Edinburgh International Film Festival announces new EIFF Honorary Patrons and 2015 Audience Award Winner

Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) this evening announced two new Honorary Patrons of the Festival. Scottish actor James Cosmo and director/actor Karen Gillan have accepted the role of EIFF Honorary Patrons as the Festival heads into its 70th anniversary year. Karen Gillan and James Cosmo will be joining other EIFF Honorary Patrons Tilda Swinton, Robert Carlyle, Seamus McGarvey and Mark Cousins.

The 69th edition of EIFF drew to a close with the World Premiere of Scott Graham’s IONA, and leading lady Ruth Negga was joined by fellow cast members in attendance on the red carpet.

EIFF Artistic Director Mark Adams said “We are thrilled to add two Scottish luminaries to our illustrious troop of EIFF Honorary Patrons. James Cosmo is a powerhouse of acting fortitude, acknowledged this year by the Michael Powell Jury, and Karen Gillan is not only a star onscreen - her directorial debut at EIFF has shown her talents also extend behind the camera. Karen is unable to join us this evening as she’s on a long-haul flight, and James has been backwards and forwards to the Festival so many times with his two films and the Awards Ceremony, he needed a night off! But they are both with us in spirit, and we’re delighted to know they’re flying the EIFF flag worldwide for us.”

EIFF Honorary Patron James Cosmo said “It’s a real honour, and a genuine privilege to serve as Honorary Patron for the Edinburgh International Film Festival. As a Scots born actor, EIFF has always held a place in my heart and I look forward to working with the other honorary patrons and all the staff there as the Festival moves into its 70th edition in June 2016.”

New EIFF Honorary Patron Karen Gillan added “I am so thrilled to become a Patron of Edinburgh International Film Festival. I moved to Edinburgh, from Inverness, when I was sixteen to study acting. I developed such a creative connection with the city. So to come back and celebrate Scottish and international filmmaking is an honour.”

The recipient of the Festival’s highly sought after Audience Award was also announced during the Closing Gala speeches at Festival Theatre Edinburgh. Voted for by the public across 14 films screening at the 12 day Festival, the 2015 Audience Award went to BIG GOLD DREAM: SCOTTISH POST-PUNK AND INFILTRATING THE MAINSTREAM, directed by Grant McPhee.

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The Edinburgh International Film Festival 17 - 28 June 2015

About Edinburgh International Film Festival
Established in 1947, Edinburgh International Film Festival is renowned around the world for discovering and promoting the very best in international cinema - and for heralding and debating changes in global filmmaking. Intimate in its scale, ambitious in its scope, and fuelled by pure passion for cinema in all its manifestations, EIFF seeks to spotlight the most exciting and innovative new film talent, in a setting steeped in history.

Notable films premiered in recent years have included: A MOST WANTED MAN, COLD IN JULY, FRANCES HA, WE STEAL SECRETS: THE STORY OF WIKILEAKS, THE IMPOSTER, BRAVE, TABU, THE HURT LOCKER, MOON, FISH TANK, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, MAN ON WIRE, CONTROL, KNOCKED UP, RATATOUILLE, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, TSOTSI and BILLY ELLIOT.

EIFF is supported by Creative Scotland, the BFI, the Scottish Government through the Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund, the City of Edinburgh Council, and EventScotland.

The Centre for the Moving Image (CMI) was founded in 2010 with a mission to be at the forefront of the development of film and the moving image in Scotland. The CMI currently comprises EIFF, Filmhouse in Edinburgh and the Belmont Filmhouse in Aberdeen.

The Edinburgh International Film Festival Limited is a company registered in Scotland No: SC132453. It is a subsidiary of the Centre for the Moving Image (CMI) which is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status with Scottish Charity No. SC006793.

About Creative Scotland
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. We enable people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life. We distribute funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery. For further information about Creative Scotland online. Follow us @creativescots and Facebook.