The festival
The festival – Europe by Europe
A unique festival dedicated to European auteur cinema
Europe by Europe is a festival of auteur and art films from Greater Europe, which takes place every spring in Paris and the Île-de-France region. Founded in 2006 by filmmaker Irena Bilić, it offers a rich and sophisticated panorama of European cinema, with a particular focus on new films, young talent, and lesser-known cinematographies.
For two weeks, around 100 films – fiction, documentaries, short films, animated and experimental films – are screened in partner arthouse cinemas, foreign cultural centers, institutes, and other emblematic locations in the capital.
A bridge between the continent's cinemas
The festival aims to:
- Promoting the diversity of European cultures through cinema
- Building bridges between European filmmakers, producers and distributors
- Supporting auteur films from countries with low production capacity
- Stimulate professional exchanges and transnational cultural dialogue
- Promoting European cinema in Paris, the international capital of the 7th art
Each edition brings together film professionals, students, partner institutions, universities and a loyal and curious public, in a spirit of encounter and sharing.
A rich and committed program
The program is organized around several complementary sections, reflecting the diversity of contemporary and heritage European cinema:
- Official competitions
- Young jury and partner awards
- Thematic sections : THEMA, Wildlife, Experimental Salon
- Retrospectives and tributes : filmmakers, national or regional cinematographies
- Connections : collaborations with other European festivals and networks
- Meetings and events : masterclasses, exhibitions, signings, debates, etc.
All films are screened in their original version, with French and English subtitles, to reach an international audience.
The different prices
- Best Feature Film :
- The Prix SAUVAGE ;
- The Prix LUNA, awarded by the Jury of young cinema professionals;
- Best Feature Documentary :
- The Prix PRESENT ;
- The Prix E-MOTION, awarded by the young people of the European Movement of Paris;
- Best Short Film :
- The Prix CORTO ;
- The Prix LUPETO, awarded by the Student Jury of the European Film Academies and Schools.

Europe in all its diversity
The festival covers the territory of Greater Europe (47 member countries of the Council of Europe) and highlights :
- Masterpieces of the great masters
- The works of promising young filmmakers
- Films that are unknown or invisible elsewhere
- Creations committed to contemporary themes : environment, society, memory, gender, history, migrations, etc.
Each edition highlights at least 25 European countries, with particular attention paid to non-national works (around 90%).
An accessible, ethical and responsible festival
Europe by Europe is much more than a cultural event, it is a civic, inclusive and sustainable project, committed to :
- Image education (school screenings, workshops, Culture Pass, etc.)
- Inclusion (accessibility for people with reduced mobility, audio description, SME subtitling, etc.)
- Diversity and parity (balance of juries, overseas representation, etc.)
- The ecological transition (Green Charter, responsible management, short supply chains, etc.)
A rapidly expanding European network
The festival collaborates with :
- National film libraries,
- European cultural institutes,
- Universities and film schools,
- Partner festivals in France and internationally.
These partnerships strengthen the circulation of works, the visibility of European authors and the training of a young audience curious about auteur cinema.
An independent and passionate organization
Europe by Europe is organized by the Evropa Film Akt association, governed by the 1901 law. The association was founded by Irena Bilić, artistic director of the festival, and has been chaired since 2024 by Ghislaine Masset.
Evropa Film Akt also works in film production, translation and subtitling, as well as artistic consultancy for the distribution of European cinema.

An unmissable event for lovers of the 7th art
The Europe by Europe festival is now recognized as one of the leading European festivals in Paris dedicated to auteur cinema. It has established itself as a cultural, artistic, and professional hub, serving European cinema in all its diversity, inventiveness, and commitment.