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Encounters Film Festival @encounters.film · 20/08/2026

Our 2026 competition selection is here. 142 films. 39 countries. 71 premieres. The 31st edition of Encounters Film Festival brings together the very best in contemporary short film from fresh voices and celebrated filmmakers around the world. 23-27 September 2026. Passes on sale now. Link in bio.

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Encounters Film Festival @encounters.film · 17/07/2026

Kangding Ray takes the techno score of Sirât and rebuilds it live. Unseen visuals from the shoot by Óliver Laxe. Soundsystem culture, spiritual longing, bass. Bristol knows. Tickets available to Festival and Industry Passholders, or at the link in our bio. linktr.ee/encounterssff

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Encounters Film Festival @encounters.film · 05/12/2025

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 @sansebastianfestival.com. We're honoured to be the UK's nominating festival for the EFA European Short Film - Prix @vimeo.com

europeanfilmawards.eu

Curated Collections

Delve into the European Film Academy & Vimeo ‘Staff Picks,’ a curated collection of outstanding short films.

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Reposted by Encounters Film Festival

Film Hub South West @filmhubsw.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

And that's how you kick off your 30th anniversary! cc @encounters.film www.encounters.film

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Encounters Film Festival @encounters.film · 25/08/2025

Yes - we have a few more announcements in the coming days.

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Encounters Film Festival @encounters.film · 25/08/2025

🎟 Head to encounters.film/programme-an... to explore the competition film guide and grab a pass!

encounters.film

International Competition Programme 2025 — Encounters

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Encounters Film Festival @encounters.film · 25/08/2025

🔥 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.

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Encounters Film Festival @encounters.film · 25/08/2025

💥UK premieres include stunning new works from Charlie Kaufman (How To Shoot A Ghost), Mark Jenkin (I Saw The Face Of God In The Jet Wash), Ida Melum (Ovary-Acting), Georges Schwizgebel (From One Painting… to Another) and Simon Ellis (Notes from Planet Three).

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Encounters Film Festival @encounters.film · 25/08/2025

🌎This year's programme features an impressive 44 premieres, including 33 UK premieres, with world and international premieres from as far afield as China, Kazakhstan, Poland, Norway and the USA.

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Encounters Film Festival @encounters.film · 25/08/2025

✨ The Encounters Film Festival 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. www.encounters.film/programme-an...

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Encounters Film Festival @encounters.film · 14/08/2025

We'll be making a series of announcements over the next few weeks.

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Encounters Film Festival @encounters.film · 14/08/2025

✨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. So get your skates on 🛼! Head to encounters.film/volunteer-2025 to find out more & apply! 📸 PortlandProductions LTD

A picture of three smiling volunteers wearing Encounters t-shirts, with rows of cinema seats behind them

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Encounters Film Festival @encounters.film · 17/02/2025

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: encounters.film/2025-selectors ⁣

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Encounters Film Festival @encounters.film · 01/01/2025

This is an open call for collaborators, partners and sponsors. Bristol is the ideal home for an internationally significant festival that discovers and champions the emerging storytellers of tomorrow across all forms of visual media. If you share that vision then let’s build it together. 🚀

Encounters has always been a place to discover and celebrate diverse new voices and innovative storytelling, foster empathy and connect through global stories.

This September, we celebrate the festival’s 30th edition with a new team, fresh perspectives, and an opportunity for new partners to be part of this exciting, forward-thinking programme for audiences in Bristol, the UK, and beyond.

While focused on making this year’s festival extraordinary, we also look to the future.

Bristol, with its radical spirit of creativity and inclusivity, is the ideal home for an internationally significant festival that discovers and champions the emerging storytellers of tomorrow across all forms of visual media.

Recent years have brought funding challenges and we need partners and sponsors who share our vision.

If you’re inspired to help make this vision a reality then let’s build it together. Contact us now at hello@encounters.film

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Encounters Film Festival @encounters.film · 11/12/2024

We are thrilled to announce that Encounters Film Festival 2025, Bristol's internationally renowned celebration of short films, animation, and emerging filmmaking talent, will return from 24-28th Sept 2025, celebrating a landmark 30th edition. Save the dates! We can't wait to see you.

Animated text in red, black and white that reads, "Encounters is coming! Save the dates! Sept 24-28 2025".

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Encounters Film Festival @encounters.film · 07/12/2024

Thank you for all the support through the years! News from us coming very soon.

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