Encounters Film Festival

Bristol's globally renowned short film & animation fest. BAFTA, BIFA & European Film Award qualifying.

Celebrating 30 years in 2025!

Where the story begins.

[Encounters Film Festival @EncountersSFF]

We're in great company this weekend! 🎬
Head over to the European Film Awards site to check out 8 curated shorts programmes including collections from Encounters and @sansebastianfes. We're honoured to be the UK's nominating festival for the EFA European Short Film - Prix @Vimeo

[Encounters Film Festival @EncountersSFF]

📢 A very special announcement 🎬

CHARLIE KAUFMAN & MICHEL GONDRY to reunite on stage for our 30th anniversary opening event! Plus a screening of ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND.

📅 Wed 24th Sept | 7pm
📍 Bristol Beacon
https://t.co/hhltpg2JZx

[Encounters Film Festival @EncountersSFF]

🎟 Head to https://t.co/tKFAyKwXcw to explore the competition film guide and grab a pass!

[Encounters Film Festival @EncountersSFF]

✨ The 2025 Official Selection is now LIVE!

An extraordinary collection of 105 exceptional films from fresh voices and celebrated auteurs from around the globe, this historic 30th edition showcases the very best in contemporary cinema.

https://t.co/tKFAyKwXcw

[Encounters Film Festival @EncountersSFF]

🔥 And as if that wasn’t enough we are also delighted to announce the 18 films that will compete in the 2025 DepicT! showcase - our special event dedicated to 90 second mini-masterpieces.

🎉 Celebrate short film and animation with us at the 30th edition of Encounters.

[Encounters Film Festival @EncountersSFF]

✨Applications are now open to join the team as a Volunteer at this year's festival (24-28 Sept)!✨

📅 Applications close Tues 19 Aug, 5pm.

Head to our website (https://t.co/hhltpg2JZx) to find out more & apply!

📸 PortlandProductions LTD

[Shooting People 🎥 @ShootingPeople]

Join us on 8 Apr for a night w/ award-winning comedy filmmakers @TIASALISBURY , Rhys Aaron Lewis & @polyrockfilms who know how to squeeze the most laughs out of the smallest budgets 🤪

Free tickets + bundle options to lock in our lowest membership rate: https://t.co/Gvb0Mi9rFz

[Encounters Film Festival @EncountersSFF]

Are you passionate about short films and interested in film curation? ⁣Apply now to join our selection panel and help shape the 2025 film festival.

Read more and apply here: https://t.co/h9uyZmtliU
⁣

[Encounters Film Festival @EncountersSFF]

This is an open call for collaborators, partners & sponsors.

Bristol is the ideal home for an internationally significant festival that discovers & champions emerging storytellers of tomorrow across all forms of visual media. If you share that vision let’s build it together. 🚀

[Depict @DepictShorts]

📣 Submit your shorts to the 30th edition of @EncountersSFF (24 - Sept 2025, Bristol, UK)

Shorts 90 secs & under can be submitted via @FilmFreeway for FREE to qualify for Depict awards!

Get involved: https://t.co/vMMxe2q2CS

[Screen International @Screendaily]

Breaking:

After fears about its future due to funding issues, Bristol's Encounters short film festival (@EncountersSFF) will return in 2025, with a new executive director.

Details and dates: https://t.co/GAYaUKed8E

[Encounters Film Festival @EncountersSFF]

Encounters returns for a landmark 30th edition in September 2025. Back with new energy, a refreshed mission and a renewed dedication to showcasing the films and filmmakers of tomorrow - from Bristol and beyond!

Now accepting film submissions! https://t.co/BaSOSjnlcW

[Tom Kimberley @Tom___Kimberley]

Thank you for the U.K. Award Special Mention for The Mobius Trip @EncountersSFF @vjsimone x

[Jack @jackdownsfilm]

WE WON!

Thank you so much for @EncountersSFF and @ActionXtremeUK for the opportunity and more than ever the talented crew that helped pull this crazy short off!

[Encounters Film Festival @EncountersSFF]

UK AWARD SPECIAL MENTION : The Möbius Trip, Directed by Simone Smith

[Encounters Film Festival @EncountersSFF]

And very special mentions go to....

🏆🧵

[Encounters Film Festival @EncountersSFF]

UK AWARD SPECIAL MENTION : The Archive: Queer Nigerians, Directed by Simisolaoluwa Akande