David Mackenzie's critically-acclaimed Scottish drama Young Adam will open next month's Edinburgh International Film Festival.

A dark, disturbing adaptation of the Alexander Trocchi novel starring Ewan McGregor and Tilda Swinton, the production is part of a strong line-up of premieres that underline the event's importance as a showcase for British cinema.

Other highlights include May Miles Thomas's second feature Solid Air, Alison Peebles' Afterlife with Kevin McKidd and Shirley Henderson, Paul Morrison's cricket comedy Wondrous Oblivion, Chris Cooke's One For The Road, Simon Cellan Jones' lavish period drama Eroica, Mike Hodges reunion with Clive Owen on I'll Sleep When I'm Dead, Peter Greenaway's The Tulse Luper Suitcases: Part 1-The Moab Story and Richard Jobson's directorial debut 16 Years Of Alcohol.

Running from August 13-24, the 57th Festival has taken 'The New Europe' as its theme and will screen 23 features that reflect such themes as the rise of nationalism, the shifting nature of borders and the clash of secular and religious societies.

The high-profile Festival Gala screenings include Clint Eastwood's admired thriller Mystic River, Gregor Jordan's Ned Kelly with Heath Ledger, French animated feature Belleville Rendez-Vous, Lone Scherfig's box-office hit Wilbur Wants To Kill Himself and previously announced titles Swimming Pool and In America. Sundance favourite American Splendor will close the Festival.

Documentary screenings include Capturing The Friedmans, Oliver Stone's Comandante and Traces Of A Dragon: Jackie Chan And His Lost Family.

Guests so far confirmed for the event include Jim Sheridan, Richard La Gravenese, Peter Greenaway and Mike Hodges who will unveil I'll Sleep When I'm Dead and a previously unseen director's cut of his 1974 science-fiction thriller The Terminal Man. Terence Davies will give the annual BAFTA Interview and retrospectives are devoted to French master of suspense Henri-Georges Clouzot and Miklos Jancso.