The relaunched Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has just unveiled that the UK Premiere of Fede Alvarez‘ (Don’t Breathe, Evil Dead) sci-fi shocker Alien: Romulus will open the festival’s brand new Midnight Madness strand.
Directed by Alvarez and co-written with frequent collaborator Rodo Sayagues (Don’t Breathe 2), the latest Alien film returns the franchise to its roots. The story follows a group of young space colonists who, while scavenging a derelict space station, encounter the most terrifying lifeform in the universe – the iconic Xenomorph.
The film stars Cailee Spaeny (Priscilla), David Jonsson (“Agatha Christie’s Murder is Easy”), Archie Renaux (“Shadow and Bone”), Isabela Merced (“The Last of Us”), Spike Fearn (Aftersun), and Aileen Wu and will screen at EIFF on August 15 before being released by 20th Century Studios in the UK and Ireland on August 16.
EIFF’s brand new Midnight Madness strand will run throughout the festival in August. EIFF recently announced that the closing night Midnight Madness film will be Coralie Fargeat’s dark body horror, The Substance, on August 20. Additionally, the festival will host a special Midnight Madness preview screening of Chris Nash’s audacious arthouse slasher, In A Violent Nature, on Thursday, July 11 at the Cameo Cinema.
Commenting on today’s announcement, EIFF Director, Paul Ridd said: “We are absolutely ecstatic to be the UK premiere host for this viciously entertaining new vision for the ALIEN franchise from one of the most exciting horror filmmakers currently working. Fede Alvarez brings a sense of tradition and legacy, as well as gory originality and swagger to the table, and we can think of no better way to open our Midnight Madness programme than with this showstopping new film. Plus knowing that Ridley Scott’s seminal original ALIEN also played a midnight UK premiere at the Festival back in 1979 is the icing on a spectacular, albeit very gnarly, cake. Bring it on.”
From August 15 to August 21 2024, the 77th edition of EIFF will take place at unique venues in Edinburgh, including Summerhall and the historic Cameo cinema, allowing audiences to seamlessly experience the best of the Fringe along with the world-class programme of cinema at EIFF. Submissions to EIFF have now closed with more information available at www.edfilmfest.org.
The full EIFF programme will launch on Wednesday 10 July at 5pm, with tickets going on sale on Thursday 11 July at 12 noon.
