Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Bristol’s largest international film festival, coming September 24-29, reveals an extensive program of animation-related activities.
The UK’s Encounters Film Festival, based in Bristol, has announced that as part of its upcoming 25th anniversary edition, they’ve programmed an expanded lineup of animation-related activities across their six-day event, which runs September 24-29.
The region’s largest short film, animation and virtual reality festival, Encounters provides a unique platform for emerging and established filmmaking talent. Alongside its highly regarded BAFTA and Oscar-qualifying annual international film competition, Encounters offers year-round support, personalized training courses, and a variety of touring programs. This year’s schedule of screenings, special events, networking and more includes the following:
Wednesday September 25
- Nadasdy Films Masterclass - following their film screening earlier in the day, Swiss animation production company Nadasdy will deliver a masterclass in co-producing films between different countries. Focusing on the pros and cons of this, Nicolas Burlett will use the films screened in the previous event as case studies in this practice.
- Single-shot films presented by Directors UK & Arri - this session will include a screening of six single shot films, and a discussion with their directors on the challenges they faced creating short films in just one take.
- BFI South West Works in Progress - during this event attendees can find out more about some of the projects coming out of the South West who received BFI funding last year. Filmmakers will also be able to find out more about funding, and industry can hear from new talent and catch a first glimpse at some of the new films soon to arrive on the festival circuit.
- Doc Society - is a not-for-profit organization, committed to enabling great documentary films. They will be joining Encounters this year with a panel who will be discussing UK funding opportunities for UK documentaries.
- Animation Today - hosted by Alex Dudok de Wit this daily session will be an open forum for animators to discuss different topics in the sector.
Thursday September 26
- Locksmith Animation Masterclass - a presentation from Locksmith Animation, the UK’s only high-end CG feature animation studio dedicated to making films for a global family audience. During this masterclass audiences will hear from key talent working at this studio who will be discussing their careers and future plans.
- Gutsy Animation Masterclass - the animation studio behind the recent MoominValley series will be joining Encounters Festival this year.
- New Creatives: Talent Development - find out more about the exciting talent development scheme delivered by South West based organization, Calling the Shots. See some examples of the work created by this year’s cohort and find out how to apply for the scheme, training opportunities and commissions that are currently available.
- Young Audiences - a joint venture from the BFI and BBC to create new broadcast content for young audiences, speakers will be discussing opportunities for applications to the fund.
Friday September 27
- The Happiness Machine - an innovative, Pan European project that connects women animators and composers in the crafting of new work. Twenty artists, including Rebecca Bloecher, Eni Brandner, Vessela Dantcheva and Elizabeth Hobbs, were asked to consider our current consider our current economic system in light of the Economy for the Common Good social movement. Here are the resulting ten animations that explore themes of consumption, greed, solidarity, equality, responsibility, and revolt. They consider how the machine we operate within can be destroyed and rebuilt. Ranging from the abstract and experimental, to fairy tales, documentary approaches, and the satirizing of society, this collection brings together an incredible variety of voices and techniques.
The evening program includes treats for fans of Sci-Fi, Horror and Comedy while the notorious Late Lounge returns to shock and delight. The Awards Party will take place this year at Colston Hall where audiences and filmmakers alike will find out who the juries have selected to win the top prizes, and which films will go on to compete for the Oscars, BAFTAs and European Film Awards. With a live performance of DJ Yoda’s ‘Tarantino AV Spectacular,’ don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes!
To celebrate the 25th edition, Encounters Film Festival are throwing it back to their roots with a 90s-inspired program strand, including a thrilling outdoor screening of David Lynch’s Fire Walk with Me at Boiling Wells woodland amphitheater where the owls are not what they seem, presented by Compass Presents.
Check out the complete festival program for more details.
Source: Encounters Festival
