EDINBURGH International Festival will close this year's film festival with a “wry wit and off-beat humour” film.
The Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) – which runs from August 18 to 23 – will have the UK premiere of Babak Jalali’s Fremont as its closing film.
The black-and-white film tells the story of 20-something-year-old Donya who was forced to flee Afghanistan – with the star role played by former TV journalist Anaita Wali Zada.
Bafta-nominated filmmaker Jalali said he considered it an honour that Fremont was chosen to close the festival.
He added: “Growing up in the UK, it was easy to understand the huge cultural impact EIFF has had not just on these shores but also internationally. And the importance of making sure it continues to be here and to thrive.
“I’m thrilled to be returning to Edinburgh once again to show a film to an audience that I’ve very fond memories of, and in such a prestigious slot in the programme.”
Kate Taylor, programme director of the festival, said: “Our programming team was totally captivated by Fremont’s mood, style and subtlety, and adored both the character of Donya and the tender care shown by director Babak Jalali towards his layered protagonist.
“It’s an honour to close this year’s festival with a film that considers the complex dynamics of diaspora experience in such a nuanced way, whilst frequently delighting with its wry wit and off-beat humour.
“We can’t wait for Edinburgh audiences to fall under its spell.”
After her work as an Afghan translator for the US Government led her to become lost in California, Donya takes on a new job writing the fortunes at a fortune cookie factory.
Her messages begin to be read by people throughout the city which drives her to send a more profound statement out to the world.
The film, which was co-written by Carolina Cavalli, and the cast includes The Bear star Jeremy Allen White, Gregg Turkington, Boots Riley and Bettina Devin.
It has been described as an "ode to the strange and shared experiences of so many immigrants trying to build a life in a new place".
Fremont will be released by Modern Films in the UK this autumn.
EIFF celebrates the work of exceptional local and global filmmakers, with ticket sales beginning at midday on July 7.
