Encounters is delighted to announce that visionary filmmakers CHARLIE KAUFMAN and MICHEL GONDRY will be reunited on stage on Wednesday 24th September followed by a special screening of the iconic, Academy Award winning ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND.
Charlie and Michel will then stay on at the five day festival to introduce the UK premieres of their latest works – Kaufman and Eva HD’s How To Shoot A Ghost, starring Jessie Buckley and Josef Akiki, showing as part of Encounters’ international short film competition and Gondry’s witty, family-friendly feature-length animation Maya Give Me A Title, winner of a Silver Bear at this year’s Berlin film festival.
For our 30th edition, we couldn't think of a more perfect way to launch than by reuniting these two visionaries who embody the experimental spirit that Encounters has championed since 1995. These masters of mind-bending creativity have spent the last three decades redefining what's possible in film, and their reunion on our stage perfectly honours our shared history in bold, original cinema.
But we're not just looking back. The UK premieres of their thrilling new works prove that true innovators never stop pushing boundaries and we are delighted to be presenting them (alongside 44 other premieres) in our jam-packed September 24 to 28 programme.
Encounters 2025 takes place from Wednesday 24 September to Sunday 28 September at venues including Bristol Beacon, Watershed and Arnolfini.
More than 100 shorts from over 50 countries have won through to the festival’s globally renowned competitions, with new works by Simon Ellis, Mark Jenkin and Ida Melum among them, and the acting talent on view including screen appearances by Benedict Cumberbatch, Emma D’Arcy, Marianne Faithfull, Claire Foy, Domhnall Gleeson and Juliet Stevenson.
Festival Pass and Industry Pass holders, along with Bristol Beacon members, will have exclusive access to ticket pre-sale from 10am on Thursday 4th September. General release tickets will be available from 10am on Friday 5th September via the Bristol Beacon website.
Passholders have access to the entire festival programme featuring over 100 films from over 50 countries competing for our prestigious international Grand Prix, discovering emerging talent and showcasing celebrated auteurs.
Programme highlights include Charlie Kaufman and Michel Gondry's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind reunion plus 44 premieres, masterclasses, animation workshops, social and networking events, and weekend family fun.
