Encounters International Film Festival

About

Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival is one of the world's leading showcases and meeting points for emerging talent. This year sees the event taking place in a new slot from 18-23 September, based at the scenic Watershed and Arnolfini in Bristol's Harbourside. Two main competitive strands - Brief Encounters and Animated Encounters - will bring together 188 live action and animated short films from all over the globe. A total of 36 countries are represented, 22 being European. In addition to the festival's prestigious awards, contenders will also be in the running for nomination for the top short film and animation accolades to which Encounters is a leading UK gateway: the Academy Awards, BAFTAs and the Cartoon d'Or. Highlights of the full programme include: Harmony Korine's internet sensation 'Umshini Wam', an off the wall collaboration with South African rapper duo Die Antwoord; Aardman Animation's 'So you want to be a Pirate?', a comic game show pastiche featuring key characters from the recent feature film; a travelling cinema screen powered by a milk float and even a pop-up cine-sauna!