Encounters 2015 Highlights&Programme

The Encounters Festival team have recently issued their press release! This is what awaits us in September:

Encounters launches series of new public events for audiences in 2015
Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival returns to Bristol from 15th to 20th September. This year audiences can expect five days of the best short films from 35 countries alongside a series of special big screen events, a comprehensive industry programme and FREE public screenings for all the family.

As Europe’s leading short film festival, this year the Encounters Festival International Competition screenings present 219 short and animated films chosen from over 2200 film submissions. The 21 competition programmes each feature between 5 and 15 short films, from genres including live action, animation, music video, experimental, documentary and comedy.
 
Contenders are in the running for nomination for the top short film and animation accolades: the Academy Awards, BAFTAs and European Film Awards and Cartoon D’or, to which Encounters is a leading UK gateway.

How Film Can’t Live without the Music by Huey Morgan: Tuesday 15th September 2015, 20:30
Examining how music has always been integral to motion pictures. Join revered musician and DJ Huey Morgan in this exclusive event as he explores a selection of films, using music as a focus and examining how some films just would not be complete without it.

Cartoon d’Or: Wednesday 16th September, 2015 at 11:00
An hour of animation not to be missed, the award for the best European animated short film, Cartoon d’Or rewards the best of the best. This programme will feature the winners from this year’s competition in September, chosen by a jury of international experts. Launched in 1991, the first Cartoon d’Or went to British director Nick Park, still unknown at the time, for his film “Creature Comforts”. Pop by and catch some shorts from the future stars of animation and some established greats.

Terry Jones presents Boom Bust Boom: Wednesday 16th September 2015 at 19:00
In association with Bristol Festival of Ideas, Encounters will see Monty Python’s Terry Jones present his new documentary, a mix of live action, animation, puppetry and song, walking us through the history of economic crashes.

Crashes have been happening throughout history for centuries, from Tulip Mania in 1637 to the Wall Street crash of 1929. The 2008 economic crash shocked the world, but how did experts not see it coming? Are we able to recognise a bubble when we are in one? Will the cycle of boom and bust devastate us again in years to come? It argues that in order to change the economic system, we must start with education. Followed by a discussion with Terry Jones.

Short Matters: Wednesday 16th, Thursday 17th & Friday 18th September 2015 from 19:00, FREE
These FREE drop-in screenings will be shown on three consecutive evenings at Watershed during Encounters this year, featuring the nominees from 15 film festivals the short film category of the European Film Awards. Screened in three short film programmes on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at Encounters this is your chance to watch all of the 2014 nominees for free.

... Why the Short Face?: Wednesday 16th September 2015 at 19:45 & Friday 18th September 2015 at 20:00
Presented here for the audience’s delight is a fantastic mix of films, each with a funny take on life. There’s a strong dose of dark humour thrown in for good measure. The first of two programmes is guaranteed to bring a smile, and a cringe, to your face. The second offers up a plate of humour and comedy, from a cartoon dog desperate for walkies to a dinner party that goes disastrously wrong.

New Love Programme
Encounters this year will feature two loved-up film offerings. These shorts have stories about relationships and the making and breaking of them, showcasing the bravery and skill to produce a piece on delicate and often painful subject matters. In the first of two collections of shorts, Pro-creations on Wednesday 16th September is a collection of raunchy films that will discover there are many euphemisms for sex and love. Meanwhile Pillow Talk on Thursday 17th September at 8pm will show films which excel with either gentle humour or artistic sensitivity.
Music Video: Thursday 17th September 2015 at 21:45

Back by popular demand...this collection of Music Videos offers audiences dazzling visual art, wild stories and animated adventures in sound, music and image, showcasing the best and most innovative examples in this groundbreaking genre of the short form from new and emerging talent.

Petite Perpetual Cinema: Saturday 19th September 2015 from 10:00, FREE, drop in screening

This year the 2015 Encounters Perpetual Cinema is turned over to the family audience and offers free, drop in viewing of a selection of top short and animated films which have been screened in the competition during the festival week. Watch a few or watch them all, it’s up to you! Content is suitable for all ages.

More info at www.encounters-festival.org.uk
Twitter: @EncountersSFF / #Encounters21
Facebook: Encounters Short Film Festival