Gene Kelly opened th 1956 Edinburgh Film Festival with a showing of his film 'Invitation to the Dance' attended by the Queen.placeholder image
Gene Kelly opened th 1956 Edinburgh Film Festival with a showing of his film 'Invitation to the Dance' attended by the Queen.

Edinburgh International Film Festival Heritage in Pictures: Here are 34 photos of the stars walking the red carpet over the years - from Kylie Minogue to Gene Kelly

With excitement growing ahead of this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival, we’re taking a trip down memory lane.

First held way back in 1947, the Edinburgh International Film Festival is the is the world's oldest continually running event of its kind.

Despite not being quite as high profile as the likes of Cannes, Venice or Sundance, the festival has attracted its fair share of stars over the year - recent high-profile actors to have walked the red carpet include Jennifer Lawrence, Sigourney Weaver, Greta Gerwig, Kevin Bacon, Elijah Wood, Clint Eastwood, Kylie Minogue, Cate Blanchett and Tilda Swinton.

It has also hosted premieres of many box office blockbuster and critical hits including Blade Runner, Alien, Back to the Future, Taxi Driver, Annie Hall, The Usual Suspects, Amelie, and The Hurt Locker.

The closing of its home at Edinburgh’s Filmhouse cinema in 2023 threatened the festival’s future but a truncated edition that year was followed by a resurgence in 2024.

Festival Director Paul Ridd will be presenting his third edition of cinematic excellence this year, with the event running from August 13-19.

Film fans will be able to enjoy a feast of premieres and big name guests, including Sir Kenneth Branagh, Scottish superstar Ewan McGregor and Hollywood great Bruce Dern.

Here are 34 amazing pictures of some of the stars who have attended in the past.

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