Move proves a blockbuster success for film festival

SALES figures from the Edinburgh International Film Festival suggest its historic move to June has kept audiences healthy and sharply increased interest from the film industry.

Admissions to the festival, which wraps up tomorrow, were up 3 per cent on August last year. Box-office receipts were up 5 per cent. "Walk-in" sales may have risen as people did not have to plan around other festivals.

Last year, the EIFF's move was seen as a gamble, but the backing of Sir Sean Connery and appearances by Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller and Brian Cox launched the date change with a splash.

"I'm thinking the June move was an even better move than I thought," said the festival's artistic director, Hannah McGill. "I didn't think anyone expected the box office to rise."

The film industry also responded, with the number of registered "delegates" rising from 575 to 800. The accredited press list went from 518 to 618.