The last of Edinburgh's major Festivals released its programme today, when the Edinburgh International Film Festival published its brochure and launched an all-new website.  Celebrating its 60th birthday in 2007, the EIFF runs from 15th to 26th August this year, and showcases a range of brand new cinema - with all films screened being UK premieres.

This year sees the EIFF's first Festival theme - Cinema and the Written Word - with an emphasis on films based on novels, memoirs, plays and even comic books.  Stretching the theme perhaps a little too far, writer/directors are also a particular feature this year; meanwhile, the Festival continues with its popular Mirrorball strand, which showcases music video and advertising film.

Alongside the films, there's a short series of talks from leading figures in the film industry, from the household-name Bob Hoskins to the arthouse darling (and Narnia star) Tilda Swinton.  Across the Festival, film-makers are also in attendance at pre-screening introductions and post-film Q&A's.

Browsing and booking

The Film Festival's well-organized printed programme contains both an A-Z of the flicks on offer and a handy daily listing in the centrefold.  You can pick it up in Edinburgh from the participating cinemas - the Filmhouse and Cameo at the West End, Dominion in Morningside or the Cineworld multiplex. 

Equally convenient is the EIFF's new website, which launched at noon today.  We've had a quick look around the revamped site and particularly recommend the Find Films tab.  If you know you want to see a Russian documentary, the advanced search option is for you; if you're less of a card-carrying film buff but do remember liking Hot Fuzz, the slightly tongue-in-cheek Suggest-o-Tron is well worth a spin.

Either way, for first pick of the tickets you'll need to get on the case quickly: the box office opens on Friday.  Both the online system and the phone lines will be available from midday, though if the year's other launches are anything to go by, they'll be very busy at first.   If you're in Edinburgh, you can also drop into the Filmhouse or Cineworld (or the Cameo for screenings at that cinema only; strangely, you can't get any tickets at all at the Dominion).

Another reason to get organized in advance is the EIFF's tasty range of advance-booking discounts: you can buy 6, get 1 free, or for true enthusiasts, buy 12 and get a bonus 3.  They don't have to be for different films, so if you're going in a group you'll get instant money off.  Advance deals end the day the Festival starts, on 15th August.