Our story

Encounters is a globally renowned short film festival that takes place each September on the beautiful harbourside in Bristol, a UNESCO City of Film. Encounters is a qualifying festival for BAFTA, BIFA and the European Film Awards.

Bristol’s spirit of radical independence is the foundation for an accessible and welcoming festival. Forget exclusive parties and formal black-tie events, at Encounters everyone comes together for one shared passion: film.

Founded in 1995 to mark the centenary of cinema, the festival has grown to showcase thousands of bold, boundary-pushing works and supported emerging talent. Alumni include visionary filmmakers Denis Villeneuve, Lynne Ramsay, Rungano Nyoni, Julia Ducournau, Charlotte Wells, Ruben Östlund, Joachim Trier, Molly Manning-Walker, Radu Jude and many more.

The festival’s programme features inspirational insights from industry leaders, with past headline guests including Hayao Miyazaki, Ray Harryhausen, Andrea Arnold, and Matt Groening.

Encounters isn’t just a festival, it’s the creative spark where chance meetings and snatched conversations have ignited countless projects. When filmmakers and film-lovers from Bristol and beyond come together, who will you encounter and what opportunities will follow?

Encounters is where the story begins.

Encounters is a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity (no. 1058603).