Happening in-person for the first time since 2019, Bristol’s largest international film festival returns this September (Tue 27 Sep – Sun 2 Oct) with a packed programme of short film, animation, virtual reality, talks, and networking opportunities.

BFI NETWORK South West’s pioneering career-development scheme Shorts2Features also launches at the festival with three events aimed at ambitious producers and directors. Shorts2Features is a scheme led by BFI NETWORK in partnership with Encounters Film Festival, Bristol UNESCO City of Film and NFTS Cymru Wales. Following an open call this summer, the scheme will see the cohort of producing and directing talent invited to attend Encounters Film Festival to begin expanding their knowledge and networks.

BFI NETWORK South West Industry Events at Encounters 

• Choosing Your Creative Path- Writer, Writer-director, or Director? Fri 30 Sept, 11 am

BFI NETWORK have invited writer-director Nosa Eke, director Em Smith and writer Lydia Rynne to explore the different possible pathways as a writer, director or writer-director.

Hosted by BFI NETWORK Talent Executive, Nicole Davis, the session will provide an insight into the panel’s journey to date and the key decision points that lead to them defining their role.

Find out more.

• Selling Ideas: How to Navigate UK & International Film Markets as a Producer. Sat 1 Oct, 10:30 am

BAFTA-winning producer Kate Byers from Early Day Films presents this masterclass on navigating the UK and international film markets with your debut feature project.

Referencing BAIT (Mark Jenkin, 2019) as a case study, Kate will talk through her team’s experience and crucial learnings along the way.

Find out more.

• How to Succeed: Setting up a Production Company for the Long Term. Sat 1 Oct, 12 noon

Screen Star of Tomorrow producer Chi Thai presents this masterclass on setting up your own independent production company, using Last Conker (her own production company) as a case study to talk through the dos and don’ts.

She’ll be joined by accountant Nigel Harris in this session that offers practical advice on how to keep your production company viable in the long term after making your first short.

Find out more. 

Purchase an in-person festival pass to attend industry events on the Encounters website.

BFI NETWORK South West Shorts at Encounters 

This year’s competition programme line-up features titles drawn from 41 countries around the world, delivering extraordinary and original storytelling across a multitude of genres.

Of the selection, four BFI NETWORK shorts from the region are being screened as part of the South West Showcases.

Get tickets for South West Showcase 1, South West Showcase 2, priced on a pay what you can scale from £3.

Seagull

Seagull is about a recovering drug addict who is about to have a very strange night.

Sweet Little Despair

Lynsey juggles her life looking after the elderly at a nursing home and her six-month-old baby. The relentlessness of her routine blurs the boundaries between work and personal life.

The Piss Witch

Fed up with the constant judgements of those around her, Clare finds power in rebellion.

Yummy Mummy

Blood, viscera, and torn flesh pierce the soft pink, sugary, talcum powder representation of pregnancy like a long-caged animal escaping from its bonds.

More from Encounters Film Festival

• View the full schedule here
• See Encounters Film Guide
• Explore more industry events
• Follow encounters on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook