Film-maker’s festival vow

THE new chair of the Edinburgh International Film Festival has vowed to take the event to new heights after “obvious” mistakes two years ago when it abandoned red-carpet premieres.

Veteran film-maker Bob Last, producer of The Illusionist and House of Mirth, said the festival should not just be content with restoring its reputation, but should raise its game to compete internationally.

He said the event’s venues were “bursting at the seams” and called for the city to re-examine the case for a new home for the film festival and the Filmhouse cinema.

Meanwhile, reports today claimed the festival was in line for increased funding for next year from its major backers, Creative Scotland, the city council and the Scottish Government.