Editor

The Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF), the longest continually running film festival in the world, announced today that David Mackenzie’s romantic drama “Hallam Foe” will be the opening film of this year’s festival. The announcement was made today by the Festival’s Artistic Director, Hannah McGill.

“Hallam Foe” stars BAFTA award winner Jamie Bell (“Flags of Our Fathers,” “King Kong,” “Billy Elliott”) in the title role along with Sophia Myles (“Underworld,” “Tristan + Isolde”), Ciaran Hinds (HBO’s “Rome,” “Munich,” “Miami Vice”) and Claire Forlani (“The Rock,” “Meet Joe Black,” “Hooligans”).

David Mackenzie (“Young Adam”) directed “Hallam Foe” from a script he and Ed Whitmore adapted from Peter Jinks’ novel of the same title. Gillian Berrie produced the film. Executive producers are Duncan Reid, Peter Touche and Matthew Justice.

In the film, Hallam Foe is a sweet and old fashioned boy who learns about life at his father's estate through his favorite pastime -- voyeurism. He's convinced that his stepmother is responsible for his mother's suicide. His voyeurism becomes dangerous, but eventually he is redeemed and his pain is assuaged by love.

It was announced earlier this year that the official theme of this year’s film festival would be “The Written Word,” which makes “Hallam Foe” an ideal choice for the opening film as it is an adaptation of a Scottish novel - largely set and shot in Edinburgh.

Commented McGill, “'Hallam Foe’ is a stunning achievement by all concerned - a film with an unforgettable atmosphere and some of the finest performances of the year. We're enormously proud to have the film open what we anticipate to be a landmark film festival."

Robert Mitchell, SVP and MD Buena Vista International (UK) added "Hallam Foe is a hugely accomplished piece of film-making and we are delighted the film has been selected to open the 61st EIFF. Hallam Foe presents a beautiful vision of Edinburgh and is crafted by one of Scotland's most respected filmmakers. We wish Hannah McGill every success with the Festival in her first year as Artistic Director."

"Hallam Foe" was filmed on location in Edinburgh and Scottish Borders Region.

Buena Vista International will release the film in the UK later this summer on August 31. Magnolia Pictures will release the film in the US.

EIFF 2007 takes place this year from August 15 through August 26. The EIFF official 2007 programme will be announced on Wednesday, July 11, 2007.

About the Edinburgh International Film Festival:
Started in 1947, the EIFF is one of the true homes of innovative and exciting cinema. For over half-a-century, the Festival has presented some of cinema's most important and exciting moments and played host to the world's greatest filmmakers.

The EIFF is the longest continually running Film Festival in the world and has screened notable films over the last few years including, “Little Miss Sunshine,” “An Inconvenient Truth,” “Mutual Appreciation,” “London to Brighton,” "Tsotsi," "The Full Monty," "Love is the Devil," "Ratcatcher," "East is East," "Run Lola Run," "Billy Elliot," "Amores Perros," "Amélie," "Young Adam," "Infernal Affairs," "American Splendor," "Motorcycle Diaries," "Old Boy" and "Hero."