ÉCU - The European Independent Film Festival (21)

Films should be independent in spirit and original in perspective. This category is open to all European feature films made with less than 50% participation by a major studio or television broadcaster. “What a great festival! I had a fantastic time enjoying great films. I just want to thank you so very much for all the effort you guys put into making it happen. It was GREAT!” – Alberto Sciamma, Special Jury Mention, I Love My Mum “I’m so happy to be a part of ÉCU. I’m fascinated as it is a really, really strong festival and it genuinely has an independent sensibility about it.“ - Duncan Ward, director of HERE LIES, one of the films in the European Dramatic Feature category and winner of Best European Independent Film at ÉCU 2015.

Films should be independent in spirit and original in perspective. This category is open to all European feature films made with less than 50% participation by a major studio or television broadcaster. “What a great festival! I had a fantastic time enjoying great films. I just want to thank you so very much for all the effort you guys put into making it happen. It was GREAT!” – Alberto Sciamma, Special Jury Mention, I Love My Mum “It is important that festivals do as they say, when they say they're indie. Not just to look cool, and feel indie, but promote indie filmmaking because the movies that ÉCU screened this weekend, all deserve to be seen and it is importantt that people back that up and put it on the screen, at let everyone see it. - Felipe Rodriguez, director of “Kidnap Capital“, winner of Best Non-European Independent Dramatic Feature at ÉCU 2016.

Films should be independent in spirit and original in perspective. Open to all European short films made with less than 50% participation by a major studio or television broadcaster. Running time cannot exceed 30 minutes. “Thanks again for an incredible festival – well done!” – Charlie Reader, Audience Award, Everything You Didn’t Say I had such a great time at the festivals. Really, amazing films, interesting filmmakers. It was an inspirational visit for me. Thanks to you all for your enthusiastic and truly supportive organization! You're awesome! - Martijn Winkler, director of #tagged, winner of Best Director award at ÉCU 2018

Films should be independent in spirit and original in perspective. Open to all European documentaries made with less than 50% participation by a major studio or television broadcaster. “I would like to thank you for this wonderful weekend full of new experiences and film watching. The festival team provided a great, creative and welcoming atmosphere. It was wonderful to meet so many interesting and creative personalities all together. I would like to thank you for appreciating my work and efforts!” - Rita Broka, Director of M FERMA, winner of Best European Independent Documentary at ÉCU 2012. Thank you very much for selection our shortmovie Has#tag at the ECU Film festival. We had a wonderful evening on the openingnight on Friday! And yes: also the party was great. Keep on going with the good and independent vibes! I really love what you guys do!" - Kevin Hoed, director of Has#tag, winner of Best Director award at ÉCU 2018

Films should be independent in spirit and original in perspective. Open to all European animated work in the moving image field made with less than 50% participation by a major studio or television broadcaster. “It is fantastic to be part of ÉCU, it has been my dream for quite some time now to have a film screen in Paris. Also, to have a screening at such a prestigious festival as well, it is more than a dream come true, it is amazing!“ - Rachel Moore, Director of UP IN A PLANE, part of the Official selection in the European Independent Animated Film category at ÉCU 2015. "I'm honoured to be amongst such crafted filmmakers…such wonderful people." - Daniela Leitner, director of LATE SEASON, winner of Best European Independent Animated Film 2017.

Films should be independent in spirit and original in perspective. Open to all European work in the moving image field that can be deemed experimental made with less than 50% participation by a major studio or television broadcaster. “Winning a prize at ÉCU was an excellent surprise and it has had a very positive impact on the film. After this award the film has been selected to many festivals around the world on ÉCU-on-the-Road tour and that is great, because it’s difficult to exist in the independent cinema and it’s difficult to meet the people that appreciate your work.” - Eric Dinkian, director of KORE, winner of Best European Experimental Film at ÉCU 2013. "I had such a great time at the festivals. Really, amazing films, interesting filmmakers. It was an inspirational visit for me. Thanks to you all for your enthusiastic and truly supportive organization! You're awesome!" - Martijn Winkler, director of #tagged, winner of Best Director award at ÉCU 2018

Films should be independent in spirit and original in perspective. Open to all European and non-European student films made with less than 50% participation by a major studio or television broadcaster. “We found all of your staff to be incredibly friendly and accommodating. Personally, I felt very welcome and at ease. I greatly enjoyed the Q&A’s and was glad to have the chance to meet with and talk to everyone else about my film. I couldn’t have asked for a better environment in which to showcase my work.” - Michael van der Put, Director of CALLUM, winner of Best Independent Student Film at ÉCU 2012 "I had such a great time at the festivals. Really, amazing films, interesting filmmakers. It was an inspirational visit for me. Thanks to you all for your enthusiastic and truly supportive organization! You're awesome!" - Martijn Winkler, director of #tagged, winner of Best Director award at ÉCU 2018

Films should be independent in spirit and original in perspective. Open to all non-European feature films made with less than 50% participation by a major studio or television broadcaster. “Thank you so much for having us and showing our film! I had so many valuable encounters, the atmosphere was great and the viewing was also very good.” – Martijn Hullegie, ÉCU 2019 Official Selection, Perfect Present "I just wanted to thank you personally for the chance to show and participate at Ecu. I can assume how hard (and fun) as you say to run an indie fest. I hope we will have many more film screenings together!!!!" - Ran Slavin, CALL FOR DREAMS, ÉCU 2018 Official Selection

Films should be independent in spirit and original in perspective. Open to all non-European feature films made with less than 50% participation by a major studio or television broadcaster. “It is important that festivals do as they say, when they say they're indie. Not just to look cool, and feel indie, but promote indie filmmaking because the movies that ÉCU screened this weekend, all deserve to be seen and it is importantt that people back that up and put it on the screen, at let everyone see it. - Felipe Rodriguez, director of “Kidnap Capital“, winner of Best Non-European Independent Dramatic Feature at ÉCU 2016. I just wanted to thank you personally for the chance to show and participate at Ecu. I can assume how hard (and fun) as you say to run an indie fest. I hope we will have many more film screenings together!!!! - Ran Slavin, CALL FOR DREAMS, competitor at ÉCU 2018.

Films should be independent in spirit and original in perspective. Open to all non-European short films made with less than 50% participation by a major studio or television broadcaster. Running time cannot exceed 30 minutes. “Thank you so much for the great opportunity to take part at the 14th edition of ÉCU, we had such a good time, learned a lot and enjoyed the workshops, the events and most of all the amazing films. We are thankful for your great hospitality and the professional and so friendly work of the festival staff.” – Liat Akta, Best Non-European Dramatic Short 2019, The Mouse "You guys did a great job of organising the event and would love to stay in contact with you all for future projects" - Matt Portman, co-director of PASSION GAP, winner of Best Non-European Independent Dramatic Short Film at ÉCU 2018.

Open to all non-European documentaries made with less than 50% participation by a major studio or television broadcaster. “ÉCU was the first to see the film’s merits, the first to grant it an award. What a special time that was in Paris!” - Jeffrey Karoff, CAVEDIGGER, winner of ÉCU 2013; one of eight documentary short films that competed for the 86th Academy Awards. “It is important that festivals do as they say, when they say they're indie. Not just to look cool, and feel indie, but promote indie filmmaking because the movies that ÉCU screened this weekend, all deserve to be seen and it is importantt that people back that up and put it on the screen, at let everyone see it. - Felipe Rodriguez, director of “Kidnap Capital“, winner of Best Non-European Independent Dramatic Feature at ÉCU 2016.

Videos should be independent in spirit and original in perspective. Open to all European independent music videos. The video's budget cannot have been funded more than 50% by a record company or music publishing entity. “I was over the moon to hear about our film winning the Best Editing award! Thank you so much for being so kind and generous recognizing and allowing our film to take part in your festival and also – beyond anything – awarding it!” Savvas Stavrou, Best Editing Award 2019, SUBMISSION I had such a great time at the festivals. Really, amazing films, interesting filmmakers. It was an inspirational visit for me. Thanks to you all for your enthusiastic and truly supportive organization! You're awesome! - Martijn Winkler, director of #tagged, winner of Best Director award at ÉCU 2018

Films should be independent in spirit and original in perspective. This category is open to all European comedies made with less than 50% participation by a major studio or television broadcaster. “It’s always an honour to be nominated for an international film festival, especially one as nice and fun as ÉCU. Wim was selected for ÉCU in 2012 with his short film ‘Beats of Love’ and he has some very good memories of his time in Paris so it’s great to be back with some new work.” - Thomas Baerten & Wim Geudens, Directors of DE SMET, winner of Best European Independent Comedy Film at ÉCU 2015. I had such a great time at the festivals. Really, amazing films, interesting filmmakers. It was an inspirational visit for me. Thanks to you all for your enthusiastic and truly supportive organization! You're awesome! - Martijn Winkler, director of #tagged, winner of Best Director award at ÉCU 2018

For the 9th year in the row ÉCU is highlighting independent Arab filmmakers, competing for The Ahmed Khedr Award for Excellence in Arab Filmmaking. The winner of this “Special Section,” will receive an award for their outstanding creative efforts dedicated to the memory of the late Ahmed Khedr, a talented director and good friend of the festival. "Films should be independent in spirit, original in perspective and made with less than 50% participation by a major studio or television broadcaster. I had such a great time at the festivals. Really, amazing films, interesting filmmakers. It was an inspirational visit for me. Thanks to you all for your enthusiastic and truly supportive organization! You're awesome!" - Martijn Winkler, director of #tagged, winner of Best Director award at ÉCU 2018

We at ÉCU understand that for many talented writers - especially those without representation - it is difficult getting scripts read by the people that matter: directors, producers and heads of development. That’s why we decided to launch ÉCU's Much More than a Script Competition back in 2009. We will read scripts in English, French, Spanish, German, and Italian before making an official selection of the very best.

We at ÉCU understand that for many talented writers - especially those without representation - it is difficult getting scripts read by the people that matter: directors, producers and heads of development. That’s why we decided to launch ÉCU's Much More than a Script Competition back in 2009. We will read scripts in English, French, Spanish, German, and Italian before making an official selection of the very best.