In all the 64th Edinburgh International Film Festival will screen 163 features from 34 countries, representing 63 UK premieres.

The 64th Edinburgh International Film Festival will host 22 world premieres at 12 international premieres, artistic director Hannah McGill announced today in Edinburgh. In all the festival will screen 163 features from 34 countries, representing 63 UK premieres.  Submissions to EIFF rose 11% for 2010, festival organisers noted.

As previously reported, the festival opens with Sylvain Chomet’s The Illusionist and the closing night gala has been unveiled as Hattie Dalton’s Third Star, a UK tragicomedy starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Burke.

In the British Galas section, competing for the UK Film Council-sponsored Michael Powell Award for Best British Feature, the seven world premieres are Paul Andrew Williams’ Cherry Tree Lane; Ben Miller’s Huge; Edward McHenry & Rory McHenry’s Jackboots on Whitehall; Nick Moran’s The Kid; Viv Fongenie’s Ollie Kepler’s Expanding Purple World; Karl Golden’s Pelican Blood; and Shimmy Marcus’ Soulboy. Other films in British Galas are Ashley Horner’s brilliantlove; Bernard Rose’s Mr Nice; and Nick Whitfield’s Skeletons.  

Other galas will include Aaron Schnedier’s Get Low; Werner Herzog’s My Son, My Son; Floria Sigismondi’s The Runaways; Bobcat Goldthwait’s World’s Greatest Dad; Dagur Kari’s The Good Heart; Bart Freundlich’s The Rebound; Pascal Chaumeil’s Heartbreaker and Toy Story 3.

Other world premieres from first and second-time directors in Rosebud are Col Spector’s Honeymooner; Josh Hyde’s Postales; Morag McKinnon’s Donkeys; and Nelofar Pazira’s Act of Dishonour. Other Rosebud titles include Debra Granik’s Winter’s Bone and Patrick Hughes’ Red Hill.

Directors’ Showcase selections include Rafi Pitts’ The Hunter; Juan Jose Campanella’s The Secret In Their Eyes; Richard Berry’s 22 Bullets (L’Immmortel); and Suzana Amaral’s Hotel Atlantico.

Documentaries in the Document section include Steven Soderbergh’s And Everything Is Going Fine; Steve Sale’s Superhero Me; Corinne van der Borch’s Girl With Black Balloons; Nicolas Philibert’s Nenette; and Alexandre O Philippe’s The People vs George Lucas.

In the late-night sections Night Moves and Under the Radar, titles include Gareth Edwards’ Monsters and Colm McCarthy’s Outcast.

Retrospectives include forgotten British Cinema from 1967-1979; special screenings will include Five Easy Pieces and two films by Alberto Cavalcanti, a sneak peak of HBO’s Bored To Death, and a special presentation of Tilda Swinton and Mark Cousins’ 8 ½ Foundation. The keynote will come from producer Graham King and Patrick Stewart will also do an on-stage interview, as will the Brothers Quay.

EIFF Artistic Director Hannah McGill said: ‘”We’re tremendously excited about the programme this year and especially about how many of our titles are brand new to the world festival circuit and the international industry. We’re looking forward to welcoming an amazing array of guests, and to celebrating EIFF’s 64th year by spreading our excitement about current and classic cinema to our loyal attenders and to new audiences alike.”

The festival runs June 16-27. Patrons including Sean Connery, Tila Swinton and Seamus McGarvey will be on hand for the opening gala.