The European Independent Film Festival
OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS
Whether imagined or real, stories are created every day, and the world is always in need of a good story. Character-driven, plot-driven, or just plain driven, ÉCU – The European Independent Film Festival continually searches for the most talented storytellers and cinematic visionaries that make their stories a reality.
Through this dedicated quest and passion for independent cinema, ÉCU prides itself on being one of Europe’s essential events for independent films. This stems from the festival’s unyielding belief in its filmmakers and their artistic efforts.
ÉCU 2014 will take place in Paris, France from April 4th to 6th 2014.
Many of the films chosen for ÉCU 2014’s “Official Selection” will participate in the ÉCU-ON-THE ROAD tour. This year-round tour takes its films to special screening sessions around the globe for the world to experience.
The competition focuses on original and independent works that demonstrate quality, creativity andinnovation across sixteen categories.
European Submissions:
– Dramatic Feature
– Dramatic Short
– Documentary
– Animation
– Experimental
– Music Video
– European Youth Film
– Comedy
Non-European Submissions:
– Dramatic Feature
– Dramatic Short
– Documentary
Worldwide (European and Non-European) Submissions:
– Student Film
– Feature Script Competition
– Short Script Competition
– Arab Special Section
– ÉCU Firsts
Early Bird Deadline: November 17th, 2013
Regular Deadline: December 15th, 2013
Late Deadline: January 5th, 2014
Withoutabox Extended Deadline: January 12th, 2014
ÉCU 2014 will also host its 8th annual “Much More Than A Script Competition!”
The script competition gives writers the opportunity to shine and be acknowledged for being a central part of the collaborative filmmaking process. The competition focuses on independent screenplays that are not aimed at the mainstream or Hollywood film markets and demonstrate quality, creativity and innovation.
Deadline: March 10th, 2014
Independent filmmakers and scriptwriters may submit their films and/or scripts at www.ecufilmfestival.com.
For information regarding the festival’s rules and regulation for submitting films and screenplays, please visit: Rules-and-Regulations.
Stay connected with ÉCU 2014:
Zebra Access and Deaffest would like to say a huge Thank You! to everyone who bought tickets this year. Every penny will be reinvested back into the festival. Deaffest is now run as a charity and your wonderful support will enable it to continue year after year. Thanks to you we can now announce the date of Deaffest 2014, so get your diaries out:
16, 17, 18 May 2014!
DEAFFEST 2013
PRESS RELEASE
Friday 17th May 2013
Deaffest made a triumphant return to the 2013 calendar to celebrate its 8th Festival at Light House, Wolverhampton. Packed with exciting new initiatives, this year’s Deaffest presented its first Young Actors and Scriptwriters Day, aimed at inspiring young deaf people aged between 13 – 18 years old in the creative performance arts. This included a drama workshop led by the talented and well-known Deafinitely Theatre company director Paula Garfield. A second workshop was led by Kalen Feeney who joined us all the way from the USA. Kalen is renowned for her role as scriptwriter and has produced scripts for the infamous CSI programmes. Deaffest was privileged to have Kalen passing on her expertise as well as being a positive Deaf role model for the young, buzzing scriptwriter wannabes! As part of this educational day, Young Deaffest Ambassador Alex Nowak also led a Q & A session on his video diary “The Life of a Deaf Actor” which further inspired all the young people present. A total of 30 plus students from all over the UK attended. This turned out to be a stimulating and valuable experience for everyone involved.
An air of anticipation greeted guests as they arrived for the evening events which commenced with the celebration of Zebra Uno’s 10th Anniversary, one of Deaffest’s largest sponsors, taking place in the Light House courtyard. There was a black and white theme to resemble the company colours and an addition of silver to mark the 10th anniversary. The atmosphere was vibrant with twinkling fairy lights, bunting and a group of waiters/waitresses in matching attire handing out canapés and drinks to all guests.
Clive Mason hosted the event and presented the two well-known Deaf directors of Zebra Uno, Nikki Stratton and Marilyn Willrich with their anniversary cake decorated with sparkling candle fountains. Entertainment by Magician Mark Barber kept guests amused and everyone enjoyed catching up with old friends and new on the bustling courtyard.
In the cinema, both directors delivered an inspirational presentation, which was followed by a show reel of successful films and projects that the company has been involved in over the last 10 years. Zebra was also presented with an award designed by talented local University of Wolverhampton student Joe Weaver, in recognition of their 10 year anniversary.
The official launch of Deaffest 2013 followed, getting off to an emotional start with the screening of the exclusive Richard Griffiths film interview which captured many people’s hearts as he sadly passed away in April this year. Richard Griffiths was Deaffest’s first patron. It was enlightening to see Richard sign throughout his interview. He used some old signs adopted from his parents and portrayed a great deal of old fashioned fingerspelling. The interview was filmed and presented by Zebra Uno.
Following this came the moment everyone had been waiting for – the screen launch of the winning Ben Steiner film bursary award film ‘Retreat’. It featured very high quality filming and actors; it also had a great twist. The audience was spellbound as the final scene came into play, and huge applause greeted Ted Evans the winner and talented director of the Ben Steiner Bursary film, as he mounted the stage to give a speech.
In addition to this, a behind the scenes film of ‘Retreat’ was shown: ‘the Making of Ben Steiner Bursary Film 2013’. This was an educational film showing how the movie was made and the difficulties Ted was faced with. Ted Evans gave a warm and proud presentation of his film and the film indeed reflected his skills, ability and creativity as a professional director.
Deaffest welcomed back two talented members of the Deaf dance group Def Motion, Billy Reid and Christopher Fonseca who performed individually and wowed the audience with their expressional and creative dance.
At the end of the screenings Clive Mason notified every one of the forthcoming events throughout the Deaffest weekend. The eager crowd then gathered on the courtyard again and continued to party until the early hours.
Deaffest 