02/09/2013 - Leading UK short film festival displays an impressive array of treasures for both audiences and industry

This 2013 edition of Encounters (which encompasses Animated Encounters), held between September 17 – 22 in Bristol, UK, will see a host of short films old and new alongside industry guests and special events.

The competition – encompassing Live Action and Animation – includes a host of films to look out for including Xavier Legrand’s multiple Clermont-Ferrand winner Avant Que de Tout Perdre and new films from lauded British talents such as Daniel Mulloy, Simon Ellis, John Smith and animator Chris Sheperd. There’ll also be a chance to see numerous Swiss short films as the festival focuses on its short output, while Estonian festival Animated Dream will showcase a number of Estonian shorts.

The festival will open with a restored screening of classic film Who Framed Roger Rabbit as it welcomes triple Oscar winner Richard Williams to talk about his work on the film and numerous others. There’ll also be a chance to see new features from talented filmmakers who began their work in the short film world. These include drama For Those In Peril – Paul Wright’s film that screened in Cannes’ Critics Week – and Kelly + Victor, Kieran Evans’ steamy and transgressive film about an intense affair.

The industry programme includes the launch of NET.WORK, the BFI’s new initiative which will connect the UK's film agencies for the first time and offer hands-on and holistic development opportunities for promising UK film talent and a European Co-Production Workshop with Will Massa from the British Council, Laurent Crouzeix from Euro Connection and Wim Vanacker from European Short Pitch.

For full information on the festival click here.