mirrorball | about mirrorball

Mirrorball was born at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in 1996.

It's aim was to prove to the world that music videos were worth more than a passing glance and that some of the directors who made them were talents worth watching.

Back in 1996, few critics thought it appropriate that a festival as old and respected as Edinburgh was wasting its time with the sons of MTV. Surely the best that a promo director could hope for was a short but flashy career, directing big screen adaptations of TV shows from the '70s.

Then came David Fincher's Seven and Fight Club, Spike Jonze' Being John Malcovich, Jamie Thraves' The Low Down and Jonathan Glazer's Sexy Beast. Videos from each of these directors featured in the first Mirrorball programme. Mirrorball had proved the critics wrong.

Since it's conception, Mirrorball has co-produced two television series in conjunction with Blackwatch Productions for Channel 4 and has toured the UK and Europe extensively: presenting film events at the National Film Theatre, and seasons at the Curzon Soho Cinema in London, Brief Encounters film festival in Bristol, the ICA, Brighton Festival and at regional film theatres such as Dundee Contemporary Arts and Cornerhouse in Manchester.

Mirrorball has also attended a number of international festivals and events throughout Europe and was previously presented in Japan in February 2004.

Mirrorball remains a key component of The Edinburgh International Film Festival and celebrated its 10th anniversary event in 2005.

Mirrorball is programmed by David Drummond, Andrew Thomas and Nagako Hayashi (Made In Japan)

Supported by:

Presented by: