Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival (18 - 23 September 2012) is the umbrella title for two of the UK's leading film festivals Brief Encounters and Animated Encounters, with a host of cross-over attractions, at venues in and around the Harbourside area of Bristol, UK. 

The longest-running festival in the partnership began life in 1995 as Brief Encounters - originally envisioned as a ‘one-off' event, to mark the centenary of cinema. It proved so popular that it is now an annual attraction - expanding year on year and acknowledged internationally as one of the world's most respected celebrations of short film.

In 2001, the short film festival was joined by Animated Encounters - celebrating and showcasing the productions, talent, creativity, technology and skills that make animation such a popular and successful film form worldwide. It too, has enjoyed a rapid rise to global prominence, as is demonstrated by its status as the UK's representative for the prestigious European Cartoon D'Or.

Highlights from recent editions of the festival included interviews with directors such as Andrea Arnold (Fish Tank), Bruce Robinson (The Rum Diary), Carol Morley (Dreams of a Life), and John K (The Ren and Stimpy Show).

This year the festival moves into it's new dates between 18 - 23 September 2012.

Submissions are open between 1 March - 6 June 2012.

The films selected for competition will be divided into the three festival strands; Animated Encounters (animation), Brief Encounters (live action) and DepicT!, the competition for 90 second short films (submit directly to depict.org for free entry only to this competition).

Under 21s can also submit shorts under 5mins into Electric December (deadline 28 September) part of Fresh Flix, Encounters’ young people’s showcase. FFI: http://www.electricdecember.org/

Enter your film online via www.reelport.com.

Encounters accept short films from all over the world completed from 1 Jan 2011, under 30 minutes in length from every genre: animation, live action drama, documentary, experimental and music video, and does NOT have a premiere policy. 

Encounters Festivals Ltd is a limited company and registered charity, managed by a board of trustees.

For more information visit www.encounters-festival.org.uk