Scottish movie stars young and not so young are to be beamed on to one of Edinburgh's most prominent landmarks to launch EIFF2001.

Images of Sir Sean Connery, Ewan McGregor and Billy Connolly will be projected on to Edinburgh castle rocks in the centre of town, alongside images of certain festival films.

EIFF lead sponsor FilmFour conceived the bold marketing plan but it was nearly too bold as they managed to find one of only eight projectors in the world capable of the job.

A FilmFour spokesman said, "We believe the public will enjoy seeing icons of film including the likes of Sean Connery and Ewan McGregor lighting up the city. The images bring the film festival to the heart of the city and create an occasion that everyone who enjoys film can take pleasure in."

The images will be projected from 10pm to 11pm on opening night and repeated on August 18 and 25.