Here Today to close EIFF

Billy Crystal comedy will wrap 74th edition

by Amber Wilkinson

Tiffany Haddish and Billy Crystal in Here Today
Tiffany Haddish and Billy Crystal in Here Today Photo: Courtesy of EIFF
Edinburgh International Film Festival has announced the 74th edition of the festival will close on August 25 with Billy Crystal's comedy drama Here Today.

Crystal who directs for the first time in 20 years, produced, co-wrote and stars in the film alongside Tiffany Haddish.

The film, which will screen at Edinburgh Filmhouse, tells the story of the unlikely friendship that develops between a comedy writer (Crystal) and a New York singer (Haddish).

Crystal said: "I'm thrilled that Here Today has been selected to close the Edinburgh International Film Festival 2021. To have an audience sit inside a cinema together and share the experience of this film after these unusual times makes me very happy.”

Nick Varley, lead guest programmer for this year's festival added: “We are thrilled to be closing this year’s festival with Here Today. Billy Crystal has created a wonderfully charming and touching film about friendship and growing old. The onscreen chemistry between him and Tiffany Haddish is just a joy to watch. Bring your hankies and prepare to shed tears of laughter and sadness”

The festival runs from August 18 to 25 and Here Today will be released in UK cinemas on September 3.

Share this with others on...
News

Streaming Spotlight: the rites of Spring We shine our Beltane spotlight on films in which the old ways linger

Fighting fit for a debut feature Valéry Carnoy talks toxic masculinity, memory, confidence and Belgian 'soft-power'

Collective power We look ahead at the programme of this year's Folk Film Gathering

Writing hidden messages Arnaud Desplechin on guilt, melodrama, feeling haunted, and Two Pianos

Clever crafting with Idiots Chris Barfoot on his six-camera set up and three-day shoot of his debut feature

'You get in the car, you go somewhere, you have an experience' Cole Webley and John Magaro on poignant road trip Omaha

More news and features

We're bringing you news and reviews from the San Francisco Independent Film Festival and Visions du Réel.



We're looking forward to Queer East and Cannes.



We've recently brought you coverage of Fantaspoa, Overlook, BFI Flare and SXSW, the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival, the NY Rendezvous with French Cinema, the Glasgow Film Festival, the Berlinale, Sundance and Palm Springs.



Read our full for more.


Visit our festivals section.

Interact

Don't forget that you can follow us on YouTube for trailers of festival films and more. You can also find us on Mastodon and Bluesky.


It's a busy time for festivals and here's the latest from the spring events:


Cannes 16 titles added to line-up


Cannes Carla Simón heads short film jury


Cannes Directors' Fortnight selection


Cannes Payal Kapadia heads Critics' Week jury