Edinburgh Film Festival Unveils Star-Studded Industry Programme for 2026

The Edinburgh Film Festival has announced its highly anticipated industry programme for 2026, featuring a diverse range of guests, talks, and networking opportunities for film professionals. The programme will run throughout the festival’s 2026 edition, taking place from August 13 to 19.

The festival’s inaugural UK Film Conference will kick off on August 15, with a session titled ‘The Future of Independent Film in the UK.’ British Film Institute CEO Ben Roberts and Clare Binns will engage in an in-depth conversation about the future of independent film in the UK. This will be followed by a session focusing on low-budget filmmaking and how UK producers are adapting to an ever-changing landscape.

The EIFF Industry session ‘Would This Get Made?’ will be an innovative concept where industry professionals will be quizzed on how they would approach the production of a range of projects from the past if they came across their desks in 2026. The session will feature speakers including producer Christine Vachon, Stefanie Fahrion (Film4), Alice Ojha (BBC Film), Laura Wilson (Altitude), and Simon Renshaw (Casarotto Ramsay & Associates). The session will be hosted by Wendy Mitchell.

The EIFF Industry Talk session ‘New Nightmares’ will conclude the UK Film Conference, with speakers discussing the current state of genre work embracing its moment. Speakers include actor and filmmaker Max Minghella (The Handmaid’s Tale, Clayface), filmmakers Prano Bailey-Bond (Censor), Chee Keong Cheung (Bad Day at the Office), and Joby Stephens (Abandoned). Horror content creator Chris Mayo (Big Fat Cult) will host the session.

Documentary filmmaker Paul Sng will host a session titled ‘Unmaking the Colonial Gaze in Cinema,’ while Bruce Dern will take part in a career Q&A with film critic Guy Lodge. The EIFF Industry Networking Brunch in partnership with Women in Film and Television will also be held on August 14, featuring an EIFF Industry Talk with veteran indie producer Christine Vachon hosted by journalist Wendy Mitchell. An on-stage EIFF In Conversation session with legendary documentary filmmaker Ken Burns will also take place, hosted by journalist Dave Calhoun.

EIFF CEO and Festival Director, Paul Ridd, said, ‘We could not be prouder of this year’s Industry Programme at EIFF, which offers up a diverse and starry range of guests, talks, lively discussions, and networking opportunities for Scottish, UK, and international folk looking to make connections and hear from some leading experts in their fields.’

The Edinburgh Film Festival’s industry programme is a testament to its commitment to being the home of independent cinema in the UK. With a star-studded lineup featuring Christine Vachon, Ewan McGregor, and Sarah Brocklehurst, among others, this year’s industry programme promises to be an unforgettable experience for film professionals.

Industry Programme Highlights:

• EIFF Industry Networking Brunch in partnership with Women in Film and Television
• EIFF Industry Talk with Christine Vachon hosted by Wendy Mitchell
• EIFF In Conversation session with Ken Burns hosted by Dave Calhoun
• EIFF Industry session ‘Would This Get Made?’ hosted by Wendy Mitchell
• EIFF Industry Talk session ‘New Nightmares’ hosted by Chris Mayo
• Documentary filmmaker Paul Sng’s session ‘Unmaking the Colonial Gaze in Cinema’
• Career Q&A with Bruce Dern hosted by film critic Guy Lodge

The Edinburgh Film Festival’s industry programme is an exciting opportunity for film professionals to network, learn, and grow. With its diverse range of guests, talks, and networking opportunities, this year’s programme promises to be an unforgettable experience.