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Spread out over seven venues including the Filmhouse, Cameo, Teviot, George Square Theatre, Festival Theatre, The Dominion and Inspace, this year the festival has a programme of over 60 films that aim to showcase the best of British film talent as well as some of the best work from international filmmakers.

Conceived in 1945 at the same time as the Edinburgh International Festival, the EIFF was one of the first international film festivals and has gone on to establish itself as a template for others to follow. Over the years the festival has championed the likes of John Grierson (founder of the British documentary movement), screened early films by Martin Scorsese and Stephen Soderbergh and even held the UK premier of Steven Speilberg’s classic, ET.

This Year's Programme

Leading the Scottish representation at EIFF 2011 is the feature film Perfect Sense. Directed by David Mackenzie and produced by Sigma Films (Hallum Foe & Young Adam) - with the help of a £400,000 investment from Creative Scotland - the film stars Ewan McGregor and Eva Green (Casino Royale) as a couple who fall in love just before the world is about to fall apart.

The European premier of Perfect Sense takes place at the Festival Theatre on the 18 June.

Another Scottish film premiering at the festival is Carter Ferguson’s Fast Romance. Being billed as Scotland’s answer to Love Actually, it follows seven very different singletons as they search for love in the cosmopolitan city of Glasgow. Fast Romance is screening at the Filmhouse on the 16 & 17 June.

Some of the other Scottish screenings/events to look out for this year include:

Scottish Shorts – A programme of 10 shorts from both new and established Scottish filmmakers. 23 June @ George Square Theatre.

Scottish Animation: Making an Impact – A one hour screening including the best of Scottish animation followed by a panel discussion with industry professionals discussing their experiences. 22 June @ Filmhouse 2.

A Kind of Seeing: Memories and Myths – Returning to the EIFF for it’s third year the event will be showcasing celluloid rarities from the Scottish Screen Archive. 18 June @ Filmhouse 2.

The EIFF has always prided itself on having a strong international programme and this year is no different, with films from France, Hungary, Argentina and Canada among those selected. One of the international films tipped as a must see by festival director James Mullighan is the Norwegian film Troll Hunter. The film features a cast of relatively unknown Norwegian actors and comedians and was extremely well received by critics when it opened in Norway last year. Filmed in the mockumentary style of films such as The Blair Witch Project it will be screening at the Cameo on the 22 & 24 June.

New For 2011

As well as providing a platform for local talent, international film, documentaries and shorts, the festival is also putting on a programme of film related events at their new base in Edinburgh University’s historic Teviot building. Here are some of the highlights:

The Nokia Shorts Weekender – billed as Scotland’s biggest celebration of short filmmaking, there will be over 20 screenings as well as masterclasses and retrospectives from those in the industry. There will also be an opportunity to win $5,000 to make your own short film.

Reel Science – containing a programme of new and classic films, there will also be Q&As from leading UK scientists after the screenings. One event includes the screening of the James Cameron classic, Terminator, followed by a discussion on whether robots are capable of rational thought.

Conflict | reportage – a comprehensive and thoughtful exploration of modern conflict reportage including the screening of Hell and Back Again – Danfung Dennis’s award winning documentary about the war in Afghanistan, and a lecture on the future of war reporting from three of the world’s foremost photojournalists.

The Edinburgh International Film Festival runs in venues across Edinburgh until the 26 June. Further details of the entire festival programme and how to find the various venues can be found on the EIFF website.