Signature Entertainment are thrilled to announce that Rise of the Footsoldier: Retribution has been selected to premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival this summer, marking the franchise’s first-ever appearance at a film festival. The selection represents a landmark moment for the long-running series as it continues to evolve while staying true to the gritty storytelling that has made it one of Britain’s most enduring crime franchises.
The film will be screening at the renowned festival’s Midnight Madness strand on August 17, ahead of its theatrical release later that month.
“This is an adrenaline-pumping, full-blooded and relentless roaring rampage of revenge, taking this fantastic homegrown franchise to new heights. We are thrilled to world premiere the film in our Midnight Madness strand at EIFF. Bring it on.” Paul Ridd, CEO & Festival Director, Edinburgh International Film Festival
Coinciding with the festival announcement, Signature Entertainment also unveils the film’s striking-new teaser artwork, giving audiences a fresh look at the latest chapter in the iconic British crime franchise.
Rise of the Footsoldier: Retribution is the biggest and most ambitious chapter yet. Set against the backdrop of 1990s Ibiza, the action-packed revenge thriller sees Craig Fairbrass return as Pat Tate in a standalone story that combines the franchise’s trademark crime drama with high-octane action, international intrigue and a host of new adversaries.
Synopsis: Get ready for the biggest and most action packed film in the successful independent crime saga. Pat Tate heads to Ibiza to avenge his trusted friend’s murder, but gets entangled in a weapons trafficking operation headed by ruthless mercenaries (Tamer Hassan & Leo Gregory). To complicate the matter, the trafficking operation is also closely monitored by the CIA. Fuelled with rage, Tate is a killing machine with only revenge in mind. But when his mission disrupts the others’ high stake operations, Tate gets hunted by arms dealers, mercenaries, and American agents alike. A brutal fight for survival ensues, as Tate battles to be the last man standing.
Starring Craig Fairbrass (Muscle), Tamer Hassan (The Business), Leo Gregory (Green Street), Jamie Foreman (Layer Cake), Jana Perez (Holmes and Watson), Ross McCall (Band of Brothers), Vincent Regan (300) and Phil Davis (Quadrophenia) and introducing Vanessa Bauer in her feature film debut. The film is written by Andrew Loveday and Nick Nevern, directed by Nick Nevern and produced by Andrew Loveday.
Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) is the world’s oldest continually running film festival and, in 2024, relaunched as a brand new entity with a new board of industry leaders. Honouring 70+ years of festival history, EIFF showcases the very best filmmaking talent in a re-energised format that is rooted in a local Scottish context whilst embracing the international diversity of creative expression.