Sam Mendes - Sam Mendes To Open Edinburgh Film Festival

SAM MENDES is set to open the Edinburgh International Film Festival with his latest picture, it has been revealed.

The director will show his new road-trip comedy AWAY WE GO as the curtain raiser for the 63rd festival in the city.

Hannah McGill, artistic director of the event, said; "We're absolutely delighted to open the Festival with a wonderful film that marks a distinct change of pace for one of Britain's most celebrated contemporary directors, Sam Mendes."

The movie will be the perfect film to open the event and she is "incredibly proud" to present it to the audience, Ms McGill added.

Mendes' US-based comedy is based on a script by acclaimed novelist Dave Eggers and stars JOHN KRASINSKI who featured in the US version of THE OFFICE.

Recently, KATE WINSLET won the Golden Globe Best Actress award for her part in REVOLUTIONARY ROAD, which was directed by her husband, Mendes.