2009 has generally been a good year for film fans. In the first half of the year, films such as Slumdog Millionaire, State of Play, The Reader, Star Trek, The Damned United and Looking for Eric certainly have been well worth the admission price. Admittedly, there are more than a few films which mildly entertain but are easily forgettable.

This year’s EIFF has been for this film fan a most satisfying experience. I have seen a whole bundle of films and not a dud amongst them. Maybe this is due to an improved awareness of quality or simply luck. What I am looking for are good storylines and insights into human relationships and, in both of these aspects of the art of film making, I have not been disappointed.

If I were to give the three most memorable contemporary films I have seen, I would pick the following, listed in alphabetical order and reflecting films of different genres. Also, from the Q & A following the showing of the film, one can appreciate the integrity of the film maker’s approach to the subject matter.

My Last Five Girlfriends, a British film directed by Julian Kemp, is a quirky romantic comedy which thankfully breaks away from the Hollywood formulaic approach.

Terribly Happy, from Denmark and directed by Henrik Ruben Genz, is a tense thriller infused with black humour which builds to a most unexpected ending.

The First Day of the Rest of Your Life, from France and directed by Remi Bezancon, is I suppose cinema verite as it depicts family life over a 15 year period, reflecting on humour, love and tragedy as children grow up and parents age.

Each of these films could go out on general release later this year. One common strand touched on by each film which I have just realised is that they make tiny references to film classics of the past, and to a time when the story was everything and special effects were in their infancy.

The staging of the EIFF in June which began last year appears to be proving a big success. The films I attended had good audience numbers and indeed a number were sell outs. This must be very gratifying for the organisers, enhancing the status of the EIFF both at home and abroad.