The International Film Festival of St Andrews, known in full as Sands: International Film Festival of St Andrews, is an annual film festival held in St Andrews, Scotland. It is co-produced by the Byre Theatre and the Film Studies Department at the University of St Andrews with lead sponsorship from Joe Russo through his production company, AGBO. The festival is a three-day event showcasing international cinema to local, national and international audiences, as well as hosting film-related events and workshops for filmmakers and creators. In 2024, the inaugural Sands golf tournament became part of the festival's wider activities.

History

Joe Russo developed affection for Scotland and a close relationship with the University of St Andrews after his daughter enrolled at the university to study film in 2014. This included working with the university's film academics to judge student film festivals and delivering guest lectures. Inspired by his experience and engagement with the community, he proposed launching a film festival with the university.

Editions

YearHeadlinerSpeakersOpeningEndingRef
2022Joe RussoMollye Asher, Laura Carreira, Jono MacLeod and Adura OnashileMy Old School (2022) ScotlandLong Live My Happy Head (2022) Scotland
2023Stanley TucciReinaldo Marcus Green, Yvonne Isimeme Ibazebo, Paul Mezey, Ellen Mirojnick, Donald Mustard, Ita O'Brien, Joe Russo, Margery Simkin, John Sloss and Iain SmithCitadel (2023) United StatesRye Lane (2023) United Kingdom
2024Steven SoderberghAnna Hints, Harry and Tom Holland, Grainne Humphreys, Naqqash Kahlid, Chris van der Kuyl, Rachel Lambert, Donald Mustard, Russo brothers, Alan Silvestri and Debra ZaneMami Wata (2023) NigeriaMaestra (2023) United States
2025Dame Joanna LumleyAmman Abbasi, Kharmel Cochrane, Frank E. Flowers, James Griffiths, John Maclean, Manon Ouimet, Russo brothers, Elizabeth Sankey, Jeffrey E. Stern, Kathleen Wallfisch, Jeremy Warmsley and Kim YutaniThe Ballad of Wallis Island (2025) United KingdomTornado (2025) United Kingdom
2026Craig ArmstrongTony Benna, Gary Clark, Mohammadreza Eyni, Eva H.D, Charlie Kaufman, Sara Khaki, Zamo Mkhwanazi, Laura Mulvey, James Price, Joe Russo, Angela Russo-Otstot and John SlossPower Ballad (2026) United StatesCactus Pears (2025) India

Other Film Festivals in St Andrews

The event is not to be confused with the St Andrews Film Festival founded in 2018 and the student-run St Andrews Green Film Festival founded in 2013.

External links