Summary of 30th Encounters Film Festival Animation Winners
– The 30th edition of Bristol’s Encounters Film Festival recently concluded
– The festival took place across the city’s Watershed, Beacon, and Arnolfini
– The festival drew in an astounding 2000 guests and 650 industry delegates
– There were more than 80 screenings and events
– The festival featured 200 films and had an impressive lineup
Animated Award Winners
Highlights
– Winners of the 2025 awards were announced post-festival
– The announcement was made on Skwigly Animation Magazine
Hot Take
Animation enthusiasts, prepare to burst into a choral rendition of ‘Hallelujah’ because Bristol’s Encounters Film Festival has finally closed its glorious gates, but not before leaving us with a bevvy of brilliant animations! The festival, which had more layers than a complex 3D model, catered to an impressive 2,000 guests and 650 industry delegates, making it the animation world’s hottest mixer. The one that required no social skills, just the shared love for all things animation. Newbies, veterans, fans, and that one guy who only came because he heard ‘free popcorn’, all convened to savor 200 breathtaking films from equally breathtaking line-ups. The winners? Well, they were announced with the inflection of a dramatic movie voiceover, in Post-festival in Skwigly Animation Magazine. Here’s hoping this celebration of creativity helps the industry move forward like a quirky 3D character walk cycle!
Unveiling the triumphant films from the 30th anniversary of Bristol’s Encounters Film Festival, celebrated across notable venues of Watershed, Beacon and Arnolfini in the city. Over 2000 visitors, 650 industry representatives, and approximately 200 films graced this edition, with the presence of renowned film personalities like Charlie Kaufman and Michel Gondry.
INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION AWARD
The principal award at the Encounters Film Festival for best international short animation, the International Animation Award, graces the reigning film with a £2,000 cash reward.
Victorious: Two Black Boys in Paradise, dir. Baz Sells | United Kingdom
The verdict from the International Animation Award jurors:
An audacious and visually stunning film that seamlessly melds complex themes while excelling in the technical challenge of portraying stop-motion action on a boat. The peeking peacock was a beloved whimsical touch in a film that balances audacity with sensitivity.
Runner up: Hurikán dir. Jan Saska | Czech Republic, France, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina
The verdict from the International Animation Award jurors:
A riotously enjoyable narrative combined with sharp design. The profoundly constructed characters express so much without a single spoken line, thanks to a strong belief in its chosen visual language. Cheers to that, Na Zdravi!
BRITAIN’S BEST ANIMATION
The top honour for British animated short films at the Encounters Film Festival, Britain’s Best Animation Award goes to the most deserving film, rewarding the filmmaker with a £500 cash prize.
Vanquisher: Dédé (Ancestor) dir. Yasmine Djedje-Fisher-Azoume | United Kingdom
Judgement from the jury:
An invigorating journey exploring the divine feminine through the artist’s Bété heritage, seamlessly merging traditional and modern techniques. The excellence in the unique use of copper relief engravings, a nod to the metalwork tradition of the Ivory Coast, was particularly enticing.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
The People’s Choice Award is the honour that comes straight from the audience’s heart. This year, a whopping 3143 votes were counted with the winning film garnering a £500 cash prize.
Crowned By Audience: Hunting dir. Lea Favre | Switzerland
DEPICT PRIZE
Depict is a micro-film contest run by the Encounters Film Festival since 1998. This unique competition challenges filmmakers to create films under just 90-seconds. The victorious filmmaker earns a £500 cash prize.
Champion: Full of Sh*t dir. Clarissa Kumala | United Kingdom
The laureates in live-action for the 2025 Encounters awards include: The Last People by Nicolás Pindeus (Brief Encounters Grand Prix), Bill Morrison’s Incident (Documentary Encounters Grand Prix), There Will Come Soft Rains by Elham Ehsas (Best of British Live Action) and Notes From Planet Three by Simon Ellis (Children’s Jury winner).
The Encounters Film Festival, held annually in September in Bristol – a UNESCO City of Film, is a renowned global platform for celebrating talent and innovation in the spheres of film, animation, and TV. The festival is a qualifying platform for awards like BAFTA, BIFA, and the European Film Awards.
Original article: https://www.skwigly.co.uk/encounters-2025-awards/