Numbers crunched at the end of the 68th Edinburgh International Film Festival

More than 46,000 tickets were sold for the films shown at this year’s 68th Edinburgh International Film Festival which finished last weekend representing a four per cent increase on last year.

The Festival sold tickets for its venues across the city, which included the EIFF’s home at Filmhouse, its venue partner at Cineworld Fountain Park, and at Festival Theatre Edinburgh, Traverse Theatre, Dominion Cinema, Odeon Lothian Road, Cameo, Royal Lyceum Theatre and Belmont Filmhouse in Aberdeen.

Ken Hay, CEO Edinburgh International Film Festival, commented:- “We are delighted to see that audiences have again supported the Festival this year despite football fever and the glorious June sunshine!  An increase in our admissions is a testament to the strength and depth of the programme.”

This year, the Festival also collaborated with This is Edinburgh and Essential Edinburgh on Film in the City; a series of outdoor screenings and events across the city.  Over 12,000 people enjoyed the delights of “dance along” screenings of musical favourites such as GREASE and STRICTLY BALLROOM in the Grassmarket and JAWS, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON and JUNO amongst the cinematic gems in St Andrew Square.  Festival Square also hosted a series of movie inspired workshops, Q&A’s and animation sessions.

Winning films this year included the world premiere of Joanna Coates’s HIDE AND SEEK, which picked up The Michael Powell Award for Best British Feature Film. The Award for Best Film in the International Competition was presented to Midi Z’s ICE POISON and The Audience Award went to TONY BENN: WILL & TESTAMENT, which also received its world premiere at the Festival.