Film Festival opening with city animation

THE Oscar-nominated animator who chose the Capital to inspire his new film will see it take pride of place at Edinburgh's annual film festival in June.

The Illusionist – mostly set in 1950s Scotland – will be the first film to get the red-carpet treatment at the flagship new venue for galas, the Festival Theatre.

Scotland's biggest-ever movie production was masterminded by Frenchman Sylvain Chomet.

The Festival's artistic director, Hannah McGill, said the film would make "a terrific opening night that will draw the eyes of the world and showcase Scotland as the perfect stage for international cultural events".

The Illusionist features the likes of Arthur's Seat, Jenners and Waverley Station in classic 2D.

Mr Chomet, who will attend the premiere, moved to Scotland shortly after visiting for the UK premiere of Belleville Rendez-Vous, which earned him an Oscar nomination. He lives in North Berwick with wife Sally. He said: "Things have now come full circle since I first came to the festival in Edinburgh, and I'm very excited about the premiere in Edinburgh."