Special screening and Irvine Welsh DJ set announced as part of Trainspotting 30th anniversary

The screening at Leith Theatre on Friday, August 14 will be accompanied by live commentary from cast and crew crew, who will share exclusive behind the scenes anecdotes about the making of the film at the EIFF event.

The event will be followed by a club night with DJ sets from author Irvine Welsh and Darren Emerson, whose electronic music group Underworld is synonymous with the film and soundtrack.

Released in 1996, the era-defining film based on Welsh’s book of the same name brought Scottish film to the forefront of audiences.

Paul Ridd, EIFF chief executive and festival director, said: “Ask anyone about Scotland and cinema and the first things they would likely think of would be Sean Connery and Trainspotting. For the past couple of years we have kept the memory and legacy of Connery in Edinburgh alive with our features competition, and now this year we are thrilled to finally honour the most iconic Scottish film ever made in the place where it originated and with a new spin.

“The opportunity to hear directly from the people who made the film followed by the thrill of celebrating that iconic soundtrack together should make for a night for the ages. That we get to do all that in a venue as full of promise and renewal as Leith Theatre is the icing on the cake. We cannot wait.” 

Leith Theatre recently signed a 50-year lease and secured funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund following a 20-year campaign to help secure the future of the renowned Grade B listed building.

Lynn Morrison, chief executive of Leith Theatre Trust, said the organisation is “excited to be partnering” with the EIFF to celebrate a story that continues to resonate with audiences around the world in an area of the city synonymous with the film.

She said: “This is an event that showcases the breadth of experiences Leith Theatre can host and highlights the growing role the venue is playing within Edinburgh’s cultural landscape.

“If there was ever a place to celebrate Trainspotting’s legacy, it has to be here.”

Thirty years on, Andrew MacDonald, producer of Trainspotting said it is “hard to believe” that so much time has passed.

He added: “I am delighted that it is heading back to Leith where the whole story began, to celebrate this big anniversary. Big thanks to the teams at Assembly Festival, Leith Theatre and of course Edinburgh International Film Festival for making this all happen. It is going to be a very special night.”

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Following the EIFF premiere, Trainspotting will be re-released by Park Circus in cinemas across the UK and Ireland, and internationally, from August 21

The re-release from Park Circus will also screen as part of Rip it Up, the BFI Film Audience Network's UK-wide film season that explores and celebrates the changing face of youth rebellion, culture and expression.