EIFF looks back at its last 70 years

Edinburgh International Film Festival has plenty to look back on – it is the longest continually running film festival in the world, after all. To mark its 70th year, the festival has launched ed film fest memories. Despite the à la mode lower case title, this is a project all about getting nostalgic and embracing the festival’s rich history. EIFF are inviting people who have attended the festival over the last seven decades to share their own memories.

The hope is this nation-wide search for EIFF memories will uncover never-before-seen images from the festival and never-before-heard stories. EIFF have also been ferreting in its own archive for the festival’s most prized photographs and archive material to include in the project. Head over to the ed film fest memories website to see some of these images and submit your own.

“We are delighted to be celebrating our longstanding heritage and amazing achievements with the world through ed film fest memories and celebrating the 70th anniversary of a festival that is very dear to people’s hearts,” said Diane Henderson, EIFF's deputy artistic director. “EIFF has brought so much culture and cinematic diversity to this staunchly cultural city and we look forward to seeing many more memories shared ahead of this year’s festival. We will continue to work on building and developing this wonderful resource so please watch this space.”

The ed film fest memories project is ongoing, and it'll be launched with a city-wide exhibition on Wed 31 May, which will put on display more than 100 archived images. You can submit your own via an online form.

Below are some of our favourite images that have been shared by EIFF so far:

EIFF 1956, Gene Kelly

"Gene Kelly visited Edinburgh in support of the screening of Invitation to the Dance at the New Victoria in 1956, together with HRH The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Margaret."

EIFF 1973, Werner Herzog for Aguirre, Wrath of God

"While in Edinburgh for the premiere of Aguirre, Wrath of God and his retrospective in 1973, Werner Herzog disappeared after two days, travelling north to shoot some landscape footage. Herzog first attended the Festival in support of Fata Morgana in 1971, Enigma of Kasper Hauser in 1975 and Fitzcarraldo in 1982. EIFF hosted a comprehensive retrospective on his work in 2001."

EIFF 1980, Nick Nolte at Filmhouse for Heart Beat

"When Nick Nolte came to the Festival in 1980 with Heart Beat he stayed at Borthwick Castle as he was keen to do some fishing while he was in Scotland."

EIFF 1990, Clint Eastwood at Cameo for White Hunter Black Heart

"Clint Eastwood came to Edinburgh to promote the Festival's screening of White Hunter Black Heart at the Cameo cinema in 1990, with the soundtrack's composer, legendary producer Quincy Jones also in attendance."

EIFF 1998, Terry Gilliam attends with Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

"EIFF screened the premiere of Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas with director Terry Gilliam in attendance. The festival also presented Cinema Under The Stars at the City Chambers, closing off the High Street to vehicles, turning the area into a traffic-free piazza and screening three of Gilliam's classics: Time Bandits, 12 Monkeys and Brazil."

EIFF 2010, Jennifer Lawrence at Filmhouse for Winter's Bone

"Then little-known Jennifer Lawrence attended EIFF in 2010 with director Debra Granik for the premiere of Winter's Bone, kicking off her very high heels during a Q&A at Filmhouse."