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Competition Films

Festival programme

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Competition Films

Festival programme

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Competition Films

ONE OF A KIND

Unique, charismatic, deliciously strange and compelling individuals are the pulsating heart of this collection of character-driven stories.

Back to Live Action

Dustin // Directed by Naïla Guiguet

Know the Grass // Directed by Sophie Littman

Four Cups of Coffee or Three // Directed by Sebastian Lach

Spotted Yellow // Directed by Baran Samad

My Way

AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT

The recipients of the 2025 Encounters awards are: The Last People by Nicolás Pindeus (Brief Encounters Grand Prix), Two Black Boys In Paradise by Baz Sells (Animated Encounters Grand Prix), Bill Morrison’s Incident (Documentary Encounters Grand Prix), There Will Come Soft Rains by Elham Ehsas (Best of British Live Action), Dédé (Ancestor) by Yasmine Djedje-Fisher-Azoume (Best of British Animation), Lea Favre’s Hunting (Audience Award), Notes From Planet Three by Simon Ellis (Children’s Jury winner) and Full of Sh*t by Clarissa Kumala (DepicT).

As Encounters 30th edition comes to a close, the festival is proud to have welcomed 2000 guests, 650 industry delegates, across 80+ screenings and events, featuring 200 films and a stellar lineup of talent, including Charlie Kaufman and Michel Gondry.

Encounters is a globally renowned short film festival that takes place each September in Bristol, a UNESCO City of Film. Encounters is a qualifying festival for BAFTA, BIFA and the European Film Awards. It provides an international platform for celebrating talent and innovation in film, animation and TV.

BRIEF ENCOUNTERS GRAND PRIX AWARD

The Brief Encounters Grand Prix is the top international award for live-action short films at the Encounters Film Festival. The winning film receives a £2,000 cash prize.

Winner: The Last People, dir. Nicolás Pindeus | Austria

Brief Encounters jury statement: “A powerful, moving story which stays with you long after the credits roll. Full of cinematic value, with beautiful, assured direction and an incredible cast. A resonant, timely, mini-masterpiece.”

The Last People also receives our nomination for the European Film Awards, and becomes a candidate for the European Short Film Prix Vimeo.

Special Mention: We Had Fun, dir. Linda Lô | France

Brief Encounters jury statement: “Great performances, full of joy and heart, paying off with a tense, nuanced end. Beautifully directed. Real deal talent.”

ANIMATED ENCOUNTERS GRAND PRIX

The Animated Encounters Grand Prix is the top international award for animation short films at the Encounters Film Festival. The winning film receives a £2,000 cash prize.

Winner: Two Black Boys in Paradise, dir. Baz Sells | United Kingdom

Animated Encounters Grand Prix jury statement: “A bold and beautiful film that bravely dives into layered thematic waters while also managing the logistical challenge of stop-motion animating bonking on a boat. The peeping peacock was a favourite playful flourish in a work that’s both daring and tender.”

Special Mention: Hurikán dir. Jan Saska | Czech Republic, France, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Animated Encounters Grand Prix jury statement: “Hilariously delightful narrative and crisp design. Through a complete belief in its language of choice, the fully realised characters speak multitudes without uttering a single word. With that said, Na Zdravi!”

DOCUMENTARY ENCOUNTERS GRAND PRIX

The Documentary Encounters Grand Prix is the top international award for documentary short films at the Encounters Film Festival. It is open to all short documentary formats. The winning film receives a £2000 cash prize.

Winner: Incident, dir. Bill Morrison | USA

Documentary Encounters jury statement: “Urgent, unflinching and unforgettable.”

BEST OF BRITISH LIVE ACTION

The Best of British Live Action Award is the top national award for live action short films at the Encounters Film Festival. The winning filmmaker will receive a £500 cash prize.

Winner: There Will Come Soft Rains dir. Elham Ehsas | United Kingdom

Best of British Live Action jury statement: “Fresh and exciting to watch, leaving you with a belief in the power of storytelling. Stand out in a strong programme - idiosyncratic, inventive and totally charming!”

Special Mention: Alo dir. Xenia Glen | United Kingdom

Best of British Live Action jury’s statement: “Catapults you into a different perspective with clever form and storytelling. A brilliant short.”

BEST OF BRITISH ANIMATION

The Best of British Animation Award is the top national award for animated short films at the Encounters Film Festival. The winning filmmaker will receive a £500 cash prize.

Winner: Dédé (Ancestor) dir. Yasmine Djedje-Fisher-Azoume | United Kingdom

Jury statement: “This fresh exploration of the divine feminine within the artist’s Bété ancestry was an invigorating blend of analogue and digital techniques. The use of copper relief engravings – echoing the metalwork of the Ivory Coast – was particularly exciting to see, a rare technique executed beautifully.”

AUDIENCE AWARD

The Audience Award is the only award voted for by the Encounters Film Festival audience. This year, 3143 ballots were recorded. The winning filmmaker will receive a £500 cash prize.

Winner: Hunting dir. Lea Favre | Switzerland

CHILDREN’S JURY AWARD

The Children's Jury Award at Encounters is the only award at the festival voted for live, by the children in the audience. The winning filmmaker will receive a £500 cash prize.

Winner: Notes From Planet Three dir. Simon Ellis | United Kingdom

DEPICT AWARD

Depict is a super-short film competition running since 1998 as part of Encounters Film Festival. It challenges filmmakers to create 90-second films. The winning filmmaker will receive a £500 cash prize.

Winner: Full of Sh*t dir. Clarissa Kumala | United Kingdom

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