ECU Film Festival annonces official 2012 selection

(PRESS RELEASE) ÉCU - The European Independent Film Festival has announced its Official Selection for the seventh edition of the festival.

ÉCU 2012 will showcase 100 films from 33 countries ranging from feature films, short films, documentaries, animation and student films to experimental works. The Official Selection - demonstrating quality, innovation and independence in both form and content - represents the very best independent filmmaking talent from around the world. Several films will be making their World Premieres at the festival and more than a dozen others will be making their European Premieres. Filmmakers will be competing in 14 categories for 24 awards, including the prestigious title of Europe's Best Independent Film 2012.

Some highlights from ÉCU 2012's official selection are:

"The Game" (Dir. Marcin Janiec), a Polish animation about a thrilling chess match between life and death. "The Boy Mir - Ten Years in Afganistan" (Dir. Phil Grabsky), a documentary from the UK which tracks cheeky, enthusiastic Mir from an 8-year-old boy to an 18-year-old man in war ravaged Afghanistan. Danish student film "Withering Love" (Dir. Samanou Sahlstrøm) is a tragic love story between Maria (César-award winner and internationally acclaimed Emmanuelle Béart) and Vincent (Denis Lavant). Also in competition is the visually stunning Greek film "Little King" (dir. Socrates Alafouzos), which tells a story of childhood abuse and its long-term damage and pain. Finally, one of the most intriguing films of the festival is the Australian documentary "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" (Dir. David Schmidt), which spotlights tension between 'the system' and asylum seekers longing to start a new life.

"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 founder.

"In its 7th year, ÉCU continues its tradition of being a true filmmakers' festival, in which directors can continue developing their unique creative voice and style in a creative and welcoming environment."

In addition to the film screenings, festival attendees will have the opportunity to participate in an exciting array of workshops - such as scriptwriting, editing, acting and directing - led by industry professionals, as well as attend the Meet-the-Directors discussions, in which audience members pose questions directly to the filmmakers after their film screenings. There is also a full programme of live music hosted by ÉCU partner, Access Film-Music, as well as a variety of other festival-related parties and events.

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 seven years ago, ÉCU has proved to be a discovery point for many of Europe's talented independent filmmakers. As a result of ÉCU's commitment to the discovery, promotion and projection of independent films, and it is often referred to as the European version of the Sundance Film Festival.

ÉCU - The European Independent Film Festival 2012 will take place on the 30th and 31st of March and 1st of April in Paris at Cinema 7 Parnassiens located in the Montparnasse and the Cinema Action Christine located in the Saint Germain-des-Prés. For more information and a full list of the 2012 Official Selection, go to www.ecufilmfestival.com