ÉCU The European Independent Film Festival

ÉCU - European Independent Film Festival

Location	Paris
Founded	2006
Awards received	Best European Independent Film
Language	English and French
Website	http://www.ecufilmfestival.com/

ÉCU - The European Independent Film Festival is an annual international film festival dedicated to independent cinema. Held in Paris, France, it was created in 2006 by Scott Hillier. The festival is dedicated to the discovery and promotion of the best independent film making talents from Europe and beyond, showcasing films that demonstrate quality, innovation, and creativity in both form and content. These qualities are judged in 14 categories, 7 of which are open to non-European filmmakers (from the Americas, Australia, Africa, and Asia), and compete for 24 awards. Jury members come from all around the globe and have a variety of backgrounds. The founder and president of ÉCU, Scott Hillier, is a Paris-based Australian filmmaker. He gained international recognition from his strong cinematography, editing, writing producing and directing portfolio and served as Director of Photography on the documentary ‘Twin Towers’ which won an Academy Award in 2003.

The 11th edition of ÉCU – The European Independent Film Festival was held in Paris, France on April 8–10, 2016 at Cinema Les 7 Parnassiens, 75014 Paris.

As well as the film screenings, festival attendees had the opportunity to participate in an array of workshops, ‘Meet-the-Directors’ discussions in which the audience posed questions directly to the filmmakers. There was also a full program of live music hosted by ÉCU’s partner Access Film-Music at our after-parties on all three nights of the festival.

Workshops

Workshops are held at every festival edition.

During the festival, workshops available to all attendees are conducted by some of the most talented professionals in the film making industry. This unique opportunity gives a chance to the public to get into film making and to the enthusiasts to improve their craft.

Music

ÉCU is a strong supporter of musicians. Along with the usual film festival activities, live music can be heard throughout the entirety of the weekend.

Meet the director session

After each screening, the audience will have the opportunity to meet the directors and participate in a Question and Answer session. Here they will be able to directly ask questions to the filmmakers and to discuss in detail the ups and downs faced when creating a film.

ÉCU-on-the-road

^[1] Every year, the festival travels around the world making sure the “Official Selection” directors and films are made known. All this has been possible through the help of over 50 (and quickly growing) partner festivals, cultural centers and film commissions around the globe. During these events, some of the “Official Selection” films are screened, which furthers the size of the directors audience.

ÉCU-on-the-road 2015/2016

Categories

The festival comprises both European and non-European films.

European Categories

• Dramatic Feature
• Dramatic Short
• Documentary
• Animated Film
• Music Video
• Experimental Film
• Comedy Film

Non-European Categories

• Dramatic Feature
• Dramatic Short
• Documentary

Worldwide Categories

• Student Film
• Much More than a Script Competition
• Arab Section

Past Editions

ÉCU 2016

The 11th Annual European Independent Film Festival took place from April 8 to 10 at Cinéma Les 7 Parnassiens, 75014 Paris. After screening, 77 films from 31 countries over 3 days it all came down to one moment: the Award Ceremony. Films competed across 14 categories and were judged according to their quality, creativity, and independent spirit in both form and content.

ÉCU 2015

The 10th Annual European Independent Film Festival took place from April 10 to 12 at Cinéma Les 7 Parnassiens, 75014 Paris. During the 3 days screening, it showed 84 films from 32 countries and then came up with the award-winning list. This year's "ÉCU-on-the-Road", ÉCU went to São Paulo, Brazil, from January 29 to February 4; and Berlin, Germany, from January 14 to 15. Each of the event showcased more than 20 independent films.

ÉCU 2014

The 9th edition of ECU - The European Independent Film Festival

The 9th Annual European Independent Film Festival took place from April 4 to 6 at Cinéma Les 7 Parnassiens, 75014 Paris. As well as the film screenings, festival attendees had the opportunity to participate in an array of workshops as well as a series of ‘Meet the Directors‘ panel discussions, in which the audience pose questions directly to the filmmakers. There was also a full program of live music hosted by ÉCU’s partner Access Film-Music. Personalities from cinema, television and the arts, as well as filmmakers and film industry professionals, mixed with a cinema-loving public craving the energy, free spiritedness and innovation that embodies independent film.

ÉCU 2013

ÉCU 2013- The 8th Annual European Independent Film Festival was taking place from March 29 to March 31 and showcased 109films from 35 countries. The festival was located at the principal cinema Les 7 Parnassiens, film screenings and professional workshops about screenwriting, directing, editing, acting, and sound mixing were being held at Cinéma Action Christine. The Arab Section was held at Cinéma Lincoln.

Press

• http://www.france24.com/en/20110402-en-culture-europeanindependent-film-festival-scott-hillier-catherine-nicholson
• http://www.irishfilmboard.ie/irish_film_industry/news/Charlie_Casanova_to_have_European_premiere_at_ECU_Festival_in_Paris/1593
• http://www.parisetudiant.com/etudiant/sortie/festival-europeen-du-film-independant-2.html
• http://hungryeyemagazine.com/hungry-eye-newseuropean-independentfilm-festival-toshowcase-2011-winning-filmsin-tbilisi-georgia/
• http://futureinfilm.com/blog/european-independent-film-festival

References