Edinburgh Film Festival 2015 to close with Scott Graham's Iona
Edinburgh International Film Festival has announced that its 69th edition will come to a close with the world premiere of Scott Graham’s second feature film, Iona.
Described as “part coming-of-age story and part returning-home drama”, the film – starring Ruth Negga of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D – centres on the title character who returns to her birthplace, the Hebridean island after which she takes her name, as an adult to escape a violent crime in Glasgow.
Graham’s films have appeared in earlier EIFF programmes: his 2007 short Shell – which he extended to feature-length in 2012 to great effect – had its world premiere at EIFF, and his second short, Native Son, screened at the 2010 edition.
“I discovered many films and filmmakers at the Edinburgh International Film Festival,” said Graham. “Edinburgh was my home all through my 20s and it was in venues like Filmhouse and the Cameo where I learned the value of the stories we tell and the emotions we share. I'm thrilled Iona will have its premiere here and doubly thrilled it will close the festival. What an honour.”
As was previously announced, Iona is joined in this year’s programme by opening film The Legend of Barney Thomson, a Glasgow-set black comedy, and the directorial debut from Scottish actor Robert Carlyle.
EIFF has been criticised in recent years, particularly in the Scottish press, for being unable to secure highly-anticipated Scottish-made films and films by significant Scottish filmmakers. Announcing the appointment of critic Mark Adams as new EIFF artistic director back in December, Brian Ferguson of the Scotsman said: “The EIFF has missed out on a number of major Scottish films in recent years, including Filth, Sunshine on Leith, Under the Skin and What We Did on Our Holiday.”
It was suggested the festival’s June slot might be a contributing factor. “A key question for the new artistic director,” said the paper, “is whether the event should stay in its June slot, when it is the only major event on in Edinburgh, or move back to August.”
The choice of Scottish films as bookends to the festival is perhaps a response to this criticism. Mark Adams hasn’t commented on his selection of two local films for his galas, but with regards Iona, he said: "We are thrilled to be closing this year's festival with Scott Graham's lovely, moving and enthralling Iona. He is a striking cinematic talent and the film will wrap this year's festival in the perfect way."
EIFF 2015 opens with The Legend of Barney Thomson on Wed 17 June, and Iona closes the festival on Sun 28 June – both gala screenings are at the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh. The full EIFF programme will be announced 27 May. Follow The Skinny’s coverage of the festival at theskinny.co.uk/film
Public tickets for our 2015 Closing Night Gala, the world premiere of Iona, will be available from Wed 13 May at 10am pic.twitter.com/xHDrwSEMi1
— Edinburgh Film Fest (@edfilmfest) May 11, 2015