University of Edinburgh to honour creator of The Illusionist

The award-winning film-maker Sylvain Chomet who lovingly put Scotland and Edinburgh on screen in the animated hit The Illusionist after a five-year sojourn in the city, is set to receive an honorary degree from the University of Edinburgh in November.

Chomet, who has settled back in his native France and is working on a new live action feature, will have the doctorate bestowed by Sir Timothy O’Shea, vice-chancellor and principal at a ceremony in the McEwan Hall on 28 November during the run of the 20th edition of the French Film Festival UK of which he remains patron.

The degree ceremony will be followed the following day by a civic reception at the City Chambers in honour of the French Film Festival and Chomet, and will be hosted by the Lord Provost, Donald Wilson.

Chomet and his wife Sally, his producer on The Illusionist, which won a BAFTA, said they were delighted by the honour. “I am looking forward to returning to the city that I grew to love so much during my time there,” said Chomet.

Richard Mowe, a film 
critic and director of the French Film Festival, said: “It is wonderful that the city’s most venerable University has seen fit to honour the talents of Sylvain.”