Edinburgh International Film Festival opens its 79th edition on 13 August, presenting 38 new feature films including 21 world premieres and a 30th-anniversary celebration of “Trainspotting”. The programme signals growing momentum after a recent overhaul, with organisers positioning the festival as a leading UK home for independent cinema while retaining a strong Scottish identity.

The festival runs until 19 August under CEO and festival director Paul Ridd and producer Emma Boa, marking their third edition since the relaunch began in 2024. Opening film “The Incomer”, directed by Louis Paxton and starring Domhnall Gleeson and Gayle Rankin, is set on a remote Scottish island; the closing film is Louise Lockwood’s documentary “Bel”, about Glasgow artist Beldina Odenyo. Other announced premieres include Abdolreza Kahani’s “Empty Heaven”, William Scoular’s “Northbound”, Alexis Alexiou’s “Sea of Glass” and Paul Wright’s “Mission”; attendance rose from 12,000 in 2024 to 16,500 in 2025.