The home of golf is set to play host to Sands: International Film Festival Of St Andrews for the third time from Friday 19–Sunday 21 April. Among the announced guests are the legendary US composer and conductor Alan Silvestri who will talk about his work on more than 100 films, including Back To The Future, Forrest Gump, The Bodyguard and Predator. Casting director Debra Zane will also be in attendance, discussing her involvement in the Hunger Games franchise, Ocean’s Eleven, Catch Me If You Can and more.

Sands festival founder and Avengers: Endgame director Joe Russo will return for a special conversation about his extensive blockbusting work, which includes some of the highest-grossing films of all time: Captain America: Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War. Not only that but he’s also responsible for 21 episodes of the legendary TV series Community. The festival aims to present a diverse range of international films, including contemporary and classic cinema, alongside events to support filmmaking. One such hot ticket is a mentoring session for local filmmakers led by Russo himself.

Festival Director Ania Trzebiatowska said, ‘I am so looking forward to welcoming our audiences and guests back to Sands. We are incredibly proud that our festival can be boutique in scale, but consistently ambitious. Which means that we get to showcase impactful work and prompt truly meaningful conversations. Our aim is to lean into the role that artists can play in uniting and inspiring us, as well as reminding us that visual storytelling is one of the greatest tools for creating the well-needed empathy, often lacking in today’s complicated world.’

Sands: International Film Festival Of St Andrews will take place from Friday 19–Sunday 21 April; more details are available on their website.