The Edinburgh International Film Festival has announced its 2026 line-up

Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF), the world’s oldest continually running film fest, has announced its 2026 line-up.

Opening with Domhnall Gleeson comedy The Incomer on August 13 and closing on the 19th with Louise Lockwood’s Bel, a documentary about Kenyan-Scottish musician Beldina Odenyo, EIFF packs in 38 new films as well as a clutch of retrospectives, gatherings and events. 

Look out for Molly Manners’ much praised coming-of-age comedy Extra Geography; Eden star Félix de Givry’s filmmaking debut Goodbye Cruel World; Finlay Pretsell’s Douglas Gordon by Douglas Gordon, a celebration of the Turner Prize-winning Scottish visual artist; Gregg Araki’s spicy sex comedy I Want Your Sex, starring Olivia Wilde; and Ballast director Lance Hammer’s long-awaited return to filmmaking, moral thriller Queen at Sea.

Following on from its blockbusting 2025 iteration, the festival has 21 feature film world premieres on the slate, along with unmissable in-conversation events featuring Bruce Dern and Ewan McGregor, as well as legendary indie producer Christine Vachon (Safe, Far from Heaven).

McGregor should also feature at a very special 30th anniversary screening of Trainspotting at Leith Theatre. Expect live cast and crew commentary, as well as DJ sets from Irvine Welsh and ex-Underworld member Darren Emerson.

Film fans are well-served with other retrospective screenings too. There are six more on the programme, including Takashi Miike 2001’s horror-comedy Visitor Q, Hal Ashby’s Vietnam-era classic Coming Home, 4K restorations of Sexy Beast and Little Miss Sunshine, Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet, and a Connery classic in The Rock. 

Branagh will be the recipient of the festival’s first Outstanding Contribution to Cinema Award.

The festival runs from August 13-19 at venues across the Scottish capital. Filmhouse, Cameo Cinema and Monkey Barrel Comedy all return as host venue, alongside two new additions in Cineworld Fountainbridge and Leith Theatre.

Check out the full line-up and buy tickets via the official website. 

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