The British Embassy Berlin this week [10 February 2017] hosted this year’s Berlinale reception to celebrate the 70th anniversary year of the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF).
Scottish Secretary David Mundell and British Ambassador to Germany Sir Sebastian Wood held the event at the embassy for the first time. The reception is key to engaging the world’s film industry in Edinburgh’s film festival. The EIFF runs from 21 June to 2 July in the city.
David Mundell said:
This is a momentous year for the EIFF, as it celebrates its 70th anniversary. It focuses the world’s cinema industry on Scotland, while showcasing some of the most interesting and entertaining films in the world.
I am very pleased that the UK Government hosted EIFF’s Berlinale reception at the British Embassy. The world’s film industry will be gathered in Berlin, making it a great opportunity to show off this year’s EIFF. I hope that many will be able to join us in Edinburgh for the festival in June.
Sir Sebastian Wood said:
This evening we are celebrating two major international film festivals: the Berlinale and the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF). In its 70th anniversary year, the EIFF will no doubt have a particularly exciting programme on offer this summer. So I am delighted to be able to welcome the Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell, among our guests here in the Embassy this evening.
It is also great to see Danny Boyle’s ‘T2 Trainspotting’ have its international premiere in Berlin – hopefully the sequel will be just as successful as its predecessor.
Edinburgh’s festivals are hugely important in economic terms, as well as putting Scotland and the UK on the international cultural map. In 2015 it was estimated that the Edinburgh festivals generated £313m of additional expenditure in the Scottish economy.
While in Berlin Mr Mundell also met the Aberdeen-based James Hutton Institute at the Fruit Logistica agri show, and met academics from the Freie University to hear about their partnership with Glasgow University.
Mr Mundell was in Berlin on the second day of a two-day programme of European engagements on economic, social and cultural matters.
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