Gracie Otto, an ÉCU Alumni from the 2006 festival is working on her new feature documentary Chalky on legendary British producer Michael White, possibly the best known and most loved man in the world of theatre, film and celebrity. Want to  support this project? Then click on the link above. // Gracie Otto, un cinéaste du Festival ÉCU 2006 travaille sur son nouveau documentaire "Chalky" sur le célèbre producteur anglais Michael W...

  ÉCU SPOTLIGHT: CHARLIE KAUFMAN AND “CROWDFUNDING” ÉCU is a strong supporter of the unbridled creativity which is afforded to indie filmmakers, but acknowledges the difficulties in financing costs. This week the spotlight is on the acclaimed American screenwriter, director and producer Charlie Kaufman, who defies conventions and creates inspiringly innovative work. In September he raised twice the $200,000 budget required to produce his upcoming animat...

 The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is North America’s most favoured 11 days for independent film. For 36 years, TIFF has provided an audience driven environment where independent filmmakers can premiere their work, and Canadian film has the opportunity to be presented on an international level. Film festivals and Canada were on my mind as I waited to have an interview with Manon Briand, a Quebecois director whose new feature film “Liverpool” was showing in TI...

Founded by Saint Petersburg Filmmaker’s Union festival, The Open St. Petersburg Student Film Festival “Beginning” is held annually with the assistance of the Committee of Culture of Saint Petersburg Government. The Film Festival “Beginning” represents a very important opportunity for independent and new cinema in Saint Petersburg. Every year the city at the Neva River welcomes young filmmakers, documentarians, directors, script writers, sound producers and all representatives i...

ÉCU SPOTLIGHT: CATHERINE DENEUVE – THE QUEEN OF FRENCH CINEMA Catherine Deneuve: The queen of French cinema that winks at the Independent cinema by Alessia Massa If you have a love for film, you must have a certain appreciation for French cinema. From the Lumière brothers to today, the French cinema has contributed many masterpieces that have helped to write cinematography history. Independent cinema is able to strike the heart’s chords; it can make you smile, touch you,...

Budding young filmmaker? Creative writer? Marketing genius? Social Media Pro? Here is a great opportunity for you to gain hands-on experience in the fantastic world of cinema while working with a cool international team in the heart of Paris. ÉCU – The European Independent Film Festival, one of Europe’s leading festivals for Indie filmmakers, needs YOU to ensure the success of the festival’s 8th edition. We are looking for open-minded, hard-working, autonomous and really fun people...

This week the spotlight is on Marcel Carné, an innovative filmmaker who led the poetic realism movement and was arguably considered the most admired French filmmaker of his era. He produced his great works just before the mid-twentieth century, some of which include; “Quai de Brumes” (1938); “Les Portes de la Nuit” (1946); and “Le Jour se lève” (1939). In 1936 Carné directed his first full length feature film “Jenny” and it was with the production of this fil...

The French psychologist Olivia de Groc, joins the project to promote a case study on the situation of the children in Chunchi. The study will be allocated to associations as ANAR Foundation, NGOs like Volunteer Ecuador and all contributors involved in the project. Help us! THE DOCUMENTARY In a small town in Ecuador at 2, 280 metres above sea level, sixty two children have commited suicide over the last five years from hanging themselves, ingesting rat poison, solvents, gunpowder from fir...

ÉCU’s Partners Four River Film Festival and Youth Film Festival – The Yellow carpet     From 12th to 15th September 2012, the 17th Youth Film Festival and the 5th Four River Festival will become the most important place for Croatian as well as international high school film. Thanks to the organization of the Croatian Film Association and the Cinema Club Karlovac, the city of Karlovac will again “become yellow” and about 160 high school kids from all over the ...

     "G-Technology's Driven Creativity Competition is on the search for most inspiring and driven creativity - rewarding not just the aestetic qualities of your entry but also the innovation and drive. Entry is FREE and the competition is for pros and amateurs across Europe. Have your creative drive rewarded with G-Technology storage system or €5,000 towards your next project!"  http://g-technology.eu/competition/ ...

Sigh…. It is the time of the la rentrée, or the return from vacation for most Parisians and we all know what that means… summer is almost finish. But that’s no reason to cry! With everyone back in town again, and the hustle and bustle about, there are plenty of  things to do and see!   Event: “Musical Fountains” at the Chateau de Versailles Details: Enjoy the last month of sun and warmth surrounded by the gorgeous gardens of Versailles. During the month of Sep...

Big thanks to our partners OPEN CINEMA Film Festival in Russia who hosted ÉCU Special Screening of Berlinoises,The Return (Kthimi), A Lost and Found Box of Human Sensations and Zoltan: The Hungarian Gangster of Love the end of August. Here  is a little collage from the evening. /// Un grand merci a nos partenaires OPEN CINEMA Film Festival en Russie qui ont organise la projection des films ÉCU- "Berlinoises", "A Lost and Found Box of Human Sensations", "The Retur...

This week ÉCU is spotlighting Isabella Ferrari, an Italian actress and Jury member of the International Jury Prize “Luigi De Laurentiis” at the 69 edition of the Venice Film Festival, the oldest film festivals in the world. Isabella is also one of the most beloved actresses of “auteur Italian independent cinema”, highly esteemed by film buffs. Isabella Ferrari was born in Ponte dell’Oglio, near to Piacenza, on March 31st, 1964. Over the years she has worked in Italy and abroad, w...

American Foundation for Bulgaria has the pleasure to invite you to participate in the selection for the program of the 8-th Students’ Film Festival EARLY BIRD! “Early Bird” is open for national and European participation. All students from European universities/schools, who have not still completed their education in film/tv are invited to enter for competition fiction, documentary or animation student films produced in the school. The films sent for selection m...

He was born in August 1912. At twelve years-old, he became a paper boy, at seventeen, a criminal reporter for The New York Graphic, at twenty, a ghost writer, at thirty, a decorated soldier. Scorsese said of him that “when you respond to a Fuller film, what you’re responding to is cinema at its essence. Motion as emotion. Fuller’s pictures move convulsively, violently. Just like life when it’s being lived with genuine passion”. This week, we celebrate Samuel Fuller’s centennial. ...

“BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Forum” in London is Now Open for Submissions!! The forum, now in its twelfth year, is a platform for new writing and a networking event that has had huge significance for lots of career starters in the film and T V industries.The final deadline for submissions is 20 September, so hurry up!//"BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Forum " à Londres est maintenant ouvert aux propositions! Le forum en est à sa douzième année, est une plate-forme pour la nouvel...

Tony Scott best known for Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop andEnemy of the State was found dead after jumping from California bridge. Rest in peace, our hearts go out to the Scott family. We have lost one of the greatest directors of our time. ...