PRESS RELEASE - ÉCU - The European Independent Film Festival, Europe's premier event for independent filmmakers and their audiences, announces its' Official Selection for the ninth edition of the festival which will take place on the 4th, 5th and 6th of April 2014 in Paris.
ÉCU 2014 will showcase 85 films from 32 countries ranging from feature films, short films, documentaries, animation and student films to experimental works. ÉCU's Official Selection represents the very best independent filmmaking talents from the world and filmmakers will be competing in 12 categories for 22 awards, including the prestigious title of 'Best European Independent Film 2014'. In addition, we will be presenting a special section competing for the Ahmed Khedr Award for Excellence in Arab Filmmaking.
Some highlights from the ÉCU 2014 Official Selection are: "Not Anymore: A Story of Revolution" (Dir. Matthew VanDyke, USA), a documentary that recounts the Syrian revolution through the experiences of one young Syrian female photo-journalist. "We Will Riot" (Dir. Romas Zabarauskas, Lithuania), a feature film that follows Luke, a DJ from an affluent New York family, who decides to fly to Lithuania to meet up with his roots. Another film in competition is "216 Months" (Dir. Valentin Potier and Frédéric Potier, France), in which Maureen, a successful ventriloquist country and western singer, dealing with her 24 year-old unborn son. Also in the Official Selection is the short film "Damn Girl" (Dir. Kira Richards Hansen, Denmark); a coming-of-age story about Alex, a 12-year old tomboy.
"We eagerly look forward to giving these great indie films the recognition they deserve by screening them to large audiences here in Paris," said Scott Hillier, Oscar-honoured filmmaker and ÉCU's founder. "In its 9th year, ÉCU continues its tradition of being a true filmmakers' festival, in which directors develop their unique creative styles in a warm and welcoming environment."
As well as the film screenings, festival attendees will have the opportunity to participate in an array of workshops, such as scriptwriting, editing and directing, as well as a series of 'Meet the Directors' panel discussions, in which the audience pose questions directly to the filmmakers. There is 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, will mix with a cinema-loving public craving the energy, free spiritedness and innovation that embodies independent film.
Since its inception nine years ago, ÉCU has proved to be a discovery point for many of the world's most talented independent filmmakers. As a result of ÉCU's commitment to the discovery, promotion and projection of independent films, it is often referred to as the European version of the Sundance Film Festival.
The European Independent Film Festival 2014 will take place on the 4th, 5th and 6th of April in Paris at the Cinema 7 Parnassiens, 75014 Paris. For more information and a full list of the 2014 Official Selection, go to www.ecufilmfestival.com.
