Scottish Blog

The Edinburgh International Film Festival is the longest continually running film festival in the world.

The Edinburgh International Film Festival began in 1947, since then it has run continually to this day and the indefinite future, making it the longest continual running film festival in the world today. In its early days, the Edinburgh International Film Festival was only accompanied by the Cannes and Venice film festivals, making it one of the most prestigious film festivals in the present day.

The Edinburgh International Film Festival was started by the Edinburgh Film Guild, which is coincidently the oldest continually running film society in the world. Since then it has staged sixty one film festivals throughout which they have refined their procedures.
Presently, there are three awards given out at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. The Grand Jury of the festival decided upon and awards the "The Michael Powell Award for Best New British Feature Film". The audience of the film festival is able to vote for the winner of the "The Michael Powell Award for Best New British Feature Film". Lastly, a select panel of judges decides upon the winner of the "Skillset New Directors Award". There are also a number of smaller awards given to short films and animations, but these do not generally feature as highlights of the show program.

The Edinburgh International Film Festival is divided into a number of film categories. Gala, which consists of films with either famous actors or directors in their production. British Gala, which is similar to Gala only with British personalities. Rosebud features films from only first or second time directors. Directors' Showcase are critical films from important directors. Night Moves contains horror or thriller themed films, which originate from countries where it would be difficult to showcase the movie in mainstream methods. Document plays documentaries. Retrospective, relatively unknown films from important directors. Black Box features abstract films. Mirrorball is the music categories, playing music videos and musical documentaries. The last categories is In-Person which features interviews with prominent film industry figures.