Stars flock to the Edinburgh International Film Festival

We’ve mentioned the Edinburgh International Film Festival before, but that was in the run up to the event; now it’s in full swing. A quick jaunt from The Cameo at Tollcross down Lothian Road to The Filmhouse will undoubtedly come with its share of red carpets, photoflashes, film industry buffs with delegate passes and perhaps even the odd recognisable face.

Regarded as one of the world’s finest ‘boutique’ film festivals (boutique as in compact yet glitzy) the EIFF started on the 16th June and has another week to go. With this year’s line-up perhaps the best yet, it’s no wonder that a few famous types have been spotted around Edinburgh.

Ugly Betty start America Ferrera, who knows a thing or two about fashion, was spotted shopping in amongst the Old Town’s many cool and hip boutiques, before actually wearing one of the handmade purchases to her movie premier. The 26 year-old star, who is used to being photographed on red carpets on the other side of the world, spoke very highly of the independent boutique which is typical of Edinburgh’s cool Victoria Street.

Also making an appearance at a number of films so far is Scotland’s own Sir Sean Connery. A long term ambassador of the arts, Sir Sean declared last year’s hit screening ‘Man On Wire’ to be amongst his top five all-time favourite movies and has fully supported this year’s festival too. And, recovering from his bout with James Corden, Jean-Luc Picard has also been in town on official business too. The Star Trek actor was selected as a judge at the 64th EIFF and commented that it has been a career highlight to date.

So, even if you can’t make it to Edinburgh in time to catch the end of this year’s film festival, consider it a taste of the vast, glamorous transition the whole of Edinburgh will go through come Augusts’ impressive programme of festivals. See you there!