Tilda Swinton and Mark Cousins have joined Scotland’s new Centre for the Moving Image as Creative Advisors.

The CMI brings Edinburgh International Film Festival, Edinburgh Filmhouse and the Film Guildunder a single umbrella; Gavin Miller serves as the group’s CEO.

Swinton and Cousins worked together on initiatives such as the Ballerina Ballroom Cinema of Dreams, A Pilgrimage Film Festival, and Scottish Cinema of Dreams in China, as well as starting  the 8 ½ Foundation; a Scotland-based not-for-profit organisation which aims to bring world cinema to children. 

Both had already been involved with the EIFF, Swinton as a patron since 2007 and Cousins as artistic director from 1995-1996.

The pair said in a statement: “The CMI is a body set up in a spirit of real cultural celebration towards vibrant cinema literacy that can be seen as dynamically accessible to all of us. We are very proud of Scotland for initiating the great opportunity that the CMI is. It is a real honour for us to be invited to take part in helping to hold the course of this spirit.”

Miller added: “With the appointment of Tilda and Mark as Creative Advisors and our search for a new Artistic Director for the Edinburgh International Film Festival underway, we’re very excited about the future for Edinburgh Filmhouse, Edinburgh International Film Festival and the CMI, building on their creative and cultural heritage and looking forward to a new phase of bold and innovative ideas and initiatives for all to experience and enjoy”.