The director husband of English actress Kate Winslet has the honour of launching this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF).

Sam Mendes’ new film Away We Go has been chosen to open the summer event, which takes place between June 17th and 28th.

Organisers have yet to reveal the full programme for the annual event, but Mendes’ role has been confirmed.

Mendes said: "I was last in Edinburgh in 1987 at the Fringe, and most nights the cast outnumbered the audience. So I’m really looking forward to returning – hopefully to a full house."

He added that Away We Go will provide a perfect opening for the 63rd festival in the Scottish capital.

Winslet and her other half recently worked on a movie together for the first time when she starred in Revolutionary Road.

She appeared alongside Titanic co-star Leonardo DiCaprio for the first time since the famous James Cameron flick.