Encounters Bristol International Film Festival is the UK’s longest running competitive short film and animation festival. The festival presents one of the world’s best-known showcases and meeting points for emerging talent, and seeks to promote the importance of short film as a means to develop the next generation of filmmakers and animators.

Encounters is now the leading UK gateway to the world’s most prestigious short film and animation awards (Academy Awards®, BAFTAs, Cartoon D’Or, and the European Film Awards). It became a member of NISI MASA in 2011.