NEW PEOPLE, NEW DATES, NEW ENCOUNTERS
The beginning of the year signifies big changes for Encounters Festival, as they welcome the appointment of a new short film programmer and announce their new dates in September.
Last November saw Mark Cosgrove, Head of Programme at Watershed end his tenure as Short Film programmer for Brief Encounters. 2012 sees him move into a new position as Artistic Director of Encounters, providing an overall artistic vision of the festival.
Encounters is delighted to welcome Gaia Meucci to the festival team as the newly appointed Short Film Programmer for Brief Encounters. Gaia joins the festival after extensive experience working at organisations such as Edinburgh International Film Festival, Clermont Ferrand and, more recently, as assistant programmer on the London Calling retrospective at the Forum des images in Paris At the festival, Gaia’s key responsibilities will be to select the short film programme for Brief Encounters and work with the Artistic Director, Managing Director and Animation Programmer on the delivery of all aspects of the competitive programme.
Of the appointment Gaia Meucci said ‘being a volunteer in the pre-selection team of Encounters in 2008 was the very first step I took to become a short film curator. A few years down the line, I’m truly delighted to re-join this fantastic festival and contribute to shape its 2012 programme.’
The 2012 festival will take place in Bristol in the new dates of Tuesday 18 – Sunday 23 September. This decision has come in light of developmental changes within the festivals strategy, to align itself within the relevant calendar year for the Academy Awards® and European Film Awards for which it is an accredited festival, and to seek a less congested time within the short film and animation festival year.
Liz Harkman, Managing Director said “2012 is going to be a challenging and exciting year for Encounters. We have already begun preparing this year’s festival which occurs two months earlier and we are thrilled to be joined by Gaia, who will commence her new position as Short Film Programmer in the next few months. With the recent release of the Film Policy Review, the festival will seek to continue its campaign in championing new talent and developing new audiences, and we look forward to working with the BFI, Creative England and other organisations to make this happen.”
Filmmakers and animators from around the world are invited to submit to the Encounters 18th Short Film and Animation Festival competition between 1 March – 6 June 2012 for a chance to win a major prize or a prestigious award nomination including BAFTAs, Cartoon d’Or, European Film Awards & Oscars® for which Encounters is a qualifying festival.
DepicT! Watershed’s super-short filmmaking competition as part of Encounters International Film Festival will open its call for entries on Monday 30 January. Enter for free online at depict.org to be in with a chance of winning £1500, with priceless industry exposure at the Encounters Festival and beyond as well other exclusive prizes. The deadline for DepicT! submissions is Monday 9 July 2012.
EDITOR’S NOTES
Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival
Encounters Short Film and Animation is the umbrella festival for Animated Encounters and Brief Encounters which together presents one of the world’s best-known showcases and meeting points for new and established international short and animated film talent. The longest running competitive short film and animation festival in the UK, and one of Bristol’s leading cultural events, Encounters seeks to promote the importance of short film as a means to develop and progress the next generation of creative talent.
The 2012 festival will be held in Bristol, UK, between 18 to 23 September. Encounters is a qualifying UK festival for the BAFTAs, Cartoon d’Or, European Film Awards & Oscars®. The festival is funded by the British Film Institute, Bristol City Council and Creative England. Encounters Festivals Ltd operates as an independent company and is a registered charity. For more details log on to: www.encounters-festival.org.uk
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
For further information:
Margaret London +44 (0) 20 7033 6868
Paul Dunning, Publicity: paul@margaretlondon.com
Hilary Cornwell, Publicity: hilary@margaretlondon.com
Festival Office: +44 (0) 117 929 9188
Mireia O’Prey, Festival Coordinator: mireia.oprey@encounters-festival.org.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Encounters-Short-Film-Festival/16162795635
Twitter: twitter.com/encountersSFF
ENDS
