Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival
The UK's most important dedicated short film and animation festival, held annually in September in Bristol, with Academy Award-qualifying and BAFTA-qualifying competitive programming across live action, animation, and documentary shorts.
Overview
Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival is the UK's most important dedicated short film and animation festival. Founded in 1995 and held annually in September in Bristol, the festival is both Academy Award-qualifying and BAFTA-qualifying, making it one of the most strategically important short film destinations in the English-speaking world.
Bristol's unique identity -- home to Aardman Animations (creators of Wallace and Gromit and Chicken Run), a thriving independent film and media production sector, and a strong arts culture -- gives Encounters a natural connection with both animation and live action short filmmaking.
The festival's dual Academy Award and BAFTA qualifying status makes it uniquely valuable for short filmmakers targeting both American and British awards recognition.
Key Sections
- International Short Film Competition -- Academy Award and BAFTA-qualifying live action shorts
- International Animation Competition -- Academy Award and BAFTA-qualifying animated shorts
- UK Short Film Competition -- British short films
- Documentary Shorts -- nonfiction short films
- Student Film Competition -- short films by UK film students
What Filmmakers Should Know
Encounters accepts open submissions. The dual Academy Award and BAFTA qualifying status is the most distinctive and strategically important feature of the festival. For short filmmakers targeting both US and UK awards recognition, Encounters is one of the most efficient single submissions available.
Bristol's animation heritage creates particular receptiveness to innovative animation work.
Major Awards
- Best Live Action Short -- Academy Award and BAFTA-qualifying
- Best Animated Short -- Academy Award and BAFTA-qualifying
- Best UK Short Film
- Best Student Film
- Audience Award
Festival History
Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival was founded in 1995 in Bristol and has grown into the UK's most strategically important short film platform.
See Also
For short film strategy, see Film Festival Strategy. For animation, see Visual Effects and Animation.
