Encounters Film Festival

Encounters Film Festival's 31st edition features 142 films in competition from 39 countries, alongside a rich programme of special screenings, discovering emerging talent and showcasing celebrated auteurs. 

 

Highlights include: Sirat Live, a one-off audiovisual event with composer Kangding Ray performing his acclaimed score live to unseen visuals from Oliver Laxe's Sirat, plus Laxe in conversation ahead of a special screening of the film; the English premiere of Paul Wright's Mission starring George MacKay and Rosy McEwen; Warp Vision presented by Deeper Into Movies on Bristol's Megascreen, plus  71 premieres, masterclasses, animation workshops, and weekend family fun.

 

The festival brings together visionary filmmakers and passionate audiences in the welcoming spirit that defines Encounters. The competition programme showcases exceptional works across live action, animation, documentary and experimental categories, with premieres from internationally acclaimed directors alongside breakthrough voices set to define cinema's future.

 

Beyond screenings, the festival's inspiring industry and events programme celebrates the best of the South West, animation craft from Aardman and beyond, and the future of filmmaking, from vertical dramas (mobile filmmaking) to the creator pipeline. A festival-wide thread of music and film builds through the week to the closing night party at Wake the Tiger with special musical guests, while the screenPLAY family strand puts children in the jury seat and hands them real film to cut, project and play with.

 

As a BAFTA, BIFA and European Film Awards qualifying festival, Encounters continues its mission of championing bold, boundary-pushing cinema while maintaining Bristol's radical spirit of accessibility. Whether you're a seasoned industry professional or film-curious newcomer, Encounters is where the story begins.