The Edinburgh International Film Festival, in association with the UK Film Council, have announced 2008’s Michael Powell Jury and a big boost to the Award’s cash prize for Best British Film.

President of this year’s Michael Powell Jury is actor Danny Huston (The Constand Gardner, 21 Grams), who will also attend the world premiere of The Kreutzer Sonata at the Festival. 

Joining him on the Jury are international producer Sigurjon Sighvatsson (Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait); Orange-Prize nominated author Scarlett Thomas (The End of Mr. Y); Golden Globe Best Actress nominee Joely Richardson (Nip Tuck) and acclaimed director Iain Softley (Inkheart).

Jury President, Danny Huston, said "I am thrilled to be coming as President of the Michael Powell Jury to the Edinburgh Film Festival – A festival that my father described as 'the only festival worth a damn'".

Named in homage to one of Britain's most original filmmakers and inaugurated in 1993, the Michael Powell Award is sponsored by the UK Film Council, and this year the Award increases in value to £20,000 cash prize (previously £5000).

Rewarding imagination and creativity in British filmmaking, 2007 saw Anton Corbijn and Sam Riley win The Michael Powell Award and Best Performance Award respectively, both for Control.

In addition, the EIFF is delighted to also announce an increase for the Skillset New Directors Award to £5000 (from £1500).

Total Film will be there - and we've some exciting things planned - watch this space...