Sunday, Brief Encounters Film Festival & Music

Brief Encounters Wednesday 23rd till Sunday 27th November
Bristol's annual celebration of the short film - is the leading competitive short film festival in the UK. It combines extensive film exhibition, including a range of premieres and new talent from all over the globe, with education and training from respected industry professionals and an array of special events and parties. Brief Encounters is also the place to discover talented new filmmakers and meet key people from the film industry.

The first Brief Encounters festival of short film took place in 1995. It was originally seen as a ‘one-off’, part of the international celebrations marking the centenary of cinema. But it proved so successful, it has now become a key event in the film festival calendar.

Since its launch Brief Encounters has not only consistently showcased a fantastic array of shorts but has also presented a full programme of special events which have featured key industry figures such as : Andrea Arnold, Jack Cardiff, Terence Davies, Damien O’Donnell, Mike Figgis, Terry Jones, Mark Kermode, Andrew Kotting, Anthony Minghella, Shane Meadows, Nik Powell, Martin Strange-Hansen, Royston Tan, Alan Yentob and many more.


Programme Introduction by Mark Cosgrove, Creative Director
It is my view, and justly represented by the films in this year's festival, that the short film is more than a cinematic footnote to its younger offshoot the feature film. Indeed the short film provided the very source of experimentation at the birth of cinema in the work of Lumiere and Méliès.

This pioneering spirit of experimentation and adventurous filmmaking continues today whether it’s making work with new technologies or providing filmmakers with a creative space away from the increasingly formulaic constraints of the feature film.

The range of films in this year's programme demonstrates that the short film can surprise, bewilder, delight and provoke (sometimes all at the same time). In a packed five days you can journey through a myriad of lives from around the world and experience an exhilarating mix of styles and cinematic visions.

They may indeed be brief but I can assure you they will also be memorable encounters.
Mark Cosgrove, Creative Director

Visit the BRief Encounters web site for more information http://www.brief-encounters.org.uk/index.php

What about live music locally?

Events today in South Somerset & West Dorset
Crooked Furrow @ Lord Nelson, Norton-s-Hamdon
Jamming with Mutter & Gareth (3.30pm) @ Ropemakers, Bridport
Jason Chant @ Yeovil Ex-Services & Social Club

Events today in Taunton & Bridgwater areas
Live Music @ The Old Market, Bridgwater
Red Room Jazz (lunchtime) @ Cunninghams, Taunton


Have a great Sunday!

The Editor