ÉCU The European Independent Film Festival

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.

Quality, innovation, and creativity are judged in 14 categories, 7 of which are open to non-European filmmakers (from the Americas, Australia, Africa, and Asia), and compete for 25 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 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 18th edition of ÉCU was held on April 14–16, 2023 in Paris, France.

As well as the film screenings, festival attendees can participate in a wide variety of workshops and events. Following each screening session, 'Meet-the-Directors' discussions are held in which audience members pose questions directly to the filmmakers. There is also a full program of live music hosted by ÉCU's partner Access Film-Music at the festival after-parties.



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 Special Selection

Workshops
During the festival, workshops are available to all attendees and are conducted by professionals in the film making industry.

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

Q&A session
After each screening, the audience has the opportunity to meet the directors and participate in a Question and Answer session. Where they will have the opportunity to directly ask questions to the filmmakers and to discuss in detail the difficulties and highlights of the process of film creation.

ÉCU-on-the-road
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 events

Past Editions
 ÉCU 2024 

The 19th ÉCU - The European Independent Film Festival took place from 19 to 21 April 2024.

 ÉCU 2019 

The 15th ÉCU - The European Independent Film Festival took place from 23 to 26 April 2020. Due to COVID-19 pandemic the festival took place online, with the films being screened on the festival's website, followed by the recorded Q&A sessions with the directors.

 ÉCU 2019 

The 14th ÉCU - The European Independent Film Festival took place from 5–7 April 2019 at Cinema Les 7 Parnassiens in Paris. The participants of the festival enjoyed the screening of 79 independent films, workshops dedicated to the filmmaking industry together with #sheshoots, a discussion panel focused on women filmmakers and actresses. In addition, there was the possibility to meet the directors and asked them everything about their film. Afterparties and live music performances were organised to close every day of the festival.

The winners of ÉCU - The European Independent Film Festival 2019:

 ÉCU 2018 

The 13th ÉCU - The European Independent Film Festival took place from May 4–6 at Cinema Les 7 Parnassiens in Paris. 81 films from 37 countries were screened during the 3-day festival.

During the festival weekend, international audiences were exposed to film and their filmmakers from across a spectrum of experiences, cultures, and genres. The Director Q&A sessions provided a setting for discussion between the audience and the directors on filmmaking, while after-parties throughout Paris extended these conversations into the fueled early morning hours. ÉCU endeavours to provide a cultural platform not only for entertainment but also for active networking across the independent film world. Here are the winners of ÉCU - The European Independent Film Festival 2018:

ÉCU 2017
The 12th ÉCU - The European Independent Film Festival took place from 21st to 23 April 2017 at Cinema Les 7 Parnassiens in Paris. 73 films from 28 countries were screened during the 3 day festival. In addition, the audience attended '#SheShoots - Female Filmmakers in Conversation' discussion panel.

Here are the winners of ÉCU - The European Independent Film Festival 2017:

ÉCU 2016
The 11th Annual ÉCU - The European Independent Film Festival took place from April 8 to 10 at Cinéma Les 7 Parnassiens, 75014 Paris. 77 films from 31 countries were screened over 3 days. 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 event showcased more than 20 independent films.

ÉCU 2014
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.

ÉCU 2013
ÉCU 2013- The 8th Annual European Independent Film Festival took place from March 29 to March 31 and showcased 109 films 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 held at Cinéma Action Christine. The Arab Section was held at Cinéma Lincoln.