EDINBURGH'S annual film festival will continue to take place in June and will bring back its biggest award.

This year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival controversially ditched the Michael Powell Award for best British feature film, and featured fewer films and no “gala” premieres, which led to much criticism and concern over the future of the festival.

There was also debate over whether the festival, which recently appointed Chris Fujiwara as its artistic director, would move back to its former calendar slot in August. This would have allowed it to be staged at the same time as the rest of the main Edinburgh festivals.

However, Ken Hay, the new interim chief executive, said the “June or August” debate was over and the festival dates were now “final”.

In 2012, the 66th festival will run between June 20 and July 1.

Mr Hay said: “The June or August debate has been at the forefront of discussions since the end of this year’s festival and is a matter on which the board has sought broad consultation.

“The film industry, and the press, distributors and sales agents, have all been part of the conversation to ensure a decision that is correct and will provide the best future for the festival.”

However, the Michael Powell Award will return. It was named in homage to one of Britain’s most original filmmakers and inaugurated in 1993.