Trustees’ Statement :

26th April 2024

This is a statement from the Board of Trustees for Encounters Festivals Ltd to share some news with you about this year's festival..

The cultural industries are collectively operating in an increasingly challenging climate and Encounters is now facing a situation beyond our control. Since 2023, European funding has ceased due to Brexit. Bristol City Council has also recently reviewed its support to multiple arts and culture organisations in Bristol, and Encounters Film Festival is not currently receiving their funding. Encounters received a transitional award from the BFI to support the delivery of the 2023 festival, however we have not yet been able to evolve our audience strategy sufficiently to apply for funding for this year*. The funding landscape, combined with higher projected costs for running the festival in 2024, means there are inadequate funds available to run the festival this year or have enough time to meaningfully fundraise for its delivery.

So, it is with a heavy heart that we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2024 iteration of Encounters Film Festival which would have been the 30th edition of Encounters Film Festival.

We are deeply sorry for the disappointment and inconvenience this creates for everyone who is connected to and participating in the festival. We will be writing to and refunding everyone who has made submissions, please bear with us while we work to carry this out.

We are in the process of working with our Board and stakeholders to reflect on what happens next for Encounters. We appreciate your patience while we work on this, and we will let you know what decisions are made in due course.

We thank you for your support during this time.

Encounters Board of Trustees

*This statement has been amended by the Board of Trustees on 30th April to further clarify our funding status with the BFI