Edinburgh International Film Festival Announces Retrospective and Country Focus

EIFF today announced that the main 2015 retrospective is "LITTLE BIG SCREEN", which will offer a rare opportunity to see some of the finest American TV movies from the 1960's and 70's.

The retrospective will include screenings of films by some of Hollywood's biggest directors including Steven Spielberg (DUEL), Michael Mann (THE JERICHO MILE), Tobe Hooper (SALEMS LOT), and Sam Peckinpah (NOON WINE).

Niall Greig Fulton, EIFF Senior Programmer said "With this retrospective we aim to present our audiences with a selection of the most significant titles from a golden era of made for television movies in the US. It is also an opportunity to consider the role of television in relation to cinema. A relationship with an ever changing dynamic that, in this context, has come full circle in recent years; television once again becoming an acceptable and fertile environment for artists primarily associated with the big screen."

As a companion piece to "LITTLE BIG SCREEN", the Festival will also be presenting "WALTER HILL: THE EARLY YEARS". This strand will feature the complete run of Hill's classic early work from HARD TIMES through to 48 HOURS, documenting the emergence of a vital American talent on the big screen during the same era covered in LITTLE BIG SCREEN.

EIFF's main country focus in 2015 will be Mexico. Supported by Imcine, this strand will comprise of new features and short films, as well as a selection of retrospective titles offering a glimpse into the cinematic riches coming out of one of the world's most vibrant cinematic nations.

Continuing the Masters of Animation series, which began in 2013 with a focus on multi-Oscar winner Richard Williams, and the centenary celebration of Norman McLaren in 2014, the Festival will present a retrospective of the work of acclaimed animator Barry Purves. The recipient of more than 60 international prizes, as well as Oscar and Bafta nominations, Barry will present a selection of his short animations and will appear in person to discuss his work as an animator, author, stage director and designer.

www.edfilmfest.org.uk/press

For further information, please contact:

Organic Publicity:

emma.mccorkell@organic-publicity.co.uk / becky.palmer@organic-publicity.co.uk

0203 372 0970

About Edinburgh International Film Festival:

Established in 1947, Edinburgh International Film Festival is renowned around the world for discovering and promoting the very best in international cinema - and for heralding and debating changes in global filmmaking. Intimate in its scale, ambitious in its scope, and fuelled by pure passion for cinema in all its manifestations, EIFF seeks to spotlight the most exciting and innovative new film talent, in a setting steeped in history.

Notable films premiered in recent years have included: A MOST WANTED MAN, COLD IN JULY, FRANCES HA, WE STEAL SECRETS: THE STORY OF WIKILEAKS, THE IMPOSTER, BRAVE, TABU, THE HURT LOCKER, MOON, FISH TANK, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, MAN ON WIRE, CONTROL, KNOCKED UP, RATATOUILLE, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, TSOTSI and BILLY ELLIOT.

EIFF is supported by Creative Scotland, the BFI, the Scottish Government through the Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund, the City of Edinburgh Council, and EventScotland.

The Centre for the Moving Image (CMI) was founded in 2010 with a mission to be at the forefront of the development of film and the moving image in Scotland. The CMI currently comprises EIFF, Filmhouse in Edinburgh and the Belmont Filmhouse in Aberdeen.

The Edinburgh International Film Festival Limited is a company registered in Scotland No: SC132453. It is a subsidiary of the Centre for the Moving Image (CMI) which is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status with Scottish Charity No. SC006793.

About Creative Scotland:

Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. We enable people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life. We distribute funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery. For further information about Creative Scotland please visit www.creativescotland.com. Follow us @creativescots andwww.facebook.com/CreativeScotland