Film / News
Encounters short film festival to return in 2025
Renowned for its knack of finding new talent, Bristol’s Encounters has been a key part of the local, national and international film festival calendar for 30 years. But the 2024 edition was abruptly cancelled due to Brexit’s impact on access to European funding. Funding from Bristol City Council and the BFI had also been lost, placing the future of the festival in doubt.
But now it’s been revealed that Encounters is to rise from the ashes under new management for its delayed 30th anniversary edition in September 2025. Dave Taylor-Matthews, a veteran producer of festivals and live cinema events in the UK and beyond, is behind the relaunch and has just issued a call for entries for the 2025 fest, which will run from September 24-28.
New Encounters Executive Director Dave Taylor-Matthews
“There is no way that Bristol – a UNESCO City of Film – nor the sector was prepared to let go of a festival which has a 30 year track record of showcasing brilliant short film, nurturing emerging film-makers and identifying talent and whose alumni include such stand-out figures as Andrea Arnold, Rungano Nyoni, Ruben Östlund, Martin McDonagh, Lynne Ramsay, and Denis Villeneuve,” says Dave. “We are determined to lead the fight against ‘enshittification’ and are powering ahead with a 2025 programme which will screen bold and inventive new works, feature headline events of wide appeal, provide a space where new creative projects and partnerships are born and where all film fans feel welcome. 30 years of Encounters deserves an epic celebration!”
“For thirty years, Encounters has played a pivotal role for Bristol; nurturing and springboarding film talent, leading industry conversations, and elevating our international profile,” adds Natalie Moore, manager of the Bristol UNESCO City of Film programme. “The festival’s return in 2025 is fantastic news for both filmmakers and audiences, and the 30th edition promises to be a celebration of everything Encounters does best – gathering film lovers, filmmakers and industry figureheads to enjoy the best shorts around and create film experiences to remember.”
Entries are being invited now via FilmFreeway for live action, animated, documentary or experimental films of under 40 minutes in length and (to make up for the 2024 festival’s cancellation), completed on or after 1 January 2023.
There will be cash prizes for the top performing films in competition for the international and national grand prix plus the chance to qualify for entry to the British Independent Film Awards or BAFTAs &/or get nominated for a European Film Award.
All images: Encounters Festival
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