Screen International:
The Big Noise in Short Films.
Rebecca Mark-Lawson, Lifesize Pictures:
The festival consistently backs voices coming from the new talent schemes across the UK and it also provides a major international platform for short filmmakers.
Derry O'Brien, Network Ireland Television:
I had a really productive visit and thought that the facilities for distributors were first class. I am currently chasing up several of the excellent titles which I saw in the Library, for possible acquisition. It was a pleasure to attend Encounters once again.
Claire Rayers, Buyer, Canal+ France:
A lot of research goes into programming, and Encounters is the only place where I can see very good films from Britain and around the world.
Jeremy Howe, Executive Producer, BBC Drama:
The BBC is involved in Brief Encounters, and has stepped up its involvement over the past two years, because it is quite obviously the best showcase for short films and emerging film making talent in the UK. Last year, the BBC forged a number of very valuable relationships with new talent by meeting directors whose work was showcased at the festival and is in the process of offering work to those film makers. Long may it continue and thrive. Bristol and the South West should be proud of it.
Damien O'Donnell, Director, East Is East, Inside I’m Dancing:
Like most feature film Directors, I started by making short films. Through the support of short film festivals like Brief Encounters, my work got the kind of exposure and attention that generated an interest in me as a film director. I was offered the film East is East when the producer saw my short film at a film festival. Since then I have continued to make short films and to attend and participate in short film festivals. I find the quality of creativity and work screened at such festivals, to be over and above what you would find at a feature film level. Festivals such as Brief Encounters play an invaluable role in showcasing emerging talent and I believe are a valuable and necessary resource in the British Film Industry.
Ollie Madden, Miramax:
Short films are an invaluable stepping stone for filmmakers to move into features as well as a legitimate art form in themselves. Festivals like Brief Encounters allow the best shorts each year to get the exposure they deserve.
Dan MacRae, Deputy Head of Development, UK Film Council:
Short films are vital to the future of the British Film industry in that they are crucial signifiers both of the general health of the film culture of the country and of the individual talents of their creative teams. For financiers, a short film is one of the key mechanisms to judge whether or not a director is equipped to make that important first feature film and to ascertain their skills with actors, technicians and the basic tools of storytelling. These days the term ‘film’ incorporates a host of media, digital and analogue, and it's still one of the more expensive means of expression. A short film is therefore a cost effective way of posting a ‘creative mission statement’ to the world at large and thereby making an early tentative step towards entering the industry.
Ruth Meehan, Director, And the Red Man Went Green, Winner DepicT! '06 Live Action Award:
The whole experience of Depict '06 has been fantastic from beginning to end. It was great to participate online with such an interesting and diverse range of short films. I had a blast at the Encounters festival meeting both the filmmakers and the judges. It is a delight and a privilege to be awarded this year’s prize.
Leigh Hodgkinson, Director, Flighty, Winner 2006 DepicT! Animation Award and 2006 Orange DepicT! Audience Award
An Audience Award is quite special - as that is who you make films for after all. It's so great that a competition like DepicT! exists and is getting more popular every year. 90 seconds may be a tiny slice of time but the online revolution means you can always go back for another helping. Yummy!
Read more about Encounters and DepicT!...
Read more from previous DepicT! winners...
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