The Academy—under the name of European Cinema Society—was officially founded by its first President, the Swedish director Ingmar Bergman, as well as 40 filmmakers from all over Europe.
Organisasi tersebut—dengan nama European Cinema Society—resmi didirikan oleh Presiden pertamanya, sutradara Swedia Ingmar Bergman, beserta 40 pembuat film dari seluruh belahan Eropa.