Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle and Doctor Who actress Karen Gillan has been named as patron of the Edinburgh International Film Festival’s (EIFF) expanding youth strand.

Karen gillan

Source: EIFF

Karen Gillan

Dubbed The Young & the Wild, the programme is a series of screenings and events for young audiences that takes place during the main festival, June 20 – July 1 in 2018.

Alongside her roles in current global box office topper Jumanji and Guardians Of The Galaxy 2, 2017 also saw Gillan make her debut as a writer-director with The Party’s Just Beginning (previously Tupperware Party), which is now in post-produciton.

Inverness-born Gillan was previously a juror at EIFF in 2015. Her responsibilities in her new role as patron are still being firmed up.

The Young & the Wild strand is expanding this year due to support from the Year of Young People 2018 event fund, an initiative managed by organisation EventScotland.

Gillan commented: “I am delighted that EventScotland is supporting EIFF’s The Young & the Wild programme for the Year of Young People 2018. This builds on the great work EIFF has been doing for the past four years in developing and inspiring young people who have a passion for cinema.”

“Through this programme young people will be able to access great international cinema, but more importantly learn from filmmakers form around the world who will visit EIFF in June,” she added.

EIFF deputy artistic director Diane Henderson added: “To have support from Karen GIllan, one of Scotland’s most treasured and successful actor/writer/directors, is a huge honour for us.”