The Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) announced today that John Maybury's drama set around the loves and life of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, The Edge of Love, will be the Opening Gala at this year's festival.

Stars of the film Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller, Matthew Rhys, and director John Maybury are expected to attend the Premiere in Edinburgh on Wednesday 18 June 2008. The film will open in London on 20 June prior to a nationwide release on 27 June through Lionsgate UK.

In The Edge of Love, former lover Vera Phillips (Keira Knightley) reconnects ten years later with the charismatic Dylan Thomas (Matthew Rhys) in wartime London, where she is working as a singer and he is churning out government propaganda scripts in aid of the war effort. The two feel the thunderbolt of their emotions once more, but Thomas is now married to the adventurous Caitlin (Sienna Miller). Despite their rivalry, the women form a surprising friendship.

Making the announcement artistic director Hannah McGill said: "I couldn't be happier to be opening this most auspicious Festival with this utterly seductive and fascinating film, which stars some of the most charismatic young performers in the business, and affirms John Maybury as one of our most important directors. It's a film that I personally adore, and opening with it is the perfect expression of our commitment to intelligent, impassioned, exciting new filmmaking."

John Maybury, Director of The Edge of Love added, "I am thrilled and honoured to have the film at the Edinburgh Film Festival. I have a deep affection for the festival since they were so good to award Love Is The Devil the Michael Powell Award and Derek Jacobi and Daniel Craig, Joint Best Actor Awards ten years ago".

The EIFF has moved this year from its traditional August slot in the festival calendar to run from 18 - 29 June 2008.