A Film Festival for Edinburgh: Update

Since the closure of the Centre for the Moving Image (CMI), incorporating the Edinburgh Filmhouse, the Belmont Filmhouse in Aberdeen and the Edinburgh International Film Festival, Screen Scotland has been in discussions with the Administrators and other partners to explore options for cultural cinema programme activity in both Edinburgh and Aberdeen, as well as the possibility of a 2023 edition of Edinburgh’s film festival.

These discussions are ongoing and we can now provide an update on progress as regards Edinburgh’s film festival.

Screen Scotland has purchased the Edinburgh International Film Festival’s IP (intellectual property) from CMI’s administrators, FRP Advisory, including domain name and brand assets, to be provided as appropriate to a future operator of the festival.

An options appraisal is also underway for a film festival in Edinburgh in 2023. This appraisal is being led by Kristy Matheson, who was Creative Director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival in 2022, alongside colleagues. They will be supported by the Edinburgh International Festival, who have also provided the team with office space at the Hub, in Edinburgh.

The work will be funded with an award of up to £97,647 from Creative Scotland. This funding is drawn from the 2022/23 Regular Funding Awards originally allocated to the CMI.

It is anticipated that the options appraisal will be completed by the end January 2023, and further announcements will be made, as appropriate, after that time.


More information

About Edinburgh International Festival  

Every August, the International Festival brings world-class music, opera, dance and theatre performances to Edinburgh.  

Created in 1947 following WWII, the Festival inspired artists and audiences to heal through international cultural collaboration. This year the International Festival celebrated 75 years of bringing world cultures together and in 2023 will take place from 4-27 August. 

Year-round the Edinburgh International Festival connects with local communities through education projects, access programmes, and initiatives that introduce new audiences to live performance. 

Screen Scotland

Screen Scotland  is the national body that drives development of all aspects of Scotland’s film and TV industry, through funding and strategic support. Screen Scotland is part of Creative Scotland and delivers these services and support with funding from Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Find out more at screen.scot and follow us on Twitter and Instagram. 

Media Contact:

Eilidh Walker 
Media Relations and PR Officer- Screen 
M: 00 44 (0)7545 402 064 
[email protected]