ÉCU - The European Independent Film Festival proudly provides the platform for independent filmmakers to express authentic, cinematic storytelling in the most compelling ways possible.
As one of the world’s most recognised independent film festivals in the world, ÉCU embraces innovation and creativity and allows directors in competition to showcase their films to audiences who love and appreciate independent cinema. Filmmakers who are selected into ÉCU’s Official Selection join an active community of creatives who are continually pushing the boundaries of independent cinema.
Since its inception in 2006, ÉCU has forged a path for independent film and the scope of its presence has grown to a global scale with the festival often being referenced as the European equivalent of Sundance; an honour that we don’t take lightly.
"Paris has become my second home, and ÉCU my creative family. Mr.Scott Hillier is now the father of my independent spirit. I’m deeply honored and grateful for the Audience Award, and truly moved to see my film open the official 2025 trailer. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." Fumitaka Otoguro producer of Tokyo Strange Tale winner of the Audience Award 2025
"This festival is an outstanding, welcoming, and attentive event for independent film lovers, catering to both the audience and filmmakers. It devotes considerable attention to the presentation and dissemination of films and their creators, and also meticulously analyzes film themes and content. The team of festival organizers is exceptional, demonstrating great care and responsibility. We are very happy that our film PURGA was featured in this festival. Highly recommended!" - Gintare Valeviciute Brazauskienė, Co-director of PURGA, the winner of the Best European Independent Animation award 2024
"Great opportunity for independent filmmakers around the world, the festival has values and I like the way people engaged and watched all the films with passionate." - Abdulmohsen Almutairi, director of Memories from the North, ÉCU 2023 Official Selection
"It is always an absolute joy to present one's work at ECU. The team are fantastically helpful, the jury extremely competent, and the selection of the highest quality. I would recommend participating to anyone who's in love with indie filmmaking!" - Celina Liesegang, producer of Viscera: Autopsy of a (non)human body, ÉCU 2022 Official Selection
"It was an absolute privilege to be part of the ÉCU Film Festival and in the company of so many incredible and high quality independent films! What truly fantastic programming and as a filmmaker you are really made to feel part of a passionate global community of people who really believe in the same values around story telling and visual expression. Thank you to the whole team behind the scenes." - Karina Astrup, producer of MORGANA, ÉCU 2021 Official Selection
Each year, our festival takes place in Paris during the springtime, which is not only a beautiful season but also an exciting time of year for ÉCU, because that is when we showcase roughly around 60 of the World’s very best independent films. Although ÉCU emphasises European talent, it also recognises the genius of international filmmakers with several categories allocated to non-European films.
The next ÉCU, the 22nd edition, will take place on April, 2027 in Paris, France.
ÉCU isn’t just about screening an amazing slate of films over its three-day event in Paris. There are also professional workshops led by experts in the industry, Q&A’s held with the attending filmmakers after every screening session and a chance to network with fellow filmmakers, producers, agents, industry representatives, prospective film buyers and, of course, the cinema-loving public. At ÉCU, there is a dialogue focusing on celebrating but also critiquing the world’s best indie cinema of today.
Though ÉCU’s main event IS the three-day festival in Paris each spring, there is even more! Thanks to our 50+ partner festivals, partner organisations, film centres and film commissions, ÉCU goes on an annual world tour called ÉCU-On-The-Road. This gives award-winning films (as well as many of the Official Selection films) the opportunity for their films to reach a broader, global, international audience.
ÉCU-On-The-Road showcased films in over 80 countries around the globe in 2016 to 2025 at special ÉCU mini-festivals, partner festivals, cultural institutions and film schools, including an amazing seven day special festival in São Paulo, Brazil. The event was made possible through the support of Caixa Cultural, São Paulo and was a huge success. ÉCU also held special events in Berlin (Germany), Atami (Japan) and was part of festivals in Lebanon, Italy, Russia, USA, Romania, Austria, Denmark and other countries. This gives ÉCU filmmakers great exposure to audiences that they may never have reached otherwise.
Since 2006, ÉCU has helped the careers of hundreds of independent filmmakers, actors, DPs, editors, screenwriters and we are honoured to give aspiring film directors the chance for their voices to be seen and heard.
Above all, we are proud to be a filmmakers’ festival!
Prizes range from year to year, but are donated by partners like Beachtek, The Kitchen, O'CD, My Air Bridge, Emily Jolie, InkTip, Write Brothers, Peter D. Marshall, Scriptwriters Network, Luno Color Grade Studios and others.
