EIFF champions over 100 features each year, and for many of them it's the boost they need to make it onto screens around the globe. The next month sees a host of fest films finally arrive in British cinemas, so be sure to catch these flicks if you missed them at EIFF.

Friday 28 August

The Hurt Locker

Kathryn (Point Break) Bigelow takes on the war movie, in this gritty and realistic tale of a bomb disposal squad. Hard-hitting and certainly not your typical Hollywood war flick.

Mesrine: Public Enemy Number One

I have to admit to a certain degree of 'man love' for Vincent Cassel - from La Haine to Sheitan, he's an acting legend - and this could be his greatest performance. As a comparison, 'The French Godfather' just doesn't do this film justice.

Friday 4 September

Big River Man

The remarkable story of a hard-drinking Slovenian who swims epic distances to draw attention to the pollution of rivers. Fantastic fun, and poignant to boot.

Friday 11 September

Adventureland

Supercool comedy which won high praise from the Rotten Tomatoes jury at the fest. If fairgrounds were this much fun we all would have spent more time on The Waltzer.

Fish Tank

How does Andrea Arnold do it? Red Road raised expectations for Fish Tank to unreasonably high levels, yet the British director's sophomore flick left critics and audiences reeling at EIFF. This is an absolute must-see.

Friday 18 September

Away We Go

This year's opener showed that Sam Mendes was hiding a sense of humour beneath all that talent. Oh, and Krasinski (of The American Office) is a lovely chap, and deserves recognition for his lead turn.

Three Miles North of Molkom

I remember seeing this doc about a hippy-ish retreat at EIFF 2008 and loving it. Since then, a friend has visited the very place and told me the film is scarily accurate. Check it out.