Edinburgh International Film Festival announces the return of Film Fest in the city

Edinburgh International Film Festival and Essential Edinburgh’s immensely popular free open-air cinema event, Film Fest in the City with Edinburgh Live, will return to St Andrew Square Garden this summer, with the Festival announcing a fantastic line-up of free screenings running from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 June 2019.

Hosted in partnership by Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) and Essential Edinburgh, with new headline sponsor Edinburgh Live – an exciting new digital title dedicated to providing up-to-the minute coverage of the latest events, sport and news in Edinburgh – this year’s special outdoor cinema experience will give audiences the chance to catch some of the best releases both new and old, including the Oscar-winning Bohemian Rhapsody, Mary Poppins Returns starring Emily Blunt as the iconic magical nanny and the unforgettable cinematic extravaganza The Greatest Showman, back by popular demand. Audiences will also be treated to a double bill of Mamma Mia! and Mamma Mia 2.

The three-day spectacular will offer something for all audiences from much-loved classics including When Harry met Sally, cult titles Xanadu and Groundhog Day alongside family favourites The Iron Giant, Brave and Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse. Audiences will be able to enjoy a range of premium refreshments from a host of special pop-up bars over the weekend, including Edinburgh Gin, Innis & Gunn and Poco Prosecco. Once again, all of this year’s screenings will be free with no ticket required, just turn up and join in the fun!

Mark Adams, EIFF Artistic Director said: “The annual outdoor screenings make for the perfect taster before the festival proper begins a few days later. Watching a film outdoors is such a special experience and it is always gratifying to see film fans arriving at beautiful St Andrew Square Garden for this wonderful social event. We have a lovely blend of old and new, and some musical pleasures alongside animated classics.”

Roddy Smith, Chief Executive of Essential Edinburgh said: “Essential Edinburgh is delighted to be able to continue to fund this fantastic event for the 8^th time and we are pleased to welcome Edinburgh Live as our new headline sponsor. Film Fest in the City is only possible thanks to the superb partnership between Essential Edinburgh, EIFF and the production team at Unique Events. Essential Edinburgh is solely funded by city centre businesses who invest £1 million a year into projects, initiatives and events, such as Film Fest in the City. As always it is a fantastic mix of movies that can be enjoyed for free in the beautiful St Andrew Square Garden, we are looking forward to welcoming you to what is one of the best free events of the year.”

Edinburgh Live’s editor Hilary Mitchell added: “We’re very excited to be partnering with Film Fest in the City this year. Edinburgh Live are a brand-new digital title. We launched in September 2018 and we dedicate an entire section on our website to highlighting all of the best, most fun things to do in Edinburgh. These outdoor film screenings are exactly the kind of unique, enjoyable activity we love to write about, so to be actively involved with such an iconic event is fantastic.”

Launched in 2011, the St Andrew Square screenings were created to bring film lovers into the city centre, to celebrate the capital’s rich culture and creativity and generate excitement during the run-up to the world-famous EIFF.

The 73^rd edition of EIFF runs from 19 June – 30 June 2019. For more information on this year’s Festival visit www.edfilmfest.org.uk.

Photograph: Beth Cameron © EIFF, Edinburgh International Film Festival All Rights Reserved