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Encounters attracts entries from a record 66 nations
Posted by: Admin | 13.07.07
When the Encounters festival of animation and short film returns to Bristol from 21-25 November it will be screening the pick from both a record number of entries and more countries than ever before.
An expanded prize pot, now worth over £20,000, is credited with adding to the international appeal of the Encounters awards programme, with the result that this year’s entries topped 1,750 and came from a record 66 countries including, for the first time, Belarus, Ecuador, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Uruguay, Western Sahara and Zambia.
Short-listing is still underway but Managing Director Sue Lion says: “With such a huge choice of films and countries in the initial pool, we can guarantee that the screenings at Encounters 2007 will be more varied, in theme, style and nationality, than at any other time in our 13 year history. We’ve always looked internationally for films to showcase but it’s definitely a two-way street now. Increasingly, film-makers and talent-spotters from all over the world, are looking at Encounters as the international showcase that counts.”
For extra international edge, Encounters 2007 will also include a ‘Spotlight on Singapore’ where guests will include the multiple award-winning director Royston Tan, who has been involved in numerous censorship clashes with the Singaporean government over how he depicts local life. Other elements include a film school, focused on producing, a celebrity interview, by Mark Kermode, hands-on workshops, debates and a broad range of invitation screenings and networking events.
Bristol Media members, Tijuana, have created the new Encounters website . Pay a visit to sign-up for e-bulletins, book a film school place or find programming updates and other news.
The Encounters Short Film Festival is organised by Encounters Festivals Ltd, with the help of funding from Bristol City Council, and South West Screen. Principal sponsors of Encounters 2007 are: Cartoon Network, EA Games, HP, MEDIA and Aardman Animations. Partners are: UK Film Council (via its National Lottery funding) BBC Three, BBC New Talent, and the BBC Film Network.
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