Brave to close Edinburgh Film Festival

Scots-set Pixar animation to premiere at 66th edition

by Amber Wilkinson

Pixar's Brave
Pixar's Brave

Pixar animation will have its European premiere as the closing night film at Edinburgh Film Festival.

The announcement that the Scottish-set film about a young princess who goes on an adventure to break a curse was made by Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond in a speech at VisitScotland's Winning Years conference in Perth.

It follows in a line of Disney-Pixar UK premieres that have come to Edinburgh in recent years, including The Lion King 3D, Toy Story 3 and Ratatouille.

Salmond said: “I am delighted to announce that Hollywood will roll into town during the Edinburgh International Film Festival when we host the European premiere of Brave.

"This will present us with an immense opportunity when Scotland will be centre stage in the film with all the tourism and business opportunities this will bring. I fully expect that as the film launches across the world, so will awareness of Scotland increase.

The announcement about the film - which features the vocal talents of Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Kevin McKidd and Robbie Coltrane - comes just days after VisitScotland revealed it had joined forces with Disney-Pixar in a campaign which is designed to promote Scottish tourism across the world and bring a boost to the Scottish economy.

The premiere will provide a showpiece finale for the Edinburgh International Film Festival in June and will set the scene for the UK general release of the movie in August.

Chris Fujiwara, Artistic Director, Edinburgh International Film Festival, said: “We're delighted to host the premiere of Brave and continue the Festival’s long relationship with Disney.

"Though we are an international film festival, we're mindful that we have a special responsibility to Scotland's cinematic image. It makes perfect sense that this film, which is so strongly tied to the cultural mythology of Scotland and the beauty of the Scottish landscape, and in which Scottish talent has such a significant involvement, should be part of our festival.”

Salmond added: “Brave will be the most high-profile film ever set in, and themed around, Scotland, featuring Scottish stars. We are looking at a film which comes from the award-winning team behind such box office smashes as Toy Story, Finding Nemo and Up, and will create global buzz when it is released.”

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