Encounters Film Festival

SUBMISSIONS DEADLINES:

27th March 2023 – Regular Deadline
15th May 2023 – Late Deadline
29th May 2023 – Final Deadline
12th June 2023 – UK Student Final Deadline

All submissions are final and there are no refunds. Films need to be submitted through FilmFreeway to be considered for inclusion. Please ensure you only submit your film once – there are no refunds for duplicate submissions. Encounters does not offer reduced entry fees to International student filmmakers.

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 2022 will be eligible for the 2023 festival. The maximum eligible duration is 40 minutes (including credits). Encounters does not require any premiere status, including online.

Films previously submitted for competition to past editions of the festival are not eligible for re-submission unless withdrawn prior to the programme announcement or at the festival’s discretion.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.

By submitting the film the applicant confirms that they possess all rights necessary for the screening of the submitted film at this film festival. All festival entries may be stored in the festival archive and used for research and educational purposes. Encounters will never use a film without permission.

All programming selections are at the discretion of the festival curatorial team and their decision is final. Unfortunately, Encounters can’t offer personalised feedback upon rejection.

UK STUDENT ENTRIES

Entries created within UK educational institutions are eligible for the UK Student Award. You may be asked to provide evidence that you were a student in UK education at the time of making the film. Submissions made through the UK Student category are automatically enrolled in the National Competition. Films from UK student filmmakers can still be submitted to the International Competition but a reduced entry fee is only available for submissions made through the UK Student category. Please make sure you select the correct category – Encounters does NOT have a refund policy.