About us
The longest-running festival in the partnership began life in 1995 as Brief Encounters - originally envisioned as a ‘one-off' event, to mark the centenary of cinema. It proved so popular that it is now an annual attraction - expanding year on year and acknowledged internationally as one of the world's most respected celebrations of short film.
In 2001, the short film festival was joined by Animated Encounters - celebrating and showcasing the productions, talent, creativity, technology and skills that make animation such a popular and successful film form worldwide. It, too, has enjoyed a rapid rise to global prominence, as is demonstrated by its status as the UK's representative for the prestigious European Cartoon D'Or.
The two events united under the Encounters Short Film Festival banner for the first time in 2006, to record-breaking effect. The upward trend continues and last year saw an increase in film submissions, film screenings and delegates. 2007 hosted a very successful (ie totally sold out!) Animation Talent Symposium day produced by Shelley Page, Head of International Outreach at DreamWorks the purpose of which was to share views, experiences and best practice of academia with each other and with industry delegates. Special guests at the festival included Mark Kermode, Richard Eyre, Henry LaBounta, Peter Lord, Phill Jupitus and Frank Cottrell Boyce.
Other Encounters Events during the year
Wanting to gain a year-round presence in the city and to make more people aware of the organisation, Encounters moved out of doors in May 2007 and hosted a free open-air screening of the Jack Black movie, School of Rock sponsored by Smith & Williamson. The weather was against us - read 'howling gale and driving rain' - but this cinema-under-the-stars event held in the dockside area was a fun and exciting evening for film-lovers of all ages. We'd like to do more, funds permitting.
Phill Jupitus has also become a firm supporter of the festival and came down to Bristol to host Trumptonshire Tales with special guest Brian Cant who was the original voice of Trumpton in July 2007. After Bristol the show went up to Edinburgh and did a week long stint at the Pleasance as part of the fringe festival in August 2007. For 2008 Phill returned to showcase Small Films, the productions company of Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgate who created classic favourites The Clangers, Bagpus, Noggin the Nog and many more. You can see the recording of this event on our home page
