AN INTERNATIONAL event is set to return to Peebles in 2023 following its first successful year.

The Scotland International Film Festival (SIFF) took over the Eastgate Theatre last April and is set to do the same again in 2023.

The brainchild of Stephen Savage and Trinity Houston (founders of the Idyllwild Festival of Cinema in California), the SIFF will welcome filmmakers from all over the world to Peebles from April 18-23.

Vivien Reid, one of the UK producers of the festival, said: “We have some wonderful submissions and our submission window is still open.

“We also have a new grand jury member, the incredible Scottish actor Katie Dickie. She is a huge supporter of independent film and we are delighted to have her on board the festival.”

Vivien added: “Our amazing producer Lesley Paterson has been incredibly busy promoting her Oscar-nominated film All Quiet On The Western Front and we are all rooting for her, if you haven’t seen the film you can watch it on Netflix.

“Lesley is one of the writers and executive producer of the film.

“Trinity and Stephen are as always mega busy over in Hollywood and Mhairi and have been busy over here in the UK.

“The Peebles Hydro Hotel is again supporting us and offering discounts to our filmmakers, which is just wonderful and we are all looking forward to a successful second year celebrating independent film.”

The grand jury for 2022 was formed of Scottish actor Angus McFayden (Braveheart), Anne Archer (Fatal Attraction), Jonn Emmet Tracy (Yellowstone), Alan Parsons OBE, John McPhail, Ruth Paxton, Shauna Macdonald (Outlander) and Carol Morley.

It was after a conversation with Vivien at a previous Idyllwild Festival that Stephen and Trinity discovered Peebles and how it could work as a UK location for a similar film festival.

In April, during the first SIFF, Stephen said: “Without Viv [Vivien] we wouldn’t even be in Peebles.

“She basically brought us to this town.

“I had never even heard of Peebles, now I’m finding out how many famous people know Peebles.”

To make a submission to the 2023 festival, or for more information, visit: https://scotlandifc.com