EIFF to mark Sean Connery 80th with special screening, 20th June

26-May-2010 • Event

The 2010 Edinburgh International Film Festival is marking Sean Connery's 80th birthday with a Gala screening of John Hustonâs The Man Who Would Be King, the much-loved 1975 film in which Connery stars, alongside Micheal Caine, as an adventurer in British India - reports The List.

Sir Sean has been a dedicated patron of the Edinburgh International Film Festival for almost 20 years, and the Bank of Scotland Gala screening will provide the filmgoing audience an opportunity to show their appreciation for Sir Sean Conneryâs decade-spanning career as part of an all round glamorous evening in the company of one of Scotland's biggest acting stars.

The Gala screening, which takes place on Sun 20 June, will be held at the Film Festivalâs new addition to their roster of venues, the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, recently refitted to be able to hold premiers, red carpet and other outsized movie events in both the film and digital mediums.

Artistic Director of the EIFF, Hannah McGill said: 'This event is a fitting way to celebrate Sir Sean's 80 years - almost twenty of which he has given to support of EIFF as patron! He is a great friend of the Festival and we look forward to celebrating this amid the glitter of the Festival Theatre.'

Tickets go on sale for the event at noon on Thu 3 June, and as part of their support, Bank of Scotland will also be giving away 250 free tickets to their customers.

Sir Sean Connery is on of Edinburgh's most famous sons, and was born in the city's Fountainbridge area on 25 August 1930. Famously, his first job was as a milkman until he joined the Royal Navy before working in an eclectic variety of vocations ranging from a labourer and lorry driver to coffin polisher.

Connery's breakthrough film Dr No, featuring his first role as James Bond, will be also celebrating its own milestone birthday in 2012, marking 50 years since its release.