Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival, Bristol

This September Encounters returns to Bristol to showcase the very best of short film and animation from across the globe. Running 17-22 September, the event captures a snapshot of the most interesting emerging talent on the big screen. Including fiction, documentary, experimental works and music video, the featured films represent creativity across all genres.

Celebrating its 19th year, Encounters is known as a location where upcoming film and animation talent can meet industry experts and audiences. Attracting over 11,000 attendees annually, the festival programme includes 200 short films and animations in two main strands: Brief Encounters (live action) and Animated Encounters (animation). The event also offers several awards to outstanding filmmakers and offers contenders the chance to be in the running for nomination for the world’s top short film and animation accolades: the Oscars®, BAFTAs, European Film Awards and Cartoon d’Or.

Aside from the competition element of Encounters, there are also a variety of thematic programmes, guest appearances and retrospectives, besides activities for all ages including live music and performance, interactive workshops, pop-up cinemas and outdoor events. One of the major streams of the event is that of Switzerland. Presented in collaboration with Swiss Films and Winterthur Short Film Festival, the festival shines the spotlight on the upcoming talent from the country. Showcasing the best of recent Swiss short film and animation, the series examines the unexpected, unknown and possibly darker aspects of the nation’s culture. In order to give audiences a international experience, the ever-popular pop-up screening room on Park Street will also be transformed into a free-entry “Cine-Chalet”, following on from last year’s weird and wonderful Finnish Cine-Sauna experience.

Another highlight for 2013 is a retrospective of the work of Bristol-based animator Richard Williams, marking both his 80th birthday and the 25th anniversary of 1980’s cult favourite Who Framed Roger Rabbit, on which he worked as director of animation. In partnership with Edinburgh International Film Festival, many of Williams’ short films, commercials and features will be screened. In order to celebrate Williams’ achievements there will be a number of one-off events, such as a screening of the remastered Who Framed Roger Rabbit by Robert Zemeckis and an on-stage interview with Williams as a gala event, Desert Island Flicks.

With new venues, activities for everyone and a showcase of the very best in international short film and animation, Encounters offers audiences an experience of film from every angle.

Encounters Short Film Festival, 17-22 September, in various venues across the city of Bristol.

Credits
1. Film courtesy of Encounters.