Running throughout the Festival, the industry programme presents an impactful series of industry talks, sessions and networking opportunities for local and international creatives to engage with industry experts from around the world, including the EIFF In Conversation strand.
The industry programme will take place at the Festival Hub at Central Hall, each day of the Festival.
Speakers include Christine Vachon, Ewan McGregor, Kenneth Branagh, Bruce Dern, Ken Burns, Prano Bailey-Bond, Jay Parini, Marc Turtletaub, Max Minghella, Sarah Brocklehurst, Miriam Battye and Paul Sng.
Friday 14 August
The day begins with an EIFF Industry Networking Brunch in partnership with Women in Film and Television. This will be followed by an EIFF Industry Talk with legendary independent film producer Christine Vachon hosted by journalist, moderator and film festival consultant Wendy Mitchell. Continuing the day, a titan of documentary filmmaking, Ken Burns will take part in an on-stage EIFF In Conversation hosted by journalist Dave Calhoun.
The afternoon continues with an EIFF In Conversation event, in partnership with BAFTA Scotland, with Golden Globe and Emmy award-winning Scottish actor Ewan McGregor followed by EIFF Industry Networking Drinks in partnership with BAFTA Scotland.
In the evening an EIFF Industry Talk The Business of Film Roadshow will see leading industry experts sharing exclusive insights about the business side of the sector hosted by Mia Bays, Director of BFI Filmmaking Fund and featuring guests from film financier Head Gear, top film law firm Lee & Thompson and pitching gurus SMASH.
Saturday 15 August
The day begins with an EIFF Industry Networking Brunch in partnership with British Film Institute. The UK Film Conference begins with a keynote from BFI CEO Ben Roberts In Conversation with Clare Binns who will engage with the future of independent film in the UK.
The UK Film Conference continues with Low Budget, High Ambition, an essential session focusing on low- budget filmmaking and how UK producers are adapting to an ever-changing landscape.
Next up, EIFF Industry talk Would This Get Made? will be lively, irreverent session about the modern film climate, welcoming industry professionals from major parts of the development, production and distribution pipeline to ask what their approach would be if a range of projects from the past came across their desks in 2026. Speakers include producer Christine Vachon, Stefanie Fahrion (Film4), Alice Ojha (BBC Film), Laura Wilson (Altitude) and Simon Renshaw (Casarotto). The session will be hosted by Wendy Mitchell.
EIFF Industry Talk New Nightmares brings the UK Film Conference to a close with speakers discussing the current state of genre work embracing its moment. Speakers include actor and filmmaker Max Minghella (The Handmaid’s Tale, Clayface) and filmmakers Prano Bailey- Bond (Censor), Chee Keong Cheung (Bad Day at the Office) and Joby Stephens (Abandoned). Hosted by horror content creator Chris Mayo (Big Fat Cult).
Sunday 16 August
The day begins with an EIFF Industry Networking Brunch in partnership with Film4 and continues with an EIFF In Conversation with celebrated British actor and filmmaker, and recipient of the inaugural EIFF Outstanding Contribution to Cinema Award, Kenneth Branagh.
This will be followed by EIFF Industry Talk Beyond the Debut with BIFA Springboard. Running annually since 2020, BIFA Springboard is a pioneering programme designed to support writers, directors and producers to develop their careers after producing a first feature. The panel of BIFA Springboard alumni will discuss their journeys from first to second film. The day concludes with an EIFF Industry Networking Drinks in partnership with Screen Academy Scotland.
Monday 17 August
The day begins with EIFF Industry Networking Brunch in partnership with the ScreenSkills Film Skills Fund. This is followed by EIFF Industry Talk From Page to Screen, a session which brings together authors, screenwriters, producers and directors from EIFF official selection films Extra Geography and Borges and Me, to discuss the creative processes behind literary adaptation and screenwriting. Speakers include Sarah Brocklehurst and Miriam Battye (Extra Geography), Jay Parini and Marc Turtletaub (Borges and Me). Hosted by film writer and academic Dr Pasquale Iannone.
The day continues with an EIFF In Conversation event with one of the most accomplished and versatile actors of his generation, Bruce Dern, hosted by Variety Chief Film Critic Guy Lodge.
Tuesday 18 August
The day begins with EIFF Industry Networking Brunch in partnership with Park Circus. The day continues with EIFF Industry Talk Lights, Camera, Capital with Screen Scotland taking us behind the scenes of Equity Funding in filmmaking in a talk led by Screen Scotland joined by angel investor Lynne Cadenhead and will delve into the world of Angel Investors.
There will be EIFF Industry Networking Drinks followed by EIFF Industry Talk Unmaking the Colonial Gaze in Cinema with Edinburgh-based, bi-racial British Chinese filmmaker Paul Sng, director of last year’s EIFF closer Reality is not Enough, presenting an innovative session that will discuss the generational impacts of colonialism on the moving image.
EIFF CEO and Festival Director, Paul Ridd has said: “We could not be prouder of this year's Industry Programme at EIFF which offers up a diverse and starry range of guests, talks, lively discussions and networking opportunities for Scottish, UK and international folk looking to make connections and hear from some leading experts in their fields, all more accessible than ever before. Our inaugural UK Film Conference is something of the jewel in our crown, but there are so many more must-attend events elsewhere in the programme, all encompassing our fundamental mission to be the home of independent cinema in the UK.”
Industry Accreditation is priced at £150 (excluding VAT), and £135 (excluding VAT) concessions available to current students across any discipline (aged 18+) and people who may be in receipt of benefits. For more details and to apply, please visit the EIFF website.
This year’s EIFF runs from 13 – 19 August 2026 and opens with the International Premiere of Edinburgh-born filmmaker Louis Paxton’s debut feature The Incomer and closes with Louise Lockwood’s powerful debut documentary feature Bel.
EIFF’s invigorated vision under leadership from CEO & Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa continues to accelerate the discovery of new film talent and engage with audiences, industry members and local, national and international media.
EIFF 2026 is supported by Screen Scotland and the BFI National Lottery Audience Projects Fund. The industry programme is also supported by EXPO funding from the Scottish Government through Creative Scotland and Screen Scotland.