University Of Edinburgh takes a leading role at Film Festival
Old College Quad will become the home of Cinema Under the Stars during the festival’s opening weekend on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 August.
Film goers can enjoy a range of international and independent films with highlights including this year’s Oscar Best Picture winner, Everything Everywhere All at Once.
The programme will also feature Safety Last! – a classic from the silent film era – accompanied by live music from acclaimed Scottish silent film pianist Mike Nolan.
Screenings are under the Pay What You Can pricing scheme, with tickets starting at £2.
Inspirational figure
Other highlights include the screening of Edinburgh academic Susan Kemp’s work-in-progress documentary about an inspirational figure in Scottish cinema culture, Lynda Myles.
Having reinvigorated the University of Edinburgh’s Film Society as a philosophy student, Lynda Myles went on to spend her life in cinema, as a film festival director, producer and champion of innovation.
The screening coincides with the launch of the Lynda Myles Project – ‘a wildly celebratory act of cinephile activism’ that seeks to recognise the significance of Myles’ contributions.
The project involves film-maker Mark Cousins, curatorial collective Invisible Women and Ms Kemp, a senior lecturer from the University of Edinburgh’s School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures and Programme Director of Edinburgh’s MSc in Film, Exhibition and Curation.
Lynda Myles will take part in a discussion with the project team at the launch, which is supported by the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Research Collections.
Animation shorts
Edinburgh College of Art alumni Ainslie Henderson and Holly Summerson feature in the Animation Shorts programme along with Silvana Roth, who graduated from ECA this summer.
Summerson’s dark comedy Living With It is an absorbing meditation on coming to terms with the long-term effects of illness.
Ainslie Henderson’s wondrous Shackle explores the conflicting human drives of creativity, possessiveness and the desire for status.
Silvana Roth’s life-affirming Waldeinsamkeit follows the magical, dreamlike journey of a disaffected old lady, which transforms her perception of the dull city life around her.
Long-running
EIFF was established in 1947. This year’s festival is hosted by the Edinburgh International Festival.
The University has been heavily involved with the festival since its opening, providing film venues, partnerships, and supporting cinematic collaborations with students, graduates and academics.
The full Film Festival programme will run over six days from 18 to 23 August 2023. Listings and booking information can be found on the EIFF website.
The University is proud to be part of the Edinburgh International Film Festival, both as a venue partner and a supporter of their programming. We look forward to welcoming film fans to enjoy the delights of outdoor cinema in our iconic Old College Quad this August for the 76th iteration of the festival.
Lorna Brain
Head of Festivals, the University of Edinburgh