Encounters are excited to announce that submissions for our 2023 festival are now open! We have made some updates to our awards and prizes, which will be new fixtures to the festival moving forward. The new structure for awards and prizes is as follows :
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
Films in the competition are presented in thematic programmes including live action, animation, documentary, experimental/artists’ moving image works and judged by an international jury of industry professionals. The films compete for the following awards:
The winning Brief Encounters and Animated Encounters films are both eligible for Academy Awards nominations and each receives a £2000 cash prize.
The films in the International Competition are also eligible for the International Audience Award.
NATIONAL COMPETITION
The National Competition showcases work from UK-based filmmakers including live-action, animation, documentary, and experimental/artists’ moving image works. Films in the competition are judged by a national jury of industry professionals and compete for the UK Award, which carries a cash prize of £1000. Entries submitted here may also be screened in the International Competition.
The films in the National Competition are also eligible for the UK Audience Award.
Films made by UK Student filmmakers are eligible for the UK Student Award, which carries a cash prize of £500.
SOUTH WEST COMPETITION
The South West Showcase is Encounters' newly revamped competition to nurture and celebrate local talents. Live action, animation, documentary, and experimental/artists' moving image works from South West-based filmmakers are eligible to participate. Films in the competition are judged by a jury of industry professionals and compete for the South West Award, which carries a cash prize of £500.
In addition to the South West Competition, the short films submitted can also qualify for the National or International Competition.
The films in the South West Competition are also eligible for the UK Audience Award.
Full rules and terms can be read on the Encounters Film Festival Filmfreeway page. If you have any questions regarding submissions, please get in touch with us at submissions@encounters.film
