Edinburgh Film Festival opening film announced

The Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) announced today that John Maybury’s Dylan Thomas biopic The Edge Of Love will be the Opening Gala at this year’s Festival, which will run from 18 – 29 June 2008. The announcement was made today by EIFF’s Artistic Director, Hannah McGill.

Starring Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller and Cillian Murphy, The Edge Of Love tells the tale of the life of charismatic poet Dylan Thomas (Cillian Murphy), as seen through the eyes of Vera Phillips (Keira Knightley) and the adventurous Caitlin (Sienna Miller).

Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller, Matthew Rhys and director John Maybury are expected to attend the Premiere in Edinburgh on Wednesday 18 June 2008.

McGill said: ‘I couldn’t be happier to be opening this most auspicious Festival with this utterly seductive and fascinating film, which stars some of the most charismatic young performers in the business, and affirms John Maybury as one of our most important directors. It's film that I personally adore, and opening with it is the perfect expression of our commitment to intelligent, impassioned, exciting new filmmaking.’

Director John Maybury added, “I am thrilled and honoured to have the film at the Edinburgh Film Festival. I have a deep affection for the Festival since they were so good to award Love Is The Devil the Michael Powell Award and Derek Jacobi and Daniel Craig, Joint Best Actor Awards ten years ago”.

EIFF 2008 takes place this year from 18 – 29 June.