Big-name Hollywood head to Edinburgh fest

EDINBURGH, Scotland, July 11 (UPI) -- Award-winning stars from both sides of the Atlantic will be part of the line-up for this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival.

In addition, the festival will serve as the British launch for Academy Award-winning Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Foundation, an organization that restores classics of world cinema before they become lost, The Scotsman reported Wednesday.

Attendees also can catch the British premiere of "Hallam Foe," shot in Edinburgh, during the opening night gala. Several films also will have their British premieres during the Aug. 15-26 festival, including Pixar's animated hit "Ratatouille," Quentin Tarantino's "Death Proof," recut after its debut in "Grindhouse," and "Breach," starring Academy Award winner Chris Cooper as the CIA mole.

Actors and other film-associated luminaries scheduled to participate in discussion panels include Cooper, Bob Hoskins, Samantha Morton, Stellan Skarsgard, "Trainspotting" author Irvine Welsh and director Mike Leigh.

"We're really focusing on the written word this year and are collaborating with the city's other festivals for events and talks with screenwriters," a festival spokesman said.

As many as 200,000 people are expected to attend screenings and special events during the 12-day festival.