Edinburgh International Film Festival opening night film The Edge of Love will see the film's director John Maybury joined by headliners Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller and Matthew Rhys together with writer Sharman Macdonald on the red carpet.

The film, which receives its World Premiere on Wednesday 18th June at the festival, sees Matthew Rhys in the role of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas and tells the story of his wartime love for both childhood sweetheart Vera Philips (Knightley), and free spirit Caitlin (Sienna Miller).

EIFF artistic director Hannah McGill said: "I couldn't be happier to be opening with this utterly seductive and fascinating film. It 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 I adore, and opening with it is the perfect expression of our commitment to intelligent, impassioned new filmmaking."

The Edinburgh International Film Festival runs from 18th to 29th June 2008 and is the first time the festival has taken place outside of August.

Sign up for our film newsletter, running daily throughout the festival: www.list.co.uk/you/email/

Read our film critics' pick of the best 25 films at the EIFF 2008: www.list.co.uk/article/8898-best-of-the-edinburgh-international-film-festival/

For our full coverage see: www.list.co.uk/articles/edinburgh-international-film-festival/