Film Festival screens Raiders of the Lost Ark

In its 70th anniversary year, Edinburgh International Film Festival has announced its latest collaboration with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) - a screening of action-adventure favourite, Raiders of the Lost Ark, accompanied by a live performance of the stirring score by John Williams. 

36 years on from its blockbusting release, a huge audience at Edinburgh's Usher Hall will witness a unique presentation of Steven Spielberg's iconic movie. 

Following highly successful accompanied showings of Back to the Future (2015) and E.T. (2016), the 2017 event will take place on Saturday 24 June, with tickets on sale from Thursday 2 March at 10am. 

Released in 1981, and nominated for no fewer than 9 Academy Awards®, including Best Director, Best Art Direction, and Best Visual Effects, Raiders follows archaeologist and adventurer, Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) as he races to beat the Nazis to the long-lost Ark of the Covenant. 

Mark Adams, EIFF Artistic Director said:

We are delighted to continue and build on our relationship with the RSNO for this wonderful film and music collaboration. Indiana Jones is undoubtedly one of cinema’s greatest heroes and it will be exciting to see this wonderful, rollercoaster adventure up on the big screen accompanied by the RSNO’s orchestra.

The event is a highlight in the Film Festival's forthcoming 2017 programme and marks the start of a new three-year partnership between the EIFF and RSNO, which will see both commit to a range of events year-round across Scotland.

RSNO Chief Executive Dr Krishna Thiagarajan added:

It makes absolute sense for us to continue and strengthen our association with the Edinburgh International Film Festival. From the phenomenal success of our first EIFF performance two years ago with Back to the Future we knew we were on to something special.

The RSNO has pedigree in the field of music for films, recording and performing numerous soundtracks over the years, and to lend our expertise to one of the world’s notable celebrations of contemporary and classic cinema whilst broadening the audience for live orchestral music presents a most complementary cultural partnership.

Raiders of the Lost Ark will be show at Edinburgh's Usher Hall on Saturday 24 June at 7.30pm. Tickets are available at £17.50, £27.50 and £39.50.

Edinburgh International Film Festival is the world's longest continually running film festival and in 2017 celebrates its 70th anniversary, one of three Edinburgh Festivals to do so.

The festival takes place from 21 June - 2 July 2017. Find out more about the Film Festival, including links to programs and ticketing details.

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