The Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) begins today, yet again bringing top international film-making achievements to Scottish soil.

Formerly part of the Edinburgh International Festival held every year August, EIFF now stands in its own right as one of the key film festivals in the UK. Now in its 64^th edition, EIFF presents a 12 day programme of international and national premieres and special events.

Highlights in this year's festival offering include the premieres of anticipated British films like comedian Ben Miller's debut feature Huge, starring Noel Clarke (4.3.2.1), Cherry Tree Lane, by Paul Andrew Williams (London to Brighton) and London-shot stop-motion WWII satire Jackboots on Whitehall.

The festival, which counts Sir Sean Connery and Tilda Swinton amongst its patrons, prides itself in being a platform for boundary-pushing film-making. The festival's respected strand Under the Radar is dedicated to discovering and showcasing cutting-edge works form around the globe. In a similar vein, the Black Box strand is reserved to experimental works by visual artists and will be showing Perestroika, a feature by artist film-maker Sarah Turner funded by Film London Artists' Moving Image Network, FLAMIN.

Alongside a rich line-up of features, this year's EIFF also presents a strong short film programme, packed with works which range from the mainstream to the truly avant-garde.

The McLaren Animation strand includes A Family Portrait by Joseph Pierce, funded through Film London's PULSE scheme for digital shorts, as well as new works by Film London-supported film-makers Stephen Irwin, Max Hattler and Jens Blank. Irwin, who completed his short Bows and Arrows through PULSE in 2006, is presenting his new animated adventure Atomic Hubbub. Max Hattler and Jens Black, both previously supported through Film London's Film-makers' Festival Fund (FFF), will be bringing their latest shorts Spin and Cooked respectively to EIFF.

Similarly, Susanna Wallin, who directed PULSE 2006 Eddie Proctor, is now introducing her latest short, Electric Light Wonderland, at EIFF as part of the UK Shorts 1 strand. Another PULSE alumna, Nicky Lianos, will present Dead Happy, the winner of a search for a new British film-maker run by Sky Movies Indie HD channel and which will premiere simultaneously at EIFF and on the TV platform on Sunday 20 June.

A series of public and industry events are also a key part of the festival programme. Talks with renowned figures such as Sir Patrick Stewart, who is also this year's president of EIFF's Michael Powell Award jury, will be complemented with opportunities for film-makers to meet key industry players and network. The programme offers the chance to hear from experts talking about themes ranging from filming in Scotland to animation and casting. EIFF will also feature a panel session for producers looking to finance their first feature film, with the participation of Maggie Ellis, Film London's Head of Production & Talent Development and responsible for Film London's Microwave scheme for micro-budget features.

EIFF runs from 16 - 27 June at various venues in Edinburgh. Fore more details, visit the festival's official website.