Encounters Film Festival 2025
Festival Description: Encounters Film Festival stages one of the world’s leading international competitions for the short film, animation, and immersive moving image work. The international competition is an official gateway to the world’s most prestigious awards; the Academy Awards®, BAFTAs, and the European Film Awards. Its mission is to provide an international platform for new and emerging talent in filmmaking. For over a quarter of a century, Encounters Film Festival has welcomed guests from all around the world, connecting filmmakers with the wider industry, our wonderful audiences, and, of course, each other.
2024 Festival Coverage
The 2024 festival edition has been canceled due to insufficient funding. Festival info
2025 Call for Entries
The festival is open to short films of all production techniques, including animation, documentary, experimental or artists' films and hybrid work from low to high budgets. Films completed after 1st January 2023 will be eligible for the 2025 festival. The maximum eligible duration is 40 minutes (including credits). Encounters does not require any premiere status, including online.
Terms and conditions
- The festival is open to short films of all production techniques, including animation, documentary, experimental or artists' films, and hybrid work from low to high budgets.
- Films previously submitted for competition to past editions of the festival are not eligible for re-submission unless withdrawn prior to the programme announcement or at the festival’s discretion. Films that have appeared in guest programmes at previous editions are still eligible to submit, providing they meet all other eligibility criteria.
\\\ INTERNATIONAL GRAND PRIX ////
- Brief Encounters Grand Prix for Live Action Fiction Short Film
- Animated Encounters Grand Prix for Animated Short Film
- Documentary Encounters Grand Prix for Documentary Short Film
The Grand Prix winners are considered to be the best in their category by our international juries.
\\\ NATIONAL PRIZES ///
Best of British Awards in the categories of:
- Live Action Fiction Short Film
- Animated Short Film
- Documentary Short Film
Important information
- Regular deadline: 24 March, Late deadline: 12 May, Final deadline: 29 May 2025
- Rules and Submission via Filmfreeway
Archive
2020 Festival Coverage
The festival has selected over 250 titles, from a huge 3000+ submissions, to be part of this year’s digital festival.
2019 Festival Coverage
2018 Festival News (25-30/9/18)
Event Dates
- From 24/09/2025 to 28/09/2025
