The Edinburgh Film Festival is back, and this year’s programme boasts plenty of exciting premieres – here are 10 movies to watch out for!
The Edinburgh Film Festival is just around the corner, running between 15-21 August 2024, and there are plenty of films on the programme that audiences should be getting excited about. From blockbuster releases to underground gems, this festival is always home to many surprises alongside an abundant selection of highly anticipated releases. With EIFF less than two weeks away, here’s our list of the 10 movies that everybody should have on their radar, in alphabetical order!
1. ALIEN: ROMULUS
Director & Writer: Fede Alvarez
Country: USA
Described as a dark horror set in the dark confines of space, Alien: Romulus is the latest instalment in the iconic Alien franchise, taking place between the first and second movies in the series. Cailee Spaeny (Priscilla) and Isabela Merced (Instant Family) star in the film as two of several space colonists who come face-to-face with the infamous aliens during a dangerous journey. This film will mark the first of the festival’s Midnight Madness screenings, suggesting an exciting return to the franchise’s horror roots.
2. THE CEREMONY
Director: Jack King
Country: UK
One of several movies competing for Edinburgh Film Festival’s top prize, the Sean Connery Prize for Filmmaking Excellence, The Ceremony tells the story of two migrant workers whose lives are brought together when they’re forced to find a suitable place to bury a body. The film is shot in crisp black and white against the sweeping Yorkshire landscapes, focusing on these two characters as their personal experiences with social struggles and stolen property define their understanding of one another.
3. TO KILL A WOLF
Director: Kelsey Taylor
Country: USA
In a dark reimagining of the classic children’s fairy tale, Kelsey Taylor brings Little Red Riding Hood to the big screen in a fascinating new way. The snowy Oregon landscapes serve as the backdrop to this modern story, which ditches the evil wolves for social pariahs encountering a young girl on her travels. This psychological drama looks like a unique entry in the Edinburgh programme that might fly under many people’s radars, but its rich ideas and fresh execution set it up to be a hidden gem.
4. LILIES NOT FOR ME
Director: Will Seefried
Countries: UK, USA, South Africa
One of the quieter and less well-known movies on this list, Lilies Not For Me tells the story of two men wrestling with their sexualities in the repressive society of 1920s England. It’s one of several dramas having its world premiere at the festival, and judging from the promotional materials released so far, it looks to be one of the most emotional. Starring Louis Hofmann (Dark) and Robert Aramayo (The Rings of Power), the project is an unflinching reevaluation of an important time in queer history that’s often overlooked.
5. THE OUTRUN
Director & Writer: Nora Fingscheidt
Country: UK
The Outrun was first screened at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, and the early reactions immediately got us hooked. Following the story of a young woman who returns home to Scotland’s Orkney Islands after overcoming addiction problems in her troubled life in London, the film immediately gathered attention for Saoirse Ronan’s (Lady Bird) lead performance, which has been described as one of the actress’ best. The film is a tender exploration of morality and self-acceptance that’s sure to be one of the festival’s highlights.
6. SINCE YESTERDAY: THE UNTOLD STORY OF SCOTLAND’S GIRL BANDS
Directors: Blair Young & Carla J. Easton
Country: UK
Since Yesterday is one of the several documentaries that will be screened at Edinburgh this year, with this particular film having been selected as the festival’s closing act. The film explores the history of Scottish women in the music industry, tracing the visionary singers and musicians through the eras and dissecting how they changed the role that music plays in this country’s legacy. Like all the best documentaries, Since Yesterday aims to be both educational and informative – and with its deep-rooted Scottish history, Edinburgh is the perfect place for its world premiere.
7. SING SING
Director: Greg Kwedar
Country: USA
Sing Sing is another hotly anticipated release at the Edinburgh Film Festival, as it’s going to be the film’s European premiere. The movie was first shown at the Toronto International Film Festival back in 2023, before landing an American release in July of this year. The story follows a man, incarcerated for a crime that he didn’t commit, learning to heal and come to terms with his life through the power of drama and art. With a powerful lead performance from Colman Domingo (Rustin), this is a powerful story that’s going to be talked about for a long time.
8. *SMILES AND KISSES YOU*
Director: Bryan Carberry
Country: USA
This moving documentary explores the complex relationship between one man and his artificial intelligence. The concept is reminiscent of movies like Spike Jonze’s Her, but this is very much real, and the documentary offers a clear-eyed view on this unconventional relationship in a time when AI-driven dating apps are becoming more and more prevalent. The film explores loneliness, compassion, and the need for love that AI seemingly can fulfil.
9. THE SUBSTANCE
Director & Writer: Coralie Fargeat
Country: USA
Winner of this year’s Best Screenplay award at the Cannes Film Festival, this film is definitely one of the biggest treats on Edinburgh’s menu. The Substance is a twisted body horror starring Demi Moore (Ghost) and Margaret Qualley (Kinds of Kindness) that centres around an older sports performer who is tempted by a mysterious substance that promises to make her ‘the best version of herself’. With its spooky screenplay and sickening horror, this film marks Edinburgh’s closing Midnight Madness screening.
10. XIBALBA MONSTER
Director: Manuela Irene
Country: Mexico
Friendships can be forged in even the most tragic of circumstances, and that’s exactly what Xibalba Monster (Monstruo de Xibalba) explores. As a young boy grapples with the death of his parents, he forges an unlikely friendship with an ageing hermit who teaches him about the circle of life and the importance of death and grief. A powerful story that has plenty to say about the world around us, Xibalba Monster could ultimately prove to be one of Edinburgh’s most unforgettable stories.
The 2024 Edinburgh Film Festival will take place on 15-21 August 2024. Read our review of Steppenwolf!
