bringing bigger, better events to audiences.
Take One Action is a film festival that takes place over 12 days, exhibiting some of the most acclaimed international cinema about global social change. Harnessing the transformative power of film, Take One Action's programme is brimming with stories of individuals and communities whose very resilience, tenacity and hope are radical acts of defiance. With concepts of truth and democracy stretched beyond recognition, with the rise of nationalist parties and independent journalism under threat, Take One Action's screenings and events offer a welcome opportunity to celebrate our common humanity and our ability – individual and collective – to bring about a kinder, fairer, more sustainable world.