The 2009 Edinburgh International Film Festival will be carrying two new awards for the best international feature and international short film. Organisers of the festival, which successfully moved from its slot in August to June, will be hoping that it will further increase the profile and attractiveness of the film festival on the world stage.
The awards will carry a cash prize of £5,000 for the best foreign feature having its world or international premiere and £1,000 for the best international live-action short (of up to 50 minutes).
The films will be judged by a three person jury, separate to the jury presiding over The Michael Powell Award.
EIFF artistic director Hannah McGill said the awards would give "an additional boost in both publicity and prize money to filmmakers from all over the world."
McGill added: "Prizes aren't everything, of course, but we have seen our previous award-winners go from strength to strength after their EIFF premieres, and these new awards are intended to underline the festival's most important work: supporting burgeoning careers, recognising excellence and innovation, and bringing exciting new work to worldwide attention."
The Edinburgh International Film Festival 2009 runs 17 to 28 June.