70th Edinburgh Film Festival opens with premiere of "Tommy's Honour"

The 2016 Edinburgh International Film Festival opened on Wednesday evening with the world premiere of British film "Tommy's Honour."

Starring Scottish actors Peter Mullan, Jack Lowden and directed by Jason Connery, son of Scottish actor Sean Connery, the film is set against the backdrop of the early days of professional golf.

In its landmark 70th edition, the festival will showcase a total of 161 feature films from 46 countries and regions, said the organizer.

Mojin: The Lost Legend from the Chinese mainland and Trivisa produced by Hong Kong are among the films in the festival program.

Awards at the film festival include Best International Feature Film, Best International Documentary Feature, the Michael Powell Award for Best British Feature Film, which is named in homage to one of Britain's most original filmmakers, the Award for Best Performance in a British Feature Film, and the Audience Award, as well as the awards in the categories of animation and short film.

Mark Adams, artistic director of the festival, said the festival had an "inclusive and celebratory atmosphere."

Ken Hay, chief executive of the festival, described this year's film festival as "rich, diverse and really does have something for everyone."

The closing film of the festival, which will conclude on June 26, will be the British film "Whisky Galore," which is based on true story of a 8,000-tonne cargo ship that ran aground off the Island of Eriskay in northwest Scotland.

Established in 1947, the Edinburgh International Film Festival welcomes over 1,400 industry delegates, filmmakers, and members of the press each year.

(APD)