(Image: Kat Gollock)
The Edinburgh International Film Festival(EIFF) will return for its 80th year next summer, its organisers have announced.
The much-loved celebration of cinema will be held at venues across the capital between August 12 and August 18, 2027.
Organisers say the 80th edition will build on the success of this summer’s festival, which saw thousands of people enjoy a varied programme of Scottish and international cinema, with 60 per cent of films being world premieres.
EIFF will mark the milestone alongside the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival, who are also celebrating eight decades of cultural life in the capital.
An anniversary screening of Trainspotting at Leith Theatre was a highlight of this year's festival. (Image: Park Circus/Film 4)
Paul Ridd, CEO and festival director of EIFF, said: “We are beyond excited to celebrate our fourth edition as the revamped and revitalised Festival in August next year, as well as 80 years of EIFF.
“This is a major milestone in the story of our historic festival, and we intend to do this anniversary justice with an exciting range of films, events and unforgettable moments in our beautiful city.
"World premieres remain a huge priority for us, as do our competitions, as we bring fresh and exciting films to audiences, industry and press."
Following serious financial difficulties that led to the collapse of the festival’s then-parent charity Centre for the Moving Image in 2022, Screen Scotland helped to facilitate the establishment of a new company to manage the week-long event.
Under the direction of Mr Ridd and festival producer Emma Boa, the festival has gone from strength to strength, attracting 16,500 visitors in 2025, followed by a 35 per cent increase in admissions this year.
Submissions to the festival compete for the Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence and the Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking Excellence.
Both prizes are decided by audience vote.
Last month, Sir Sean's family announced plans to open a permanent filmmaking centre in the capital, which will play a key role in future iterations of EIFF.
Sir Sean's son Jason told The Herald: “I remember coming to Edinburgh with my dad when the film festival was on.
“He just loved going to events and seeing the creativity of all these young filmmakers. The fact that they were Scottish and many of them came from his home town meant so much to him."
Sir Sean Connery. (Image: PA)
Supporting the working of up-and-coming filmmakers is a central part of EIFF's modus operandi, Mr Ridd said.
“We are committed to engaging with the next generation of talent as well as established voices, providing a curated and commercial platform for work to be celebrated and found,” the chief executive remarked.
“Over the coming months we will be opening up submissions, and continuing our close dialogue with the film and screen industries, building on the successes of our 2026 edition to continue to make EIFF a place where the future of filmmaking is not simply discussed, but actively shaped.
"Bring it on."
Speaking to The Herald earlier this summer, Mr Ridd insisted that the capital's cultural bona fides remain intact despite the departure of the long-running Edinburgh TV Festival.
Read more:
- Comedy set on remote Scottish island to open Edinburgh International Film Festival
- Sir Sean Connery's family reveals plans for permanent filmmaking hub in Edinburgh
- Edinburgh film festival chief insists city will not suffer from loss of TV summit
“The TV Festival emerged out of our festival all those decades ago," he said in June.
"We have been at pains over the last couple of years to try and find ways to work together.
"But in terms of Edinburgh, I cannot think of a more exciting place for the media industries to engage with new talent and new voices, whether that is at the Fringe or at our festival. That is not going to change."