Marking two decades as the UK’s leading short film and animation festival, Encounters 20th Short Film and Animation Festival will be returning to Bristol from 16th to 21st September 2014. The theme of this year’s Festival is 20/20 Looking Back to Look Forward.

Encounters will celebrate 20 years of short film with a programme of films, live performances, debates and visions in sound and image.

Bringing the city to the forefront of the international film circuit, the Watershed, Arnolfini and new venue Cube Microplex will play host to a total of 119 events throughout the six days.

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The festival will kick off its 20th celebrations with Desert Island Flicks with writer and critic Will Self on 16 September at the Arnolfini. Discussing a number of his favourite films, Self will delve deep into his archive and discuss why his chosen films warrant special attention.

This year’s Cinema – Live! will take place at the Arnolfini from 17 – 19 September, livening up festival nights with three evenings of Live Audio Visual Performance presenting forward thinking visions in sound and image.

“Encounters began life 20 years ago as a one off event, and has since grown into a significant international platform for developing and celebrating creativity, innovation and talent in film,” said Encounters Festival’s festival director, Debbi Lander.

Over 200 competition films will be shown at the Watershed from 17 – 21 September. Presenting some of the best new short and animated films from the UK, Europe and around the world, the competition programmes include the ever popular Music Video and Late Lounge screenings along with the new Comedy category.

Photo courtesy: Encounters Festival