DepicT! challenges the international creative community to make distinctive, imaginative and engaging short films under 90 seconds long. Chosen from just under 600 entries from 49 different countries, the 20 films on this year's shortlist stood out for their originality, going into the running to win one of four great prizes as part of the Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival.

Following a fantastic buzz at the DepicT! Showcase hosted by Watershed Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove, distinguished guests gathered on the evening of Sat 20 Sept for the grand finale of the 20th anniversary edition of Encounters Short Film & Animation Festival to hear our expert judging panel's take on the shortlisted films.

The prestigious panel included some of the top names in film and television, including award-winning Cinematographer Robbie Ryan, Lara Akeju from Channel 4, Shooting People's Sarah Chorley, BAFTA winning filmmaker Yousif Al-Khalifa, Producer Chris Auty (National Film & Television School) as well as David Sproxton from Aardman Animations, who opened the Award Ceremony to a full house.

Dr David Cooke, Chair of the Royal Photographic Society Education Committee, one of the major sponsors behind the contest, presented the main DepicT! Award. British animator Ant Blades (who is behind the London based Birdbox Studio) picked up a cash prize of £1,500 and a lifetime membership to Shooting People for his rollicking animated short, Carpark. "With great comic timing, it packed a lot into 90 seconds," said the jury, who were unanimous in their choice.

Next up was the DepicT! Royal Photographic Society Cinematography Award, selected by members of the jury including cinematographer Robbie Ryan on behalf of the RPS, who had this to say about being involved in the jury for this Award: "It's great to see the art and craft of cinematography recognised in an emerging talent contest where the focus is often on directors. It's a good opportunity for me to get a sense of what new creatives are up to."

The winner of this award, Bristol based Adam DJ Laity, met with Robbie Ryan at the festival and picked up a £1000 cash prize for The Peace of Wild Things, summed up by the jury as"an emotionally charged meditation on man and nature with beautiful images."

We caught up with Adam - who is about to start a research PhD on the use of landscape in cinematography - at the Awards Ceremony:

"DepicT! is special - I've always felt that if I can't do it in 90 seconds, what makes me think I can do it 90 minutes! And I'm so pleased to have won The RPS Cinematography Award; it means a great deal and shows that the competition and the form is being held in high regard by such a prestigious organisation. It was also great to meet a master DP like Robbie Ryan - he was so generous with his time and advice."

Stas Santimov from Ukraine picked up the DepicT! Random Acts Award for his short, The Collector, considered by the jury "an original, evocative and intricate animation that invites you into a surreal world". Watch out for Stas' film on Channel Four's popular Random Acts slot. The jury also gave a special mention to British short Crow's Nest by Robert Milne, billed by the judges as "simple and as cruel as life can be."

Winning the DepicT! British Special Mention was Daniel Chisholm whose film Nati, is a short, honest portrayal of a 90 year old man in just 90 seconds. The jury described its maker as "an interesting voice that they'd like to hear more of." Daniel wins a great package of career development opportunities from BAFTA, the National Film and Television School and Shooting People. Follow his progress on depict.org.

Last but not least, the DepicT! Shooting People Audience Award also goes to Nati! We'd like to thank all 2,923 of you, the audience, for voting. Daniel Chisholm picks up a Lifetime membership to Shooting People.

Dan said:

"I'm very excited to have won at DepicT! - I had a great time at the Festival at this win will help me gain the momentum I need to take my career to the next level."

We're also very grateful to our sponsors and supporters who enable us to run the DepicT! competition, and to all 580 filmmakers, from Peru to India, who submitted their 90 second films without whom we wouldn't have a competition!

Watch Dan's winning film, Nati, here!

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