This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Film festival gets extra support
14/08/2006
Edinburgh's International Film Festival is set to receive extra funding, it was announced today as this year's festival got under way.
Scottish Screen - the country's national film agency - has allocated an additional £150,000 and the cash injection will unlock further additional funding of £50,000 from the City of Edinburgh Council and £50,000 from the UK Film Council.
Culture Ministewr Patricia Ferguson said:
"I am pleased that Scottish Screen has been able to respond so positively by giving additional financial backing to Edinburgh's International Film Festival.
"It will ensure that in this, its sixtieth year, the festival will once again present a varied programme brimful of innovative and exciting cinema."
Ken Hay, Chief Executive of Scottish Screen, said:
"The Edinburgh International Film Festival is one of the most important in the world.
"It has, for the last sixty years, attracted a wide range of international stars, productions and filmmakers to Edinburgh bringing that extra bit of glamour to city and giving audiences the chance to enjoy a great programme of films and events.
"We are delighted to support this important festival".
Ginnie Atkinson, Managing Director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival, said:
"This extra funding is a much needed investment and is an acknowledgement of the EIFF's importance in the arts in Scotland and internationally. It is much appreciated especially in our 60th year."
"This represents a significant increase in the public funding which enables us to maximise the impact of the festival and build for the future."