Written by Chiara De Liberti
ÉCU works hard to keep independent cinema alive !
February already? Time really does fly, especially when you work as hard as our team. Find out what we’ve been up to in this February newsletter!
During this cold and short month, our team’s energies are focused both on the management and artistic organization of the long-awaited ÉCU Film Festival which will be held in April 2026 and on the diffusion and promotion of films from the previous festival.
It’s never tiring for us to discuss good cinema, and our podcast is proof of that. Indeed, last Friday, the 30th of January, we hosted another episode of our ÉCU Friday Live, meticulously orchestrated by our festival director Scott Hillier and the journalist department, dedicated to the directors’ creative process, specifically in terms of lighting and framing. We had the pleasure to invite the director Sok Pilot and the director of photography Seaklin Or for a conversation on their short movie Curse or wish, winner of the previous AAIFF Asia 2025, but not only, also the female director Sanaa Al Alaoui and the DoP Oskar jan Król joined us on the topic of lighting techniques in their short movie Aïsha, still a winner of the last edition of AAIFF Africa 2025. You can listen to it here, do not miss out on these pure cinematic gems !
Our sponsorship department is truly determined in the search for promising collaborations, and just like investigators, they are getting in touch with various educational institutions whose values and spirits resonate with those of ÉCU. Hoping that our mantra: to make the world a slightly better place one independent film at a time, will be recognized, appreciated and disseminated!
February may seem like a static month, no parties to organize and the excitement of festival days is still a bit far away… for the event management team this month is a job of research, emails, calls and on-site visits. Our hard workers never give up on preparing an ÉCU-On-The-Road and continue their hunt for Asian cultural institutions available for the promotion and screening of AAIFF Asia 2025 winners. Without losing sight of the hundreds of submissions for the later ÉCU film festival, the events department is finding judges from across the globe (our acclaimed ÉCU alumni) to send the various proposed films to, so as to expand our community and welcome several valuable opinions.
Our graphic design team, who you know have been working on the new design for the ÉCU poster, has actually landed the plane. Indeed, the picture is clearer than ever. While we can’t tell you what it looks like just yet, we can tell you that it incorporates very neatly the identity of ÉCU. The team, as true perfectionists, is still meddling around with the details but… sorry spoiler not allowed! You will have to see it for yourself when it’s out !
HR has great news! The office this month opens its doors to new talented and creative interns. We have Alessandra Prina from Italy joining the graphic design department, ready to help the team in the creation of new ÉCU merchandising; Zuzanna Nieradko from Poland in the video producing, open to show her editing skills; and lastly Jorge Perdomo from Spain, also in the video producing, a full team that reserves surprises !
Speaking of video producing, their collaboration with the social media department is increasingly fruitful, from finding new trends, videos and posts to publish to producing engaging videos that capture views and promote the festival. Still work in progress for the editing of alumni interviews to not miss out ! Therefore, other than our blog, you can keep up with us throughout all types of platforms: make sure to check out our Instagram, Spotify, X, TikTok, Facebook and Youtube pages, carefully curated by our team.
Last but not least, the journalism department greeted the great writer, advisor and friend Jènna Kharroubi who in one last big sprint organized last Friday’s podcast with grit. If you missed it, go and catch up on her article “Colour Palettes in independent cinema” on our blog here! . But worry not, we are not short of resources, our fresh journalist Chiara De Liberti worked this week on a new article in line with the new trend “back to 2016” and its correlation to independent cinema, which you can read here if you don’t want to miss a stimulating interview with one of our 2016 alumni.
Book Film Club:
It’s time for our favorite moment: to put our Letterboxd accounts down and bring out our favorites of the month to share – especially, forever Indie.
Sentimental value (2025) by Joachim Trier
Multiple Oscar nominations for the Norwegian movie of the most introspective Nordic director. A family drama and relational dynamics of strong emotional involvement all happening in a breathing house that has seen multiple generations. Sisters Nora and Agnes reunite with their estranged father, Gustav, a once-renowned director who offers Nora a role in what he hopes will be his comeback film. The two siblings must now navigate a complicated relationship with Gustav while dealing with an American actress dropped right into the middle of their complex family dynamics.
A reflection on two different points of view of living and making cinema, hiding through or recognizing oneself in it.
[O] (2017) by Mario Radev and Chiara Sgatti
[O] is an animation film that imitates nature in its manner of operation, depicting life cycles in a world entirely based on sound frequency and vibration. An animation with delicate pastel colors reminiscent of the works produced by the ghibli studio. A sensory experience that tries to tell the story of the most common human process: life and death. You should go make a cup of tea, sit on the couch and watch it on the euroifc website here!
WICCA: Jezebel (2025) by Alan Godina
Let’s completely change the genre and offer you a horror/fantasy not really about witches but more about female rage. Winner of Best Independent Drama Short Film from the AAIFF Americas’ 2025, it tells the shocking story of a young girl who challenges the Witch of the Forest to solve the murder of her best friend. A 15 minute film which blends frightening magical rituals, blood, combat, power in a fiery ending that leads us to doubt whether we too would make a sacrifice to discover the truth.
What about you cinephiles ? Any good recommendations for us?
Tell us in the comments below and stay updated to not miss anything !
ÉCU 2026 Partners:
Zs2 Media Group is a Paris-based film & TV production company that meets your video-related needs.
Le concept O’CD repose sur des valeurs de partage, d’humilité et d’ouverture : tous les styles de musique, de films et de jeux vidéo sont présents chez O’CD, sans distinction, pour plaire autant aux experts qu’aux néophytes. Chacun est libre d’avoir son goût propre voire d’en changer si cela lui chante.
I am a filmmaker and film directing coach from Vancouver, Canada. I have worked in the Film and Television Industry for over 45 years – as a Film Director, Television Producer, First Assistant Director and TV Series Creative Consultant.
The mission of Access Film Music is to connect Music–makers with Film–makers.
Au cœur du XVe arrondissement, accessible 7/7 jours et 24/24H, Tigre Productions met à votre disposition un important parc de matériel de tournage et de post-production.
Legend Cinema is the no. 1 and the first International Standard Cinema in Cambodia, created and operated by Khmer since 2011. Our rapid growth and expansion from 1 to 13 cinema locations in the past 12 years across the country, has shown our strength in delivery and influence in the film and entertainment industry.
Agence française pour la promotion de l’enseignement supérieur, l’accueil et la mobilité internationale
A companion for the curious, the chaotic, the human photographer, the Lomo MC-A is a reminder that everybody is equal before the lens – and behind it.
Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts Cambodia
Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts is a government ministry that supports the arts and culture in Cambodia. The ministry oversees 25 provincial Department of Culture and Fine Arts.
Offering a prime city center location, the Park Inn by Radisson Kigali is the premier hotel choice in Rwanda’s capital city.
LaCinetek is a VOD (video on demand) website dedicated to the greatest films of the 20th century.
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Tap into decades of award-winning global agency and brand experience. Combined with agile, forward-thinking, startup sensibilities. Delivering insightful world-class work at every level to activate your audiences.
Rwanda Media Project is a training program for Rwandan filmmakers and media enthusiasts.
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