Edinburgh Film Festival delays launch of programme

ORGANISERS of Scotland's leading film festival have defended their decision to delay the unveiling of its programme until only two weeks before the event begins.

Film fans will have less than a fortnight to purchase tickets before the ten-day Edinburgh International Film Festival starts next month.

The unveiling of its line-up, which has taken place in early May since the event moved from its traditional August slot, has been put back by four weeks to avoid competing directly with the Cannes Film Festival.

Some film-makers and distributors were apparently reluctant to commit to inclusion in the festival until they knew whether or not they were going to Cannes.

Film festival director Hannah McGill apologised for any inconvenience but insisted the move would mean the event missing out on fewer new films in future.

She said: "The decision was taken to allow us more time to make the programme as strong as it can be.

"Our marketing people are confident our ticket sales won't be affected."