First Minister Alex Salmond and Chris Fujiwara, Artistic Director Edinburgh International Film Festival have announced that the much anticipated Disney-Pixar animated film Brave, will receive a glittering European premiere, on the closing night of the 66th Edinburgh International Film Festival.
The film is set in mythical Scotland and features some of the UK’s best-loved stars.
The red carpet will be rolled out at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre for a host of stars and filmmakers on June 30 when the animated tale of a courageous Scottish heroine is unveiled.
The First Minister made the announcement about the premiere during his speech at VisitScotland’s Winning Years Conference in Perth today.
Mr Salmond told an audience of tourism specialists, operators and business people assembled to discuss how they could maximise promotional activity by focusing on major events and milestones in the next few years.
He said:
“I am delighted to announce that Hollywood will roll into town during the Edinburgh International Film Festival when we host the European premiere of Brave. This will present us with an immense opportunity when Scotland will be centre stage in the film with all the tourism and business opportunities this will bring. I fully expect that as the film launches across the world, so will awareness of Scotland increase.”
The announcement comes just days after VisitScotland revealed it had joined forces with Disney-Pixar in a campaign which is designed to promote Scottish tourism across the world and bring a boost to the Scottish economy.
The premiere will provide a showpiece finale for the Edinburgh International Film Festival as it plays and will set the scene for the UK launch of the movie in August.
Chris Fujiwara, Artistic Director Edinburgh International Film Festival, said:
“We’re delighted to host the premiere of Brave and continue the Festival’s long relationship with Disney. Though we are an international film festival, we’re mindful that we have a special responsibility to Scotland’s cinematic image. It makes perfect sense that this film, which is so strongly tied to the cultural mythology of Scotland and the beauty of the Scottish landscape, and in which Scottish talent has such a significant involvement, should be part of our festival.”
Mr Salmond continued:
“Brave will be the most high-profile film ever set in, and themed around, Scotland, featuring Scottish stars. We are looking at a film which comes from the award-winning team behind such box office smashes as Toy Story, Finding Nemo and Up, and will create global buzz when it is released.”
Mike Cantlay, VisitScotland Chairman, added:
“When better than in the Year of Creative Scotland and where better than right here on Scottish soil to launch Brave for the first time in Europe. The film will showcase the scenery, humour and culture of Scotland and we are looking forward to converting cinema-goers into visitors.”
The Winning Years conference brought together tourism industry representatives to consider opportunities being presented by a number of world scale events taking place in Scotland during 2012 to 2014.
The First Minister added:
“The Winning Years’ offer an unprecedented opportunity for Scotland to grow tourism, stimulate the economy and position itself on the global stage.
“The cumulative effect of the opportunities on offer over this concentrated period of time are significant, making possible a step change for Scottish tourism that will bring the growth that the industry has been striving to achieve through difficult economic times. Never will Scotland receive so much global coverage in such a concentrated time span and never will Scots have had such an opportunity to demonstrate their warmth and sense of pride.”
The 66th Edinburgh International Film Festival takes place June 20 to July 1, 2012.
