The Fresh Flix films were announced along with the full Encounters line-up at the launch event at Dolby Theatre, Soho London on Tuesday.  Across the Brief Encounters (live action) and Animated Encounters sections of the festival 225 works were selected from a record 2,372 entries (a 25% increase on 2011’s total) from 40 countries.  In addition to the festival’s prestigious awards with individual cash prizes of up to £2,000, contenders will 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 European Film Awards.

This year Fresh Flix – Watershed and Encounters strand for teens – has been produced by the Future Producers. The team watched over three hours worth of short films, and after much debate, devised an hour long programme designed to engage and intrigue young people aged 15 – 19.  The choosen titles are The Beast (UK / dir Corinna Faith), Damn Girl (Danish / dir. Kira Richards Hans), Arcade (UK / dir. Nida Manzoor), Eating Lunch (Sweden / dir. Sanna Lenken) and Crocodiles without Saddles (Germany / dir. Britta Wandaogo). There will be a school screening plus directors Q&A on Wednesday 18th September 2013 at 09.30  and a public screening with workshops and masterclasses on Saturday 21st September 2013 from 10.00.