Just when you thought it could not get better.........

15 MORE BANDS FOR NEW BLOOD STAGE

METAL TO THE MASSES FINAL APPROACHES

BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR this year offers its strongest line up to date, with headline sets fromBEHEMOTH, MACHINE HEAD and ALICE COOPER as well as dozens of exclusive appearances from the top names in metal.

The main RONNIE JAMES DIO stage and the SOPHIE stage boasts some of metal’s biggest names, both international and homegrown. But no less exciting is the NEW BLOOD stage, which offers emerging talent the chance to play an internationally renown festival. The METAL TO THE MASSES initiative works hard scouring the length and breadth of the country to discover the UK’s best new talent, hosting heats where bands will compete for a coveted spot at BLOODSTOCK.

This year, the quality of the unsigned bands on offer is outstanding, resulting in the NEW BLOOD stage’s most exciting line up to date. With sold out finals up and down the country in 200 – 600 capacity venues, as well as reaching over the borders to include talent from abroad – as well as rewarding homegrown talent with the opportunity to play partner festivals abroad, WACKEN and METALCAMP, the future of UK metal has never looked so bright, and with this latest batch there may well be a futureBLOODSTOCK headliner in amongst them.

On the Friday, EXILE THE TRAITOR bring their melodic death metal to the NEW BLOOD stage, joined by Brummie death metallers KATALEPTIC, Norwich thrashers KILLER HURTS, Romanian experimentalists KRESPUSKUL, Manchester bruisers MY WOODEN PILLOW, Liverpool’s SCARE TACTICS and WALKING THEO from Selby.

Saturday sees Welsh trad-metallers APOLLYON join midlands doomsters COSMIC VORTEX OF DOOMand all the way from Croatia, RATHER, while the Sunday offers Nottingham glamsters AIRSTRYKE, Cypriot death/thrash/groove combo BLYND, Welsh sludge monsters HAKIN, Nottingham Trash-Merchants INCINERY and Preston Industrialists SA – DA – KO.

 Simon Hall, who has been overlooking METAL 2 THE MASSES can't help being excited by the talent on display:

 This year's Metal 2 The Masses has blown me away with the diversity and talent that is turning heads within the UK underground scene. The quality of The Newblood Stage is undeniable and I can't wait to unleash these bands on Bloodstock along with some more to come in the next week or so!

 Whatever you do, make sure you stick your head into the NEW BLOOD stage and support new bands - you may discover the next big thing!

 BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2012 takes place at Catton Hall August 9th – 12th. Tickets are available from www.bloodstock.uk.com

LINE UP SO FAR....

RONNIE JAMES DIO STAGE

ALICE COOPER

MACHINE HEAD

BEHEMOTH

ANVIL – WATAIN - PARADISE LOST - DIMMU BORGIR - HATEBREED - CORROSION OF CONFORMITY - SANCTUARY - GRAND MAGUS - THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER – EVILE - NILE – MAYHEM – LOCK UP – SEPULTURA – ICED EARTH - TESTAMENT - CHTHONIC - DIO DISCIPLES – CROWBAR – BENEDICTION – I AM I – MOONSORROW – FREEDOM CALL KOBRA & THE LOTUS

SOPHIE LANCASTER STAGE in association with Last.FM

ALCEST - ORANGE GOBLIN - ANAAL NATHRAKH

ALCEST - ORANGE GOBLIN - ANAAL NATHRAKH - HEADCHARGER - WINTERFYLLETH DEMONIC RESURRECTION - EASTERN FRONT - ANCIENT ASCENDANT - SIGHT OF EMPTINESS - PRIMITAI - PYTHIA - CRIMES OF PASSION - SATURNIAN BLOODSHOT DAWN - RE-ARMED - GONOREAS - COMMANDER IN CHIEF - RISING DREAM - INFERNAL TENEBRA - NOCTEFERIA - MARIONETTE- FURYON - DERISION - BATALLION - WITCHSORROW - DRIPBACK - SAVAGE MESSIAH - FLAYED DISCIPLE – VIKING SKULL – DEATH VALLEY KNIGHTS - SWEET SAVAGE –

PRITCHARD Vs DAINTON - STEVE HUGHES

NEW BLOOD STAGE

DOOMED - GONE TIL WINTER – HURON - FALLEN FATE - REIGN OF FURY –DREAMCATCHER - REFLECTIONS IN EXILE - INFERNAL CREATION – CAMBION – WARHORSE – MERCILESS FAIL – STORMBORN – TEMPUS FUSION – WRETCHED SOUL – A THOUSAND ENEMIES – SHATTERED SKIES -  EXILE THE TRAITOR – KATALEPTIC - KILLER HURTS -  KRESPUSKUL - MY WOODEN PILLOW - SCARE TACTICS - WALKING THEO APOLLYON - COSMIC VORTEX OF DOOM – RATHER – AIRSTRYKE – BLYND HAKIN – INCINERY -  SA – DA – KO.

www.bloodstock.uk.com

CHRIS FUJIWARA to build on EIFF 2012 success

CHRIS FUJIWARA COMMITTED TO EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Chris Fujiwara at the Premiere of BRAVE

Edinburgh, Scotland – 5 July 2012...  Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) today announced the continuation of Artistic Director Chris Fujiwara’s tenure, initially for a further three years. The appointment was announced following 2012’s successful EIFF that saw admissions of just over 40,000 across the 12-day event.

The 66^th EIFF, Fujiwara’s first Festival as Artistic Director, hosted an international programme with 120 diverse new feature films, alongside two retrospectives, shorts programmes, a full industry programme, talent development labs, education initiatives and special events.  Fujiwara also oversaw the return of the Michael Powell and International Awards to the Festival, as well as high-profile red carpet premieres at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre.

Commenting on his future at EIFF, Chris Fujiwara said: “Working on this year’s EIFF has been one of the most challenging and fulfilling experiences of my career. The interest and enthusiasm of the Festival audience and the dedication and professionalism of the Festival staff and volunteers have transformed my view of the importance cinema can hold in people’s lives. I’m deeply grateful to the Board for their confidence in me, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to expand our relationships with our audiences and with international filmmakers, distributors and sales agents. I’m very excited about working to shape the future of EIFF.”

On behalf of the EIFF Board which confirmed the appointment, Chair, Leslie Hills said: “EIFF is an institution with a reputation for reinvention over decades. Chris Fujiwara gave us a superb reinvention in EIFF 2012. Chris, along with the excellent support of staff and volunteers delivered, with his signature intelligence, knowledge and humour, a multi-faceted programme which engaged filmgoers and professionals, students and critics alike.   We are utterly delighted that he has accepted our offer to build on this very promising first edition. “

JUBILOOtastic

WILLIE CAMPBELL & THE OPEN DAY ROTATION Willie Campbell & The Open Day Rotation have been confirmed for Bella's Hothouse Stage on the Saturday. Last night’s documentary by Cromarty producer/director Don Coutts about Willie on BBC 2 featured a touching half hour's worth of music , memories, personal insight and hope. GoNORTH Seedlings Stage We are pleased to announce the acts selected for the GoNORTH Seedlings Stage at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 2012. GoNORTH are delighted to have programmed over half this line up from their 2012 live showcase list. The artists include: Anderson, McGinty, Webster, Ward and Fisher; Brown Bear & The Bandits; Chasing Owls; Chris Devotion & The Expectations; City In Surveillance; Donald Macdonald & The Islands; FInding Albert;Graham Brown; Last Summer Effect; Megan Blyth; Miss Irenie Rose ; Olympic Swimmers; Oskar Empire; Rae Morris; ROADWAY;Selective Service; Stanley Odd; Team Kapowski; The Machine Room; The Maginot Band; This Silent Forest; and Toby Michael’s Rolling Damned . “We are excited to be continuing our long standing relationship with Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival in 2012”, said goNORTH Director for Music Shaun Arnold.“Belladrum has developed into one of the key festivals on the Scottish calendar, and has become firmly established as an important platform for connecting new artists with a broad and passionate audience”. "We’re really excited about the strength of the unsigned line-up at Bella this year", added festival promoterJoe Gibbs. "Most of these artists are to be found in the GoNORTH Seedlings Stage which has become a mecca for people seeking the next wave of music talent coming from the Highlands and wider Scotland." BELLA TO HOST BIG DEBATE We are delighted to be hosting BBC Radio Scotland’s popular Brian Taylor’s Big Debate which this year will be broadcast live from the Co-operative Verb Garden on Friday 3rd August. Glen Campbell will be in the hot seat with his guests for news, views and discussion on the week's big stories. Get your seat at the Verb Garden by 11.30  and instead of shouting at the television/radio you can put Glen’s guests on the spot by asking a question. You can submit your question on line by visiting the BBC Scotland website or emailing brian@bbc.co.uk The Co-operative Verb Garden has hosted debate, discussion and interviews for the last four years. It is supported by Co-operative Membership and 2012 is the United Nations Year of Co-operatives. KEEP CALM AND BELLA DRUM At Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, the theme for this year’s Official Merchandise is Keep Calm and Bella Drum! So turn off that television news, leave your worries behind and join us for a wonderful weekend of music and festivities in the beautiful Highlands of Scotland. Merchandise sells out quickly at Bella, so this year you can buy a selection of t-shirts in advance of the event - and have them delivered direct to your door. There's a special early bird offer too, with prices reduced for advance sales. Keep Calm and Bella Drum shirts are now online here.  ‘JUBILOO’ POSH LOOS DEBUT AT BELLA At last….after nine years … what we’ve all been crossing our legs and waiting for….. posh pay-as-you-go loos at Bella! For £10 per adult and £5 per 12 and under child, weekend ‘passes’ will be available to the wonderful Jubiloo, specially themed for this year’s event so that you can enthrone yourself in clean splendour. Open 0600 – 2200. C’mon. You’ve gotta go! FAIR TRADE FESTIVAL Bella is proud to be Scotland’s first Fair Trade Festival as our country gears up to become a Fair Trade Nation. The Co-Operative Verb Garden Cafe are pleased to be offering Fair Trade drinks and snacks and will also be holding another Fair Trade treasure hunt for children. For details, go to the Co-Operative Verb Garden where participants will collect and return their sheets and each will receive a small prize. All correct entries get entered in to a prize draw. FEATURED ARTIST: ORQUESTRA LATINA DEL NORTE Orquesta Latina Del Norte will be bring some Latin American sunshine and smiles to Madame Fifi's Dance Parlour for a couple of hours each night from 2000. They are an Inverness based Salsa band, playing a mix of Salsa, Cha-cha and Latin party tunes. There are 19 in the band, bringing about 1 million years of music experience with them! This is their second year at Belladrum. Check them out in advance atwww.orquestalatina.com.

goNORTH

goNORTH SEEDLINGS STAGE ANNOUNCEMENT & THE OPEN DAY ROTATION ADDED TO BELLADRUM LINE-UP

We are pleased to announce the acts selected for the goNORTH Seedlings Stage at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 2012. Taking place across the 3rd and 4th of August, we are delighted to have programmed over half the line up from our 2012 live showcase list.

“We are excited to be continuing our long standing relationship with Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival in 2012”, said goNORTH Director for Music Shaun Arnold.“Belladrum has developed into one of the key festivals on the Scottish calendar, and has become firmly established as an important platform for connecting new artists with a broad and passionate audience”.

"We’re really delighted with the strength of the unsigned line-up at bella this year", added Festival Booker Joe Gibbs. "Most of these artists are to be found in the goNORTH Seedlings Stage which has become a mecca for people seeking the next wave of music talent coming from the Highlands and wider Scotland."

goNORTH Seedlings Stage 2012

Anderson, McGinty, Webster, Ward and Fisher

Brown Bear & The Bandits
Chasing Owls

Chris Devotion & The Expectations

City In Surveillance
Donald Macdonald & The Islands
FInding Albert

Graham Brown
Last Summer Effect

Megan Blyth

Miss Irenie Rose

Olympic Swimmers

Oskar Empire
Rae Morris

ROADWAY
Stanley Odd

Team Kapowski

The Machine Room
The Maginot Band

This Silent Forest
Toby Michaels Rolling Damned

Following his BBC 2 documentary 'An Estate Car and a PA' we are delighted to confirm that Willie Campbell's band The Open Day Rotation have been added to the line-up on the Saturday of Belladrum. Former frontman of Astrid and member of The Reindeer Section, Willie Campbell unveilled his incredible new album 'toxic good, toxic bad' earlier this month.

Belladrum has sold out each of the past three years.. Advance adult weekend tickets are £95 and Saturday tickets are £65. They include parking and camping, campervans and caravans tickets are now sold out. As in previous years, tickets for children 12 & under are free.

Belladrum 2012 takes place in the beautiful Highland surroundings of Belladrum Estate, near Beauly in Inverness-shire. The independent festival has built a reputation for its eclectic line-ups, its off beat non-musical entertainments and its all-ages approach. The festival won a VisitScotland Thistle Award in 2009 and is a past winner of the Grassroots Festival Award at the UK Festival Awards, the festival industry’s ‘oscars’.

THE FRATELLIS FOR LOOPALLU 2012

After months of speculation the wraps have finally come off the first acts to be announced for this years eighth Loopallu Festival. We’re extremely pleased to have been chosen as the first festival outing for newly reformed greats The Fratellis.

With a back catalogue of chart hits that include Chelsea Dagger, Henrietta and Whistle for the Choir they’re a certainty to set the crowd alight.

Jon Fratlli in The Codeine Velvet Club (2009–2010)

Radio One favourite and act of the moment, Jake Bugg makes a return to Ullapool after enjoying his Highland acoustic tour at the start of the year. Jake Bugg is set to be one of the big break through acts of 2012 and a highlight of the Loopallu weekend.

Other acts to feature in the first announcement include festival favourites, The Dangleberries bringing their high octane and unique brand of celtic rock; Lilygreen and McGuire fresh from supporting Westlife on their arena tour; and finally for this first batch of acts Shinty legend Gary Innes makes his Loopallu debut with Celtic/Gaelic cross-over act Manran.

‘We’re over the moon The Fratellis have chosen to make their festival comeback at Loopallu since reforming recently. With a back catalogue of hits like theirs, I challenge anyone not to jump around. I can’t wait. We’re also really pleased to have man of the moment Jake Bugg coming north. His little Highland Tour at the start of the year obviously had an effect on him. Catch him before he goes stella. Coupled with a long overdue return of festival favourites The Dangleberries attention has now got to turn to booking some fine weather!’ Robert Hicks

Loopallu takes place in the west coast village of Ullapool on Friday 21^st and Saturday 22^nd of September 2012 and doubles the population of the village for the weekend. As well as the usual eclectic line up of acts appearing at the festival big top and the fringe events after hours in the villages pubs, the festival will again provide a selection of fine food and drink from around the Highlands as well as the usual warm Ullapool welcome.

Tickets for this year are priced at £60 for weekend tickets and £75 for weekend and camping. Weekend and Camping ticket holders wishing to bring campervans and caravans will be charged £25 per vehicle. As, since the beginning, tickets for children 12 & under will be free (though need to be accompanied by an adult)
Tickets, available in person from Northwest Outdoors (Ullapool), Mania & Ironworks (Inverness); Online from www.ticketmaster.co.ukwww.skiddle.com ; 24 hr Tel 08444 999 990 

The 66^th Edinburgh International Film Festival 20 June - 1 July 2012

CLOSING NIGHT GALA & EUROPEAN PREMIERE OF

THE 66^TH EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

 Merida (Kelly Macdonald) is a skilled archer and impetuous daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the uproarious lords of Scotland: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane). Merida’s actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the family, and when she turns to an eccentric Witch for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to discover the meaning of true bravery in order to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late. Directed by Mark Andrews (“The Incredibles,” “Ratatouille,” “John Carter of Mars”) and Brenda Chapman ("The Lion King," "Prince of Egypt"), and produced by Katherine Sarafian (“Lifted,” “The Incredibles”), “Brave” is a grand adventure full of heart, memorable characters and the signature Pixar humour enjoyed by audiences of all ages.

BRAVE has topped the US box office taking $66.7m in its opening 3-day weekend.

BRAVE will be released by Disney-Pixar in Scotland on 3 August, and across the UK on 17 August.

 

 The stars of Disney-Pixar’s BRAVE were piped onto the red carpet as they celebrated the launch of BRAVE in the UK. Inspired by the rich heritage, myths and legends of Scottish history, the filmmakers are delighted to Premiere the film at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Attending from the film:

 Kevin McKidd (actor), Robbie Coltrane (actor), Kelly MacDonald (actor), Mark Andrews (director), Katherine Sarafian (producer),Patrick Doyle (composer), Julie Fowlis (musician)

Attending from the Festival: 

Chris Fujiwara (EIFF Artistic Director), Ken Hay (EIFF CEO), Ewen Bremner (Juror), EIFF Award Winners 

Other guests:

First Minister Alex Salmond, Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop, Chairman of VisitScotland Mike

Cantlay, Brian Cox (actor), Kate Dickie (actor)

Iain Glen (actor), Douglas Henshall (actor), David Mackenzie (director), Stephen McCole (actor), Daniela Nardini (actor)

Location:  FESTIVAL THEATRE, EDINBURGH

Date: SATURDAY 30 JUNE

Alex Salmond, First Minister

Brian Cox

 Kelly MacDonald (actor) Craig Ferguson (Actor), Robbie Coltrane (actor), Kevin McKidd (actor)

 Kelly MacDonald (actor) Craig Ferguson (Actor), Robbie Coltrane (actor), Kevin McKidd (actor)

Craig Ferguson (Actor), Kelly MacDonald (actor) Robbie Coltrane (actor), Kevin McKidd (actor)

Kelly MacDonald (actor) Robbie Coltrane (actor), Kevin McKidd (actor)

Craig Ferguson (Actor), Robbie Coltrane (actor), Kelly MacDonald (actor), Kevin McKidd (actor), Mark Andrews (director), Katherine Sarafian (producer)

Craig Ferguson (Actor), Robbie Coltrane (actor), Kelly MacDonald (actor), Kevin McKidd (actor), Mark Andrews (director), Katherine Sarafian (producer)

Katherine Sarafian (producer), Craig Ferguson (Actor), Robbie Coltrane (actor), Kelly MacDonald (actor), Kevin McKidd (actor), Mark Andrews (director) 

Katherine Sarafian (producer), Craig Ferguson (Actor), Robbie Coltrane (actor), Kelly MacDonald (actor), Kevin McKidd (actor), Mark Andrews (director

 Craig Ferguson (Actor), Robbie Coltrane (actor), Kevin McKidd (actor),

Chris Fujiwara (EIFF Artistic Director)

Craig Ferguson (Actor) & Megan Wallace Cunningham,

Craig Ferguson (Actor) & Megan Wallace Cunningham

Tallia Storm

Tallia Storm

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary 

Julie Fowlis (musician)

Julie Fowlis (musician)

Kate Dickie (actor)

Katherine Sarafian (producer),

Katherine Sarafian (producer),

Kelly MacDonald (actor)

Kelly MacDonald, Dougie Payne

Kevin McKidd (Actor)

Mark Andrews(Director) 

Mark Andrews(Director) and Family

Patrick Doyle (composer)

Robbie Coltrane (actor)

Ken Hay (EIFF CEO), EIFF, BRAVE premier

About the Edinburgh International Film Festival:

Established in 1947, Edinburgh International Film Festival is renowned around the world for discovering and promoting the very best in international cinema - and for heralding and debating changes in global filmmaking. Intimate in its scale, ambitious in its scope, and fuelled by pure passion for cinema in all its manifestations, EIFF seeks to spotlight the most exciting and innovative new film talent, in a setting steeped in history.

Notable films premiered in recent years have included: 35 SHOTS OF RUM, THE HURT LOCKER, MOON, FISH TANK, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, SOMERS TOWN, MAN ON WIRE, CONTROL, KNOCKED UP, RATATOUILLE, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, TSOTSI, BILLY ELLIOT and AMORES PERROS.

EIFF is supported by Creative Scotland, the City of Edinburgh Council, EventScotland, the Scottish Government through the Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund and the BFI.  EIFF is proud to be part of the Year of Creative Scotland, a Scottish Government initiative led in partnership by EventScotland, VisitScotland, Creative Scotland and VOCAL, which is spotlighting and celebrating Scotland’s cultural and creative strengths on a world stage.

The Centre for the Moving Image (CMI) was founded in 2010 with a vision to be at the forefront of film and the moving image in Scotland.  The CMI currently comprises the EIFF, Edinburgh Filmhouse and Edinburgh Film Guild and its aim is to lead, inspire, educate and entertain in the moving image space.  The CMI is currently developing an ambitious plan to create new businesses and initiatives in Scotland related to film thought and practice.