About us

Encounters is the umbrella title for two of the UK's leading film festivals, now combined, with a host of cross-over attractions, at venues in and around the Harbourside area of Bristol, UK.

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.

Encounters Festivals Ltd is a limited company and registered charity, managed by a board of trustees. 

Encounters Board of Directors

David Sproxton (Chair), Aardman Animations

Simon Cooper, CSR Consultancy

John Adams, Consultant

Paul Appleby, Digital Media Consultant

Peter Carlton, Warp Films

Steven Coombe, Smith and Williamson (advisor)

Claire Spencer-Cook, BBC Film Network, One Dot Zero

Abigail Davies, University of the West of England, Freelance Producer

Maggie Ellis, Film London

Eileen Elsey, Freelance Script Writer

Gina Fucci, Films At 59 (advisor) 

Sarah-Jane Meredith, South West Screen (advisor)

Simon Perry, Irish Film Board