EIFF director's tenure will largely be seen as success

HANNAH McGill has had unprecedented challenges and upheaval to contend with since succeeding Australian Shane Danielsen as artistic director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival. But her tenure is likely to be largely viewed as a success.

Relocating the event from August was seen by many as an admission that EIFF, which was launched in 1947, could no longer compete with events like Toronto and Venice.

However audience numbers are thought to have held up well, the festival has been able to branch out into other venues for screenings and gala parties, and major stars have been persuaded to come to the city outwith August. Highlights have included this year's opener, The Illusionist, right, the first screening at EIFF's new gala venue, the Festival Theatre.

EIFF has provided a platform for films like The Hurt Locker and Knocked Up, but critics have complained that many high-profile films have already been seen by the time they make it here.