Film fest announces improved media facilities

JOURNALISTS covering this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival are to have access to almost 30 top-of-the-range computers in a dedicated media centre – plus Wi-Fi ‘hotspots’, should they prefer to work wirelessly off their own computers.

It follows an agreement struck, for a third year in a row, with NEC Computers, who have sponsored the Cannes Film Festival in a similar capacity for 13 years.

The festival, which is taking place next month between the 15th and 26th, announced its full programme two days ago, having previously revealed that Scottish movie, Hallam Foe, is to open the event. The media centre is to be located at The Point conference centre in the city’s Bread Street.

A total of 28 internet-ready Powermate desktop systems are be provided at The Point, plus two, free, password protected, Wi-Fi hotspots. Meanwhile, NEC will be also employing two, local, university IT students to provide on-site technical support.

Says David Newbould, UK product manager for NEC Computers: “With innovation sitting at the heart of the NEC strategy, both in technological and relationship terms, the Edinburgh International Film Festival is an ideal partnership for us both.

“The festival provides an unique and far reaching platform to showcase some of the latest NEC technologies and we hope to continue strengthening our relationship with the festival and achieve ever-higher levels of media accessibility, efficiency and satisfaction.”