Encounters Festival Review 2010 by Mireia O'Prey

FESTIVAL REVIEW 2010 Showcase. Celebrate. Inspire. Supporting emerging film and animation talent and promoting the importance of short film

A WORD FROM CHAIR OF THE BOARD

MANAGING DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Enormous thanks for the continued support we receive

short film and animation are at the cutting edge

The 16th year of Encounters proved once again that there is tremendous demand for the festival. The addition of Animated Encounters gave the Festival an extra energy and a programme packed with new animated work from around the world. There is no doubt that the two strands ran very well side by side and produced many opportunities for cross-talk between the filmmakers. The Festival demonstrated that short film and animation are at the cutting edge of whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening in the media and where the next generation of talented people who will drive the industry will be coming from.

2010 saw an overall increase in submissions, the number of programmed films, audience, delegates and international guests which strengthens the claims that we celebrated the largest festival to date. This increase in size and successful reception of the returned strands Animated and Brief Encounters, only re-affirms the industries need and audience desire for the Festival, and gives some security for its future. This is even more important than ever in light of the industry developments with the closure of the UK Film Council, the end of the digital short film schemes and little evidence of what will replace them to support production and showcase of short film in the UK.

With the demise of the UK Film Council and the Regional Development Agency and a revamping of the Screen Agencies, Encounters will experience considerable turbulence in its funding arrangements. It is not so much that these bodies gave substantial funds to the Festival, but more that they endorsed the value of it, which in turn helped bring on board other sponsors. The festival brings considerable value to the UK and Bristol in so many ways and it can certainly continue to do that in the years to come.

For 2011 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2015 we are looking to enhance and develop the Festivals strengths and continue our commitment to providing an international platform for emerging film and animation talent. Steps towards this have already begun, having recently been accepted as a qualifying festival in the Academy AwardsÂŽ Short Film Category, adding further prestige to our two Grand Prix Awards. The Festival aims to continue to develop partnership relationships locally especially with the much anticipated M-Shed Museum of Bristol, as well as nationally with the reversion of the BFI and internationally. More than ever, we are looking to increase our audiences through online platforms and digital development to broaden participation by being an inclusive, accessible event, locally, nationally, and internationally.

David Sproxton Executive Chairman, Aardman Animations

We are again also indebted to South West Screen and Bristol City Council, who continue to support us, we will be watching the changes in these organisations closely over the next few months and hope for continued support. With all the changes in public funding bodies sponsorship will need to continue to take centre stage in supporting the arts. With enormous thanks for the continued support we receive we also welcomed new partners and sponsors and embraced the fresh approach and innovative ideas that they brought. The Festival team work tirelessly throughout the year and the core team are supported by a number of fantastic interns and volunteers and my gratitude goes out to each and every one as without them none of this is possible. Liz Harkman Managing Director 2

CREATIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT

ANIMATION PROGRAMME MANAGER'S REPORT

inspired by a collection of worldclass fims

A valuable form of cultural fusion

If you could capture the energy and the buzz that unravelled during this year’s Brief and Animated Encounters you would have in your possession a valuable form of cultural fusion. Every year it amazes and delights me, not only the quality of films submitted, but the generosity and openness of filmmakers and participants to share their experiences of trying to get on in the film and creative industries. Thoughts that still flowed through my mind after the Festival were of a ‘Meet the Directors’ session where an unlikely and unknown connection was made between a New Zealand filmmaker, a British filmmaker and Kathryn Bigelow’s The Hurt Locker. What this demonstrated was how small and supportive the global filmmaking world is, particularly towards people trying to create their own unique visions. Later in this same session, all the filmmakers agreed that each shared the feeling of walking on a tightrope between realising a creative vision, whilst attempting to earn a living. All strength to their tenacity and ambition that was evident all around the festival. Another discovery was Bristol-based filmmaker Conor McCormack, who demonstrated his practice of powerful, socially engaging filmmaking at the Festival, and I look forward to seeing what he makes in the future.

An animation festival is always much more than the opportunity to be inspired by a collection of world-class films over a short space of time. It is always much more than handing out awards, meeting new creative and talented people and attending a few parties. It is also about the business, the production and crafts of filmmaking and learning how to make a living from these and to develop a better understanding of the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves. Anyone with a strong interest in film culture whether it is in live action or animation appreciates the educational and inspirational qualities that a good festival provides. A good festival still stands strong as a vital force to film enthusiasts from the filmmakers to the audiences. The re-launch of Animated Encounters in 2010 was a bold and progressive move and a brave one in light of the many economical challenges currently facing the creative industries within the UK. This choice has been supported by the delegates, participants and sponsors whose feedback gave an overall success. Animated Encounters presented almost forty hours of animated films and related activities over four days. From the full day conference ‘Animation 4 Life’ (sponsored by Stop Motion Pro) to an expert-led panel discussion on how to sell new projects in ‘Preparing For Market’ (produced by the Children’s Media Conference), and from a fascinating focus on Irish short animated films ‘Irish Beauty’ to a sellout Desert Island Flicks show with comedian and sceptic Tim Minchin, Animated Encounters successfully delivered a new platform to animation practitioners and enthusiasts and will go on to build on this success in years to come.

A personal triumph for me was getting Dutch feature film Can Go Through Skin as part of our ‘Shorts2Features’ strand. I saw it at Berlin Film Festival in 2009 and apart from being struck by the quality of the filmmaking, was intrigued by the music. The ‘Narrative Thread’ section had invited Dan Geesin who scored the film and I had the pleasure of introducing him at the festival screening. Geesin is a truly creative musician whose own short films and music are delightful; very much an enjoyable discovery for me.

The ultimate success for any festival like Animated Encounters is dependent on productive and positive collaboration between the organisers, sponsors, animation professionals, students, audiences and all the other supportive organisations and individuals. The Festival is the proud culmination and focus of all these energies. The Festival is immensely grateful for all the support it receives and looks forward to evermore productive and brighter times ahead.

As I dashed from event, to talk, to reception, I did take time out to sneak into the back of the cinema to see how the programmes were playing. From what I saw and felt of the atmosphere in the auditorium, the audience were relishing this spirit of discovery, and outside filmmakers were relishing meeting the audience and sharing experiences with other filmmakers. This is what a festival should be all about – creative discoveries and connections.

Kieran Argo Animation Programme Manager, Animated Encounters

Mark Cosgrove Creative Director, Encounters Festival

Award Winners

BRIEF ENCOUNTERS GRAND PRIX

DERBY

Dir: Paul Negoescu (Romania 2010 14 mins 50 secs ) Prize sponsor

ANIMATED ENCOUNTERS GRAND PRIX

DER KLEINE UND DAS BIEST (THE LITTLE BOY AND THE BEAST) Dir: Johannes Weiland (Germany 2009 7 mins) Prize sponsor

BEST OF BRITISH JURY AWARD

FORGIVING YOUR P.E. TEACHER Dir: Warren Malone (UK 2009 14 mins 31 secs) Supported by

Prize partners

BEST OF BRITISH ANIMATION

BRIEF SOUTH WEST JURY AWARD

Dir: Joseph Pierce (UK 2009 4 mins 44 secs) Supported by

Dir: Samuel Abrahams (UK 2010 5 mins) Supported by

A FAMILY PORTRAIT

DOCUMENTARY AWARD

UNEARTHING THE PEN Dir: Carol Salter (Uganda 2010 12 mins 30 secs) Supported by

CONNECT

BEST OF BRITISH SOUTH WEST ANIMATION

LE TUFF TALK

Dir: William Garratt (UK 2009 2 mins 6 secs) Supported by

4MATIONS INTERNATIONAL NEWCOMER IN ANIMATION AWARD

FILMCLUB CHILDREN’S ANIMATION JURY AWARD

Dir: Mélody Cisinski, Jacques Jarczyk, Vincent Garcia, Floriane Marchix, Gwénolé Oul'chen, Patrick Pujalte (France 2009 2 mins 40 secs) Supported by

Dir: Peter Baynton (UK 2010 13 mins 32 secs) Supported by

INKA BOLA

SAVE OUR BACON

Award Winners

FILMCLUB YOUNG PEOPLES JURY AWARD

DER KLEINE UND DAS BIEST (THE LITTLE BOY AND THE BEAST) Dir: Johannes Weiland (Germany 2009 7 mins) Supported by

CARTOON D’OR NOMINATION

DER KLEINE UND DAS BIEST (THE LITTLE BOY AND THE BEAST) Dir: Johannes Weiland (Germany 2009 7 mins)

DOMINGUEROS

Dir: Nuria Gonzalez Blanco (UK 2010 4 mins 45 secs) Supported by Powered by

BRIEF ENCOUNTERS ONLINE AUDIENCE AWARD

UK FILM COUNCIL AUDIENCE AWARD

Dir: Dan Cottrell & Jed Cullen (UK 2010 3 mins 22 secs) Supported by

Dir: Hanne Larsen (Norway 2010 24 mins) Supported by

FUNLAND

ANIMATED ENCOUNTERS ONLINE AUDIENCE AWARD

ELLA

DEPICT! ' 10 AWARD

THE GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO VILLAINY

Dir: Aidan McAteer (Canada & Ireland 2010 1min 30 secs)

DEPICT! ' 10 BRITISH SPECIAL MENTION AWARD

SHOOTING PEOPLE DEPICT! AUDIENCE AWARD

Dir: Tim Frost (UK 30 secs)

Dir: Margherita Ferri (Italy 2010 1min 30 secs)

WHEN A HEN EATS A BEE

DepicT! Awards sponsored by: With support from: In partnership with:

TORTELLINI

STATISTICS Income % of total budget Sponsorship

Website 57.89%

Grants and donations

18.58%

(Statistics taken from 1st April 2010 – Current) Visits 87,127 Absolute Unique Visitors 46,887 Page Views 298,089 Social Networking Followers (Facebook, Twitter) 3,438

Earned income 23.82% (submissions, box office, delegate passes, advertising)

Audience Total Festival audience Total School’s screenings

6,908

special guests

240

Total special guests:

(from 10 schools ages 7-16)

Including: Andrew Davies, Andy Baker, Andy Serkis, Ben Gale, Bill Thompson, Camilla Deakin, Carolyn Hassan, Caspar Delaney, Cathal Gaffney, Chris Collins, Chris Ross, Christine Molloy, Damiano Vukotic, Dan Geesin, DC Turner, Ian Gailer, Joe Lawler, Julian McCrea, Kathrin Albers, Ken Wardrop, Marion Bowman, Martin Scheuring, Nick Bradshaw, Nick Park, Nik Powell, Paul Wells, Peter Symes, Rahwa Kiros, Rebecca Knapp, Richard Raskin, Richard Rowe, Tim Minchin.

Total Audience for year round events 3,988 (Tour, Solar Cinema, Harbour Festival AV Stage) Total Fresh Flix audience

875

Total year round audience

12,011

Online film views

23,766

Audience Feedback Distance travelled to the festival 3 miles or less

46%

Distance travelled to the festival 25 – 100 miles

17%

Audience felt that the overall festival was good or excellent

613

Filmmaker Delegates

42%

Students

30%

Industry Other

21%

Buyers, Distributors, Festivals

6.9%

Countries represented by delegates

Programme Submissions Representing countries Total Films Screened World Premiere’s International European British South West Live-action Drama Animation Documentary Experimental Screening programmes Events Digital Library Views Awards Prize money

97.5%

Delegates Total Delegates

Delegate Feedback Delegates aged 18 - 34

67%

Delegates thought the overall festival was good or excellent

88%

Delegates worked within the Media/Film Industry

52%

Seeking work

15%

Delegates travelled from 3 miles or less

32%

Delegates travelled from 3 – 25 miles*

26%

1628 63 378 43 79 46 77 27 68 102 14 9 69 53 1,577 17 £13,000

Sponsors FUNDERS

PARTNERS MAJOR SPONSORS