Move over Braveheart, new star's in town

The animated feature The Illusionist is set to become one of the most significant movies for Scotland's film industry after being nominated for an Oscar, it was claimed yesterday.

Experts believe it could rank alongside the likes of Braveheart, Trainspotting, Shallow Grave and The Da Vinci Code in terms of the international exposure it secures the nation's film industry.

Officials charged with attracting films to Edinburgh, where the bulk of the animated feature is set telling the story of an out-of-work French magician, are gearing up for a huge wave of interest in the city as a potential home for new movies because of its prominence on screen.

The film is already thought to have generated at least 10 million for the city's economy after director Sylvain Chomet spent several years in Edinburgh working with an 80-strong team of animators while the film was being made.

Mark Cousins, creative director at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, said The Illusionist was likely to be the most important film for cultural tourism in Scotland since Braveheart and hailed the film as the greatest single art forum to capture Edinburgh's beauty.

Mr Cousins said: "There have been some great Edinburgh films in the past like The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and Trainspotting, but they have been more about the characters rather than the city itself. I don't think there is any other work of art I've seen which captures Edinburgh. In terms of cultural tourism I can see it having the biggest impact of any film made in Scotland since Braveheart."

VisitScotland, which is planning a string of international campaigns on the back of the film's Oscar nomination and its DVD release in the UK next month, has hailed The Illusionist for providing one of the "classic portrayals of Scotland" on screen. It is expected to boost Scotland's reputation as a hotspot for film fans who flock to find their favourite locations.

VisitScotland Chairman Mike Cantlay said: "After many classic portrayals of Scotland over the years, I fully expect this film join these ranks. Visiting film locations plays a major role in the tourism industry in Scotland, and with this film in the global spotlight I fully expect this to grow."

Ros Davis, production liaison manager at Edinburgh Film Focus, said the agency would be working with VisitScotland to capitalise on The Illusionist's Oscar nomination.

"A film like The Illusionist, where Edinburgh is clearly Edinburgh on screen, is obviously a very big marketing opportunity and can have an impact for years to come. It didn't have a big release but the Oscar nomination will mean it will be seen by so many more people.The film is so special because it makes Edinburgh appear so magical."

Among the locations featured prominently are Arthur's Seat, Princes Street, Jenners, the Cameo Cinema, and the New Town, as well as Mull, in the West Highlands.

The Illusionist, which has been hailed as "an animated love letter to Edinburgh," has been attracting growing acclaim since it was chosen to open the capital's film festival last summer. It will compete with Toy Story 3 and How To Train Your Dragon for the best animated film honour at the Academy Awards in March.

The film tells the story of a down-on-his-luck magician who tries to revive his career by travelling from Paris to the Western Isles, before trying his luck in Edinburgh.

Caroline Parkinson at Creative Scotland said: "An Oscar nomination is an incredible achievement for Chomet's film, which with its beautifully crafted animated is a wonderful calling card for both Edinburgh and Scotland."