Renee Zellweger film to premiere at Edinburgh Film Festival
'Beautiful animation'
The festival's director and chief executive Paul Ridd said the festival was approached by Zellweger's producer at an early stage and that they "fell in love" with the film."It's such an honour to have her first film premiere with us, and a world premiere too," he said. "It's a beautiful animation and so interesting for someone so iconic for her film roles, turning her hand to filmmaking."The festival director said he was unable to confirm if Zellweger would attend the premiere but said an announcement about guests would be made in the coming weeks.This is the second festival under Mr Ridd, who relaunched it last year after a difficult period. "It has been an honour to bring this festival back to life," he said.The festival, along with the Belmont in Aberdeen and Filmhouse in Edinburgh, was forced to close in October 2022 after parent company CIMI went into administration.The Edinburgh International Festival, which has run alongside the film festival since 1947, helped it stage a small number of events in 2023.Last year saw the event extended to a week and although this year's festival will not run any longer, it will branch out into a number of new venues, including the Hawthornden Theatre in the National Gallery of Scotland and the newly reopened Filmhouse.
The festival's chairman Andrew Macdonald will also take to the stage for an in-conversation event with his filmmaker brother Kevin Macdonald.The 78th programme includes films from Scotland, Ireland, Croatia, Australia and Brazil.As previously announced, it will open with the black comedy Sorry Baby and close with a new documentary about Irvine Welsh, Reality is Not Enough.Ten of the films will compete for the £50,000 Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence, which is decided by an audience vote and announced at the end of the festival. The winner of last year's award, The Ceremony, will be released in cinemas in August.Connery, the festival's former patron, also features on-screen in a season of films called Sacred Bonds which will include 4K restorations of Dr No and From Russia with Love.The festival will also stage the world premiere of Ben Wheatley's new film Bulk and screen The Toxic Avenger, which stars Peter Dinklage and Elijah Wood.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
15 minutes ago
- The Independent
Sonay Kartal relaxed in the spotlight as she prepares for Wimbledon's last 16
Laid-back Sonay Kartal is taking the Wimbledon spotlight in her stride – even if a trip to the shops proved trickier than usual. All eyes are on Kartal as the only British woman to reach the fourth round after Emma Raducanu's brave defeat by top seed Aryna Sabalenka on Friday night. Should she beat Russian veteran Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Centre Court on Sunday, the 23-year-old will become the first British woman to reach the last eight since Johanna Konta in 2019. Kartal was back on court on Saturday, playing doubles with her close friend and fellow Briton Jodie Burrage. 'She's definitely got more cameras on her now. I have noticed that,' said Burrage. 'That's expected, you know. 'It was nice to play a doubles match with that atmosphere. It was packed on that court. Unfortunately we couldn't get them going a little bit more because we lost. 'But it was fun. She is taking it like a champion. She loves the limelight.' Kartal rolls her eyes, not for the first time, as her pal gently teases her. But the Brighton pro's run in SW19 has captured the public's imagination, as she found out on Friday evening after her third-round win over Diane Parry. 'I went to the shops and it was a bit tricky,' she said. 'That's something I will have to get used to for the next few weeks. 'Listen, people think I don't like it as my whole life I have gone under the radar a bit, but I don't have an issue with being in the spotlight or not. 'If the spotlight is on you it means you are doing good things. I am taking it as a compliment.' It is not just Kartal's tennis that is the hot topic in south-west London, but also her tattoos. She got her 14th after winning her first match at the French Open last month and is now taking suggestions for ink number 15. 'I've had a few – Jodie's idea of having Centre Court was terrible,' she laughed. 'I won't get that. Someone said I should get the vintage polo top that I've been wearing, I don't know if it is possible. Maybe a fire and ice tattoo. I like that – but it would remind me of Jodie!' Kartal found out she will be making her debut on Centre Court on Sunday just before she played her doubles match, and she has no intention of it being her last time this fortnight. 'It's a huge honour to play on that court. A court that you dream of,' she said. 'The way I am looking at it is that it's a slightly bigger Court One. Warming up on Court One a couple of days ago will help me. I will feel much better walking out on Centre. 'I know I am far from finished yet. I have done one week – got another week to go to the finish line. 'There have been some crazy results. I have been given a good spot in the draw, things have opened up. I am excited and will enjoy every second.'
The Sun
16 minutes ago
- The Sun
Pop star and former X Factor singer reveals he's cancelled show at Pride nearly a year after boyfriend's tragic death
AN X Factor star has revealed he has cancelled a planned Pride concert - almost a year on from the tragic death of his fiancé. Jaymi Hensley, 35, rose to fame as a member of hit boyband, Union J. 5 5 5 He has performed as a solo artist alongside his Union J duties but has revealed that he has cancelled a scheduled appearance at Worthing Pride for undisclosed reasons. Taking to Instagram, Jaymi typed out a message to his followers to reveal he would no longer be performing as originally planned. Jaymi said: "Guys I'm really sorry for those who were coming to see me but for personal reasons I'm unable to perform at Worthing Pride tomorrow. "I really hope you understand I never cancel unless it absolutely necessary." Jaymi did not add any further details on why he had pulled out of the performance at the LGBTQ+ event. Last year, Jaymi's world came crashing down following the death of his partner, Olly Marmon, 33, who plunged more than 30ft from their second floor hotel suite. Olly is understood to have fallen through a small open second floor window onto a footpath in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. Guests at the Hind Hotel rushed outside to try to save Olly but the stylist was later pronounced dead at the scene. A source close to the pop star's family said the tragedy was "unbelievable" at the time. Union J star Jaymi had been in a relationship with hairstylist Olly since 2009 and they got engaged in 2014. Emergency services rushed to the three-star Hind Hotel in Wellingborough, Northampton, after Olly fell at around 11.30pm. Olly's family shared photos of the star, along with tributes to their 'spiritual, gentle soul' who was 'beautiful both inside and out.' Jaymi was one of the founding members of Union J in 2011 - although the group was originally a trio known as Triple J. They auditioned for the ninth series of The X Factor, becoming Union J after fellow contestant George Shelley joined Jaymi, and bandmates JJ Hamblett and Josh Cuthbert. The foursome came fifth in the competition, which was eventually won by solo singer James Arthur - beating Rylan into fifth, in the same series as Ella Henderson. The group signed to Sony Music subsidiary RCA Records, releasing debut single 'Carry You' in June 2013. Their self-titled debut studio album followed in October 2013 and peaked at number 6 on the UK Albums Chart. They left RCA Records in April 2014 and signed with Epic Records. A second LP, named 'You Got It All – The Album' came out the following December. George left the group in 2016 before Josh walked out two years later - leaving Jaymi and JJ as a duo, before the pair officially disbanded in 2019. They announced a reunion show at London Palladium in 2022 to celebrate Union J's 10th anniversary and a comeback tour - only for Jaymi to sensationally quit ahead of the gigs. 5 5
Daily Mail
25 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
What happened to Girl Power? Geri Halliwell and Mel C fail to acknowledge Mel B's wedding as they skip nuptials - while Victoria Beckham shares tribute despite absence and Emma Bunton is the only Spice Girl to attend
Geri Halliwell and Mel C have so far failed to acknowledge their Spice Girl's bandmate Mel B 's star-studded wedding on Saturday. The pair were both notably absent as Mel said 'I do' to her fiance Rory McPhee at St Paul's Cathedral in London in front of a string of very A-list guests. In fact, Emma Bunton was the only Spice Girl to attend as Victoria Beckham also missed the ceremony - though she shared some sweet words online despite her absence. Ginger Spice Geri, 52, has so far not mentioned the wedding on her social media while Sporty Spice Mel C, 51, has also remained silent publicly on the big day. But Posh, 51, took to Instagram to share a sweet black and white throwback of herself and the bride with bandmates Geri, Mel C and Emma. She captioned the snap: 'Congratulations @officalmelb @rorymcphee on your special day! I couldn't be more excited for you both and wish you a lifetime of happiness! kisses xx' Geri and Mel C were both notably absent as Mel B said 'I do' to her fiance Rory McPhee at St Paul's Cathedral in London in front of a string of very A-list guests Hours earlier, Victoria had also posted another tribute to the couple on Friday with a photograph of herself and Mel looking glamorous together at a recent event. She gushed in a caption: 'Sending love to you @officialmelb! @rorymcphee is a very lucky man! xx' Ahead of the wedding, sources told the Mail that there was no bad blood between Victoria and Mel but was simply a scheduling conflict. They said: 'Victoria has long standing plans out of the country and she simply can't be there. 'She adores Mel, they get on really well despite their paths going in opposite directions. It's a real shame. 'There is no issue between them, they haven't fallen out. It's just one of those things.' As for Geri, she and Mel have a tempestuous relationship and at times have struggled to be in the same room without there being animosity. The two women went to war after Mel B revealed that she had an intimate relationship with Geri when the band was starting out while she was being interviewed for Piers Morgan's Life Stories programme. Geri was said to have been deeply upset by the bombshell revelation in 2019, for which Mel has apparently never apologised. Sources also say that Geri's husband Christian Horner was 'mortified' about Mel's claims. Though the other Spice Girls were absent, Emma was in attendance and looked gorgeous in a stylish pink dress as she stepped out to support Mel B. Emma was accompanied by husband Jade Jones and their son Beau, 17, with both men looking dapper for the big day. After heading out of the cathedral, Baby Spice kindly stopped and signed her autograph for an eager fan. Mel walked down the aisle for the third time in front of her celebrity friends on Saturday afternoon as she finally became Mrs McPhee. She looked every inch the blushing bride in a pearl-adorned white gown as she married Rory during the stunning ceremony. Her gown featured a sheer illusion design adorned with white pearls and a ruched bodice, with the singer adding a flowing veil to her bridal look. Meanwhile, groom Rory, 37, opted for traditional Scottish attire complete with a red and green tartan kilt. Mel arrived in a white Bentley to her wedding and flashed a radiant smile and adjusted her veil as she prepared to head inside. Meanwhile, Mel's children Phoenix Chi, Madison and Angel Iris were all smiles as they arrived to see their mother walk down the aisle. Phoenix, 26, looked lovely in a blue silk dress and coordinating fascinator, and was accompanied by partner AJ Anderson. Sibling Angel, 18, who now identifies as a male, looked smart in a black suit, while sister Madison, 13, caught the eye in a bright pink dress and matching head piece. Celebrities in attendance include TV presenters Gaby Roslin and Angellica Bell, comedians Katherine Ryan and Alan Carr. Leigh Francis, Cara Delevingne as well as the Spice Girls' former manager Simon Fueller were pictured at the ceremony. Mel was able to get married at St Paul's Cathedral because of her OBE, which she got in 2022 for her services to charitable causes and vulnerable women, especially Woman's Aid. It is the third time that Mel said 'I do' after first marrying Dutch backing dancer Jimmy Gulzar in 1998. And when she wed Stephen Belafonte in 2007, they eloped to Las Vegas before holding a vow renewal in Egypt the following year. Mel and Stephen separated in 2016 when she accused him of emotional and physical abuse, which he has always denied. His lawyers said that during the marriage they spent her £50million fortune. Mel grew close to Rory after the breakdown of her marriage to Stephen. Last year, she said: 'He's a family friend, great hairdresser... when I went back to England, he would come over and give me hair treatments... 'And as he was nurturing my curls back, I guess he was nurturing my trust and belief in a relationship.'
