The Edinburgh International Film Festival announced its 2026 programme on July 2, naming actor, director, and producer Kenneth Branagh as the first recipient of the festival’s Outstanding Contribution to Cinema Award. The 79th edition runs August 13-19 across several venues in Edinburgh.
Branagh will participate in a career conversation at the festival. On the morning of his appearance, EIFF will screen his 1996 adaptation of Hamlet, which he wrote, directed, and starred in. It remains one of the most complete acts of singular creative authorship in the Shakespeare-on-film canon.
Ewan McGregor also headlines the programme for a separate in-conversation session. His presence coincides with a special 30th anniversary screening of Trainspotting, the 1996 Danny Boyle film shot largely in Edinburgh. Cast members will provide live commentary during the screening, and author Irvine Welsh will follow with a DJ set at Leith Theatre.
The festival’s competitive section features 10 world premieres vying for the Sean Connery Prize, a £50,000 award decided by audience vote. The full programme includes 21 feature film world premieres across all sections. Opening the festival is The Incomer, starring Domhnall Gleeson and Gayle Rankin. The closing film, Bel, directed by Louise Lockwood, screens as a world premiere on August 19.
Festival CEO and director Paul Ridd said: “Heading into the third edition of our revamped, reimagined and reinvigorated Edinburgh International Film Festival feels like hitting a stride.”