The “ÉCU Alumni: Where Are They Now?” series is continuing without slowing down! As you are already familiar, after its foundation, ÉCU- The European Independent Film Festival- has been aspiring to proclaim the spirit of independent filmmaking all around the world. You may wonder, “How a European festival could be capable of spreading this synergy in all parts of the world?” The answer is that ÉCU has also been organizing and supporting festivals within itself for independent filmmakers from Asia and the Americas. In addition to this, ÉCU has launched a new special festival in order to raise recognition and awareness of Africa’s independent filmmakers and cinema in general, which is named “All African Independent Film Festival”.

The ÉCU’s dedication to giving countenance to independent filmmakers had placed the festival as a premiere area for these directors to showcase their films for twenty years. Throughout the history of the festival, numerous independent filmmakers have participated and aimed to sustain the spirit of indie cinema! As a festival, we are also enthusiastic about consolidating this spirit. For this objective, we have prepared the ÉCU’s Alumni Series to stay in touch with all the filmmakers who were a part of our festival and those who are continuing to be!

In this publication of the Alumni Series, we have a chance to have an interview with Jane Gull for her film “Twitcher” and Gianfranco Boattini for his film “Closed Box.” During the interview, we wished to ask them about their production, their activity within the year that the production is being selected for the festival and those who are continuing to be!

The first interview was with Jane Gull:

For the celebration of ÉCU’s 25th Anniversary, Jane Gull shared valuable insights about her filmmaking journey! In the first place, she started with a passion for telling a story, she was a true cinematic art enthusiast and a dedicated filmmaker in general. She has been involved with both fine arts and cinematography and has weaved through different facets of the film industry before finally committing to direct. As for Jane her work is motivated by the search to understand the depth of the human experience through the medium of film and making others feel what she wants them to feel. For her as an artist, she wants to tell stories that bring change, make people think and will get them fired up to do something.

We were also curious about her film, which is named Twitcher. During the interview, Jane also shared some details about her film. According to her, Twitcher is a haunting exploration of a solitary birdwatcher whose obsession with his natural surroundings leads him on a path of self-discovery and unexpected revelations. The film is visually arresting, using the landscape and nature as central elements to convey the protagonist’s internal struggle. Through minimal dialogue and stunning cinematography, Jane masterfully captures the tension between humanity and the natural world. The film’s beauty lies in its subtlety, allowing viewers to interpret the layered narrative in personal ways.

Afterward, we wished to discuss her experience during the year that her film was featured in our festival. Jane expressed her excitement and gratitude for having Twitcher featured at the ÉCU Film Festival. “ÉCU is such an important festival for independent filmmakers, and it was an honor to have my work shown here,” she said. The festival provided an opportunity for her to connect with other artists, receive feedback, and share her vision with a diverse audience. “The experience was truly rewarding,” Jane added, reflecting on the positive reception her film received. “It’s always a privilege to see how people from different cultures and backgrounds engage with your work.”

Jane also gave valuable and wise words to any individual who wanted to make a career in filmmaking. The piece of advice she gave was an important reminder, she said ‘stay true to your voice’. Moviemaking is about bringing the kind of stories that are important to you, the kind of stories you think need to be told. She also focused on the issue of strength ; According to her, it is perfectly natural and even desirable to fail. It means that we should not be afraid to take risks and make mistakes; That is where you learn, that is how you evolve as an artist.” Jane also pointed out that talented people who wish to make movies should not only follow their role models but also stay open to learning from other people along the way.

Currently, Jane is developing a new project that shifts her focus from the external world of nature to the more intimate dynamics of familial relationships. Though still in the early stages, this film will explore themes of love, loss, and reconciliation, blending Jane’s signature visual storytelling with a deeper focus on character and emotion. She describes it as a departure from Twitcher yet maintains that it will retain the same thoughtfulness and visual intensity.

During this new project, Jane shared the impact of a recent personal loss: the death of a close mentor who was instrumental in her creative development. This figure, who passed away unexpectedly, had a profound influence on her work- Twitcher-, encouraging her to embrace her artistic instincts and push boundaries. “His support meant everything to me,” Jane reflected. “He was more than a mentor—he was a guiding light in my creative journey.” His passing has inspired her to pursue her current project with even greater passion, as she seeks to honor his memory through her art.

Jane’s film Twitcher continues to generate buzz within the independent film circuit, and with her new project on the horizon, she remains a filmmaker to watch. As she forges ahead, her dedication to her craft and the memory of her mentor are sure to inspire her future work, creating films that leave a lasting impact on audiences worldwide.

In the second interview, we were privileged to speak with Gianfranco Boattini:

Gianfranco Boattini also shared his enthusiasm about our festival and provided precious insights about his career. To begin with, Gianfranco is not your typical filmmaker. Starting as an architect, he gradually found his way into acting and then into the world of cinema as a director. “I’m an architect by profession,” he began, “but I worked in acting and scenography for years. My experience ranges from collaborating with renowned professionals like Dante Ferretti and Tim Burton, to eventually returning to my roots near Bologna, Italy, where I transitioned into directing theatre and, later, short films.”

He got involved in filmmaking by a natural progression as he felt that this medium was a perfect way to convey a message. Looking back at his past experiences in architecture and acting, Gianfranco said,” I comprehended that film direction was the best way I could speak what I wanted to say.” That is why they all claim that film is one of the means for me to speak. It’s a complicated task, though, but it is worth it.

When asked about the moment he decided to pursue filmmaking, Gianfranco shared an anecdote from his early years: It wasn’t a constant truth I had remembered all my life. Thus, I got interested in theatre, then it transferred me to film. One day I came to see that being a director of films offered me a special kind of acting partnership, and that ability was something I cherished. It was the time I got convinced that filmmaking was the right direction for me to take.

Franco has been involved in many genres, but the main aim has always been to tell a compelling story from a personal perspective. Closed the Box which he made as his earlier creation in collaboration with his friend Riccardo was showcased in our film festival. Closed the Box is a narrative film based on a real-life event in which a man has voluntarily locked himself into the box – an action caused by his grief and loneliness. Gianfranco said that they decided to produce this movie as it delves into the experiences of loneliness, isolation, and the torments of the mind.In the film, the character does not appear to be suffering from any particular issues,” Gianfranco said, “but when the man decides to lock himself in a box, he is feeling something even more profound – loneliness.” What is important, the movie measures not only beliving physical prison but it also shows metaphorical barriers people create around them.

Reflecting on his experience with the ÉCU where Close the Box was showcased, Franco spoke fondly of the event. “It was our first time presenting outside of Italy, and the reception

was incredible. We had expected it to be a small, quiet festival, but it turned out to be much bigger than we imagined. The audience was enthusiastic, and they appreciated the film on a level we hadn’t anticipated. It was a humbling and rewarding experience.”

In the context of analysis of Gianfranco work, it could be seen that individual experiences greatly influence the type of the projects and works of art created. His connection to architecture together with his acting and directing interest puts him in a special position within the filmmaking business. Despite the twists and turns observed in the course of his work, Gianfranco is still passionate in his work. ‘I like acting and writing,’ he said but ‘directing is where I want to be,’ ahead. “If I am able to keep directing films full-time, then that is the perfect situation.”

To sum up, ÉCU- The European Independent Film Festival- has been continuing to be a cornerstone for independent cinema since its foundation in 2006! Through the years, the festival has gone further from Europe and has expanded its field to Asia, the Americas, and Africa to be the truthful voice of independent cinema!

Dear readers, in this edition of the “ÉCU Alumni: Where Are They Now?” series, We would like to share our pleasure to have an interview with Jane Gull and Gianfranco Boattini. Both of them shared precious insights about their journey in independent filmmaking.

To learn more about our “ÉCU Alumni: Where Are They Now?” series, check our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ecufilmfestival/featured