This year's festival will take place on the 13th, 14th & 15th March, 2009.

Approximately one hundred films will be selected to compete in
thirteen categories including features, shorts, documentaries,
animation, student films and experimental. The festival's 'official
selection' will represent the pinnacle of contemporary filmmaking
talent from around the world and compete for twenty-two awards
including the prestigious title of "Europe's Best Independent Film".
At ÉCU 2008, dozens of distribution agreements were signed, and
several films were sold directly after their screening.

"I'm being continually amazed at the quality of films submitted to the
festival. The idea that there are people all over the world united by
their overwhelming desire to tell a masterful story, most often with
limited resources, shows that the creative spirit of independent
filmmakers is alive and kicking. I'm honoured that filmmakers continue
to choose us to screen their films," says Scott Hillier, President of
The European Independent Film Festival. "We have only one week before
the final deadline which means things are heating up for our selection
committee. I guarantee an official selection slate that exemplifies
the heart, soul and passion of independent filmmaking."

Since its inception four years ago, ÉCU has become the premier arena
in Europe for independent filmmakers to screen their films to large
international audiences, to network with producers, talent scouts,
agents and distributors as well as exchange ideas with other indie
filmmakers. The ÉCU festival is regularly referred to as Europe's
version of the Sundance Film Festival.

After the Paris festival screenings in March 2009, a selection of
ÉCU's award-winning films will be presented at our partner festivals
around the World. Additionally, we are in the planning stages of
organizing a whirlwind "US Tour" where a selection of ECU's
award-winning films will be screened in cities across America!

The deadline for submissions is January 15, 2009 . Independent
filmmakers are invited to submit their films at
www.ecufilmfestival.com.

Rhiannon Hobbins
Event Coordinator

The European Independent Film Festival (ÉCU)
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