International Film Festival of St Andrews

Sands: International Film Festival of St Andrews
Genre	Film festival
Frequency	Annually, in Spring
Venue	Byre Theatre University of St Andrews
Location(s)	St Andrews, Scotland, UK
Inaugurated	March 2022 (2022-03)
Founder	Joe Russo
Most recent	25–27 April 2025
Director	Ania Trzebiatowska [1]
Sponsor	AGBO
Website	sands-iff.com

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. ^[2] 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. ^[3] In 2024, the inaugural Sands golf tournament became part of the festival's wider activities. ^[4]

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. ^[5]

Editions

Year	Headliner	Speakers	Opening	Ending	Ref
2022	Joe Russo	Mollye Asher, Laura Carreira, Jono MacLeod and Adura Onashile	Hive (2021)	Long Live My Happy Head (2022)	[6] [7]
2023	Stanley Tucci	Reinaldo Marcus Green, Yvonne Isimeme Ibazebo, Paul Mezey, Ellen Mirojnick, Donald Mustard, Ita O'Brien, Joe Russo, Margery Simkin, John Sloss and Iain Smith	Klondike (2022)	Rye Lane (2023)	[8] [9]
2024	Steven Soderbergh	Anna Hints, Harry and Tom Holland, Grainne Humphreys, Naqqash Kahlid, Chris van der Kuyl, Rachel Lambert, Donald Mustard, Russo brothers, Alan Silvestri and Debra Zane	Mami Wata (2023)	Maestra (2023)	[10] [11]
2025	Dame Joanna Lumley	Amman 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 Yutani	The Ballad of Wallis Island (2025)	Tornado (2025)	[12] [13]

Other Film Festivals in St Andrews

The event is not to be confused with the St Andrews Film Festival founded in 2018 ^[14] and the student-run St Andrews Green Film Festival founded in 2013. ^[15]

References

1. Walker, Richard (25 April 2025). "From Sundance to St Andrews – film festival director inspired to come to Scotland". The National.
2. McCartney, Scott (13 October 2021). "Sands: International Film Festival of St Andrews launches with backing from Avengers director Joe Russo". The Scotsman.
3. "Avengers director Joe Russo to speak at Sands International Film Festival of St Andrews". The Courier. 19 March 2022.
4. "Tom Holland Talks 'Spider-Man' And Plans For Fourth Movie: "This Is The First Time I've Been Part Of The Creative So Early…Everyone Wants It To Happen" — Sands Film Festival". Deadline Hollywood. 22 April 2024.
5. "Fore! AGBO Principal Joe Russo & Fest Vet Ania Trzebiatowska Launching Film Festival In Scotland's St. Andrews, Golf's Birthplace". Deadline Hollywood. 19 October 2021.
6. "Sands International Film Festival of St Andrews" (PDF). International Film Festival of St Andrews.
7. "Joe Russo At The Sands International Film Festival: An Empire Podcast Interview Special". Empire . 12 May 2022.
8. "Sands Friday 14 – Sunday 16 April 2023 Film Brochure" (PDF). International Film Festival of St Andrews.
9. "Stanley Tucci praises St Andrews film festival". Scottish Field. 18 April 2023.
10. "Steven Soderbergh to headline international film festival in Scotland". The National. 21 March 2024.
11. "Tom Holland confirms he's returning for fourth Spider-Man movie". NME. 22 April 2024.
12. Ntim, Zac (26 April 2025). "Sands International Film Festival Opens With Raucous Homecoming Screening Of Carey Mulligan Comedy 'The Ballad Of Wallis Island'". Deadline.
13. "Sands 25: International Film Festival of St Andrews" (PDF). International Film Festival of St Andrews. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
14. "The Film Festival in the Heart of Historic Scotland". The St Andrews Film Festival.
15. "Green Film Festival". St Andrews Green Film Festival.

External links

• Official website