Mick Jagger moves from singing to acting

The mini-festival is the brainchild of new artistic director, Shane Danielson.

He said he wanted to build on the strong foundations established by his predecessor Lizzie Francke.

"She left the festival in conspicuously good shape: internationally-respected and immensely popular with both the public and the film industry," said Mr Danielson.

"My task, now, is simply to build upon these firm foundations. I want to make Edinburgh's International Film Festival a more regular and dependable presence in the film-going lives of its community."

Award-winning

Mr Danielson added that the mini-event would also provide a showcase for original film-making that might "otherwise go unseen in this country".

The Man From Elysian Fields is a comedy, also featuring Julianna Margulies, Olivia Williams and James Coburn.

Sean Penn: A star guest at last year's August event

It tells the story of an advertising executive, played by Garcia, who quits his job to become a writer.

He is helped by the suave owner of an upmarket escort business, played by Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger.

Also on the programme is French feature Murderous Maids. It tells the story of a murder that shook France almost 70 years ago.

It revisits the case of the Papin sisters, two servants who killed and mutilated their mistress and her daughter in Lyon.

Also from France comes Sur Mes Levres (Read My Lips) from French director Jacques Audiard.

Other international features include the award-winning Australian-German collaboration Lantana. Norway presents comedy Elling and Iran shows Baran.

Stars

Mr Danielson said: "They (the films) represent a different kind of film-making; another voice."

He concluded that the mini-festival was just the beginning of a more ambitious plan to hold movie events throughout the year.

Meanwhile, the main film festival - running this year from 14 to 25 August - remains an important fixture in the global film-making calendar.

It regularly attracts many world premi�res and big name stars and directors.