Scots actress Karen Gillan has been announced as a patron of the Edinburgh International Film Festival’s The Young & the Wild strand.
Born in Inverness in 1987, Karen is best known for her role as Amy Pond in Doctor Who, and for portraying Nebula in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy films, a role which she is set to reprise in Avengers: Infinity War this year.
Most recently, she starred as the female lead in the global box office hit Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.
Scots actress Karen Gillan, from Inverness
The Film Festival has today (Thursday) revealed the Scottish Youth Theatre alumni will take on the role.
The newly expanded strand will significantly increase the Festival’s programming of screenings and events for young audiences interested in filmmaking and the moving image industries. The Young & the Wild is supported by the Year of Young People 2018 event fund, managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Event Directorate.
Off the screen, Karen is an avid writer and director with her first feature film, The Party’s Just Beginning, currently in post-production. Her debut short film Coward received its world premiere at EIFF in 2015.
She said: ‘I am delighted that EventScotland is supporting EIFF’s The Young & the Wild programme for the Year of Young People 2018.
‘This builds on the great work EIFF has been doing for the past four years in developing and inspiring young people who have a passion for cinema. Through this programme young people will be able to access great international cinema, but more importantly learn from filmmakers from around the world who will visit EIFF in June.’
Inverness’ Karen Gillan found worldwide fame as Amy Pond in Doctor Who
Edinburgh International Film Festival deputy artistic director, Diane Henderson said: ‘For our 72nd Festival in June we’re delighted to be able to expand on our popular youth strand The Young & the Wild.
‘To have support from Karen Gillan, one of Scotland’s most treasured and successful actor/writer/directors, is a huge honour for us. Karen is already one of our esteemed Honorary Patrons and to have this additional support from her means a great deal to all of us here at EIFF.’
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s director of events said: ‘We are delighted that Karen Gillan will be the patron for Edinburgh International Film Festival’s Year of Young People strand The Young and the Wild.
‘The expansion of the festival’s youth element for the Year of Young People is a great opportunity for young people to learn about the film industry, showcase their creative talents and develop new skills.
‘It is great to see prominent figures in Scottish culture, such as Karen Gillan, supporting EIFF during the Year of Young People. It will be without doubt an inspiration for young people and her patronage shows why Scotland truly is the perfect stage for events.’
Karen Gillan meets her fans in Glasgow in 2010
In 2018, Scotland puts its young people in the spotlight, celebrating their talents, contributions and creating new opportunities for them to shine.
The Year of Young People 2018 is a year-long programme of events and activities that will give young people in Scotland the opportunity to show the world what they are made of.
As part of these celebrations, The Young & the Wild will offer inspirational screenings and hands-on events for young people interested in filmmaking and the moving image industries, including practical filmmaking workshops for primary and secondary schools; in-person events; masterclasses with world-class filmmakers; and special careers events for 15-25 year-olds. EIFF will also launch a Scottish Young Filmmaker Competition for 14-25 year-olds, with the shortlisted films screening at a special event at the Festival.
The 72nd EIFF runs from 20 June-1 July, 2018.
Follow EIFF The Young & the Wild on Facebook (@EIFFYoungWild), Twitter (@EIFFYoungWild) and Instagram (@eiffyoungwild).
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