Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) is delighted to announce Scott Graham’s beautifully shot drama, IONA, will close the 69th edition of the Festival on Sunday 28 June at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh where it will receive its World Premiere.
Shot entirely on location in Scotland, the film stars Ruth Negga (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D), Douglas Henshall (Shetland), Tom Brooke (The Boat That Rocked) and Michelle Duncan (Atonement), with remarkable debuts by two young Scottish actors, Ben Gallagher and Sorcha Groundsell. IONA is director Scott Graham’s second film following his award winning Shell in 2012.
Director Scott Graham said: ‘I discovered many films and filmmakers at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Edinburgh was my home all through my twenties and it was in venues like Filmhouse and the Cameo where I learned the value of the stories we tell and the emotions we share. I’m thrilled IONA will have its premiere here and doubly thrilled it will close the Festival. What an honour.’
Part coming-of-age story and part returning-home drama, Graham’s striking and enthralling film is set against the stunning backdrop of the Hebridean island of Iona. Named after her birthplace, Iona, played by Ruth Negga, returns to the island with her teenage son to seek refuge from a violent crime in Glasgow. Iona’s return exposes her tormented son Bull to a way of life she rejected when she left the island as a teenager and sends a shock wave through the family she left behind.
Mark Adams, Artistic Director of EIFF said: “We are thrilled to be closing this year’s Festival with Scott Graham’s lovely, moving and enthralling Iona. He is a striking cinematic talent and the film will wrap this year’s Festival in the perfect way.”
IONA is produced by Margaret Matheson and co-produced by Gunter Hanfgarn. The film is executive produced by Christopher Collins, Lizzie Francke, Ian Davies and Rebecca Long and is set for release in the UK later this year. The film is co-financed by the BFI and Creative Scotland.
Source: EIFF
