Domhnall Gleeson, Alan Cumming and Ewan McGregor Lead Star - Studded Line - up at Edinburgh International Film Festival 2026

The Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has unveiled another impressive wave of guests set to attend this year’s festival, with Domhnall Gleeson, Alan Cumming, Ashley Benson, John Hannah, Tom Courtenay, Radha Mitchell, Stacy Martin, Fionn Whitehead and Irvine Welsh among the latest names confirmed.

Running from 13 to 19 August 2026, this year’s festival promises an outstanding mix of premieres, filmmaker discussions, anniversary celebrations and industry events, reinforcing Edinburgh’s reputation as one of the UK’s premier showcases for independent cinema.

Opening and Closing Night

Opening the festival is The Incomer, the debut feature from Edinburgh-born filmmaker Louis Paxton. Attending the UK premiere will be Paxton alongside stars Domhnall Gleeson, Grant O’Rourke, Gayle Rankin and John Hannah.

Closing the festival will be Louise Lockwood’s documentary Bel, with the director and contributor Leah McAleer attending the screening.

Major Premieres

Among the headline world premieres is Borges and Me, a 1970s-set Scottish road movie memoir. Director Marc Turtletaub will be joined by Alan Cumming and Fionn Whitehead for the premiere.

The Sean Connery Prize competition also brings an impressive selection of filmmakers and cast members to Edinburgh, including:

• Ashley Benson, Sadie Stanley and Madelaine Petsch for Pretty Babies
• Bruce Dern for Northbound
• Tom Courtenay for Queen at Sea
• Sam Bottomley, Callum Scott Howells and Safia Oakley Green for The State of Us
• Olivia Luccardi for Sacred Creatures
• Griffin Gluck and Sarah Catherine Hook for Capsized

Other anticipated premieres include Extra Geography, These Violent Delights, The Education of Jane Cumming, Mission, Snapshot, Skintown and First Zone.

Celebrating Trainspotting

One of the festival’s biggest events will undoubtedly be the special 30th anniversary screening of Trainspotting at the historic Leith Theatre.

The celebration will reunite many of the film’s key creative figures, including:

• Ewan McGregor
• Ewen Bremner
• Screenwriter John Hodge
• Author Irvine Welsh
• Producer Andrew Macdonald
• Production designer Kave Quinn
• Costume designer Rachael Fleming

The screening is expected to be one of the festival’s standout events.

Midnight Madness Returns

The ever-popular Midnight Madness strand once again delivers an exciting selection of genre cinema.

Opening the programme is Bad Day at the Office, with director Chee Keong Cheung joined by Radha Mitchell and John Hannah.

Other Midnight Madness guests include:

• James Nunn for Hungry
• Nick Nevern alongside Tamer Hassan, Leo Gregory and Vanessa Bauer for Rise of the Footsoldier: Retribution
• Joby Stephens with Grace Gallagher and Cameron Wright for Abandoned
• Caleb Phillips for Imposters
• Daniel Goldhaber and writer Isa Mazzei for Faces of Death

Shorts and Documentary Highlights

Acclaimed actress Stacy Martin will present her directorial debut short film Amaretti, while filmmakers competing for the Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking Excellence will also attend throughout the festival.

The documentary programme includes appearances from renowned filmmaker Ken Burns, along with directors Maria Sødahl, Tamra Davis, Carlos Conceição, Finlay Pretsell and Abdolreza Kahani.

Previously Announced Guests

The latest announcement builds on an already impressive guest list that includes:

• Kenneth Branagh
• Christine Vachon
• Ken Burns
• Max Minghella
• Prano Bailey-Bond
• Sarah Brocklehurst
• Miriam Battye
• Paul Sng

Edinburgh Continues Its Revival

Under the leadership of CEO and Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa, the Edinburgh International Film Festival continues its renewed focus on championing independent filmmaking, discovering new talent and bringing major international guests to Scotland.

Supported by Screen Scotland, the BFI Audience Projects Fund, Creative Scotland and VisitScotland, the 2026 edition looks set to be one of the festival’s strongest in recent years.

With world premieres, celebrated filmmakers, rising talent and a remarkable collection of film stars descending on Edinburgh this August, EIFF 2026 is shaping up to be an unmissable week for film lovers.

Edinburgh International Film Festival takes place from 13 to 19 August 2026. Tickets for all screenings and events are on sale now.