EIFF to start with Puzzle

Kelly Macdonald drama to open 72nd edition

by Amber Wilkinson

Kelly Macdonald as Agnes and Irrfan Khan as Robert in Puzzle, which will open EIFF
Kelly Macdonald as Agnes and Irrfan Khan as Robert in Puzzle, which will open EIFF Photo: Courtesy of EIFF

Marc Turtletaub’s Puzzle has been announced as the opening gala of this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival on June 20. The drama stars Scots actress Kelly Macdonald as under-appreciated housewife and mum Agnes whose newly discovered talent for completing jigsaw puzzles begins to quietly change other aspects of her life.

Kelly Macdonald is expected to attend the gala
Kelly Macdonald is expected to attend the gala Photo: Courtesy of EIFF

Irrfan Khan stars alongside Macdonald as a charismatic fellow puzzle solver who also holds out a possibility of a different tack, if she wants it. Macdonald puts in a tour de force performance in the central role, exploring the ways that Agnes is even an enigma to herself.

Macdonald and Turtletaub are both expected to attend the festival.

Artistic director of EIFF Mark Adams said: “We are thrilled to be able to celebrate the undeniable talent of Kelly Macdonald in this wonderfully enjoyable and uplifting film. It is a subtle and impressive new film that succeeds on all levels.”

Turtletaub added: "It's a great honour to be invited to have Puzzle open Edinburgh International Film Festival 2018. This world class festival has been a personal favourite for a long time - and being able to showcase Kelly’s performance here makes it even more rewarding.”

The full programme of the EIFF – which runs from June 20 to July 1 - will be announced on May 23. Tickets for Puzzle are on sale now from the EIFF website. Puzzle will be released across the UK by Sony Pictures this summer.

  • Read our interview with composer Dustin O’Halloran about scoring the Puzzle
  • Share this with others on...
    News

    Stories still unspoken Interview with Thomas Pollack, Andrew McNeill and Katarina Kokenyova about Rozkvet

    Where crows are watching JP Davidson and Craig Russell on nature, belief, UK horror and The Cull

    Truth and lies Sean Hogan on true crime documentaries, unknowable characters and The Dark Gets In

    A walking contradiction Sinéad O'Shea on James 'Fergie' Chambers Jr and All About The Money

    Unconventional families Milcho Manchevski on being blacklisted and making Sister Brother Manhole Cover

    Expecting the unexpected Jordan Mark Windsor and Sean Wallace on Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant

    More news and features

    We're bringing you all the latest news and reviews from the Belfast Film Festival, the Cheltenham International Film Festival and the Leeds International Film Festival.



    We're looking forward to the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, the French Film Festival and DOC NYC.



    We've recently brought you coverage of Halloween Frightfest, the Scottish Queer International Film Festival, Newfest, the London Film Festival, the New York Film Festival, Grimmfest and Beyond Fest.



    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, Instagram and Bluesky.


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


    Sundance Announces Legacy line-up of archive films


    Frightfest Newcastle event announced for May 2027


    French Film Festival UK Programme announced


    Tallinn Black Nights Documentary line-up and Special Screenings announced


    London Winners announced