Alex Garland To Headline Industry Programme

Civil War filmmaker Alex Garland and Trainspotting producer Andrew Macdonald will deliver keynote speeches as part of the industry program at this year’s Edinburgh Film Festival.

Garland and Macdonald will deliver their keynote on August 18 at the Tollcross Central Hall after a networking brunch hosted by the festival at the city’s Summerhall Library Gallery. Macdonald, best known as the producer of titles like Trainspotting, A Life Less Ordinaryand The Beachis also the chair of the Edinburgh Film Festival.

The Scottish festival’s industry schedule will also feature an onstage in conversation session with filmmaker Gaspar Noe on August 17, where Noe will discuss his work and career. Other headline industry sessions include Scrapper To Screena case study talk on the development and distribution of the hit 2023 feature Scrapper. The session will be moderated by Melanie Iredale (Reclaim the Frame) with panelists including the film’s director Charlotte Regan, Eva Yates (Director of BBC Film), and Julia Trawinska (Acquisitions Manager at Picturehouse Entertainment).

Elsewhere, the festival will mount a panel titled Stand Up To The Screen centered around filmmakers who have transitioned from live performance and TV to filmmaking along with Fringe producers and creatives interested in screen work. The event will be moderated by Rowan Woods (Edinburgh TV Festival) with panelists Alex Walton (WME), Afolabi Kuti (Producer), and filmmakers from the program selection.

On the penultimate industry day, BAFTA Scotland will host an event to celebrate the career of film producer, curator, writer, and former Director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival Lynda Myles. She will be presented with the BAFTA Scotland Outstanding Contribution to Film Award.

“I am so thrilled that we have attracted such a wealth of global talent to our Festival, not only within our Film Program, but also as guests and delegates for our Industry Program,” EIFF head Paul Ridd said of today’s announcement.

“Across three intensive days of panels, career talks, networking sessions and parties, global and local film talent will mix, sparking conversations between professionals either just starting out in film and the performing arts or seasoned folk ready to share their knowledge and experience. To have a filmmaker as globally renowned and truly visionary as Alex Garland speaking with us as our keynote speaker truly encapsulates that vision. Bring it on.”

Edinburgh International Film Festival runs from Thursday 15 to Wednesday 21 August 2024.