Europe’s premier event for independent cinema, ÉCU – The European Independent Film Festival – announces its 2019 award-winning films, including its highest honour, “Best European Independent Film 2019.”

After showcasing 79 films from 30 countries, ÉCU 2019 ended its indie-packed weekend with a dazzling final ceremony recognizing 26 award winners in 14 categories. Winners included: SYDNEY, directed by Paul Wyett (UK) for Best European Independent Dramatic Short; RWANDA, directed by Riccardo Salvetti (Italy) for Best European Independent Dramatic Feature; and EL HOR, directed by Dianne Lucille Campbell (UK) for Best Independent Experimental Film. Artjom Baranov took home Best Director for PIG HEART (Germany). Together with Arab Cinema Center, ÉCU is proud to award Ahmed Khedr Excellence in Arab Filmmaking to FACES IN THE SUN by Farah Shaer (Lebanon, USA). The award for Best European Independent Film 2019 went to PIGGY (Spain), directed by Carlota Martínez Pereda.

During the festival weekend, international audiences were exposed to film and their filmmakers from across a spectrum of experiences, cultures, and genres. The Director Q&A sessions provided a great informal setting for discussion between the audience and the directors on filmmaking, while after-parties throughout Paris extended these conversations into the music-fuelled early morning hours. ÉCU endeavours to provide a cultural platform not only for entertainment but also for active networking across the independent film world.

For the last 14 years, ÉCU has been helping to launch and expand the careers of many talented independent filmmakers. The Festival is extremely proud to assist these passionately driven artists who create incredible cinema without the benefits of large production budgets. ÉCU’s mission to discover and promote extraordinary independent films from around the world renders it a major European cultural event.

LISTED BELOW IS THE FULL LIST OF ÉCU 2019 WINNERS: