BRIEF ENCOUNTERS AT BRISTOL

ENTRIES have been invited for DepicT! 2001, the Brief Encounters competition which challenges budding international film-makers to make a world beating micro-movie of up to 90 seconds long and get the chance to win £3,000.
Brief Encounters 2001 will be the seventh annual short film festival held in Bristol. This leading UK festival has fast become established on the international film circuit and will showcase some of the very best in British and international short filmmaking. In a film filled five days of screenings and events Brief Encounters is also the place to discover new talented filmmakers of the future. Anthony Minghella, who attended last year’s festival, said: “Brief Encounters is a strong festival which delivers for filmmakers and audiences. I would be delighted to return.”
Over 150 entries were received for DepicT! last year from all over the world and the judges were thrilled with the quality and diverse range of techniques. The winners were announced at a gala awards ceremony attended by top names in the industry. This year, there are two £3,000 cash prizes for two separate categories – ‘live action/docu’ and ‘animation.’ The two runners-up will receive state of the art camcorders.
Aardman director Nick Park, who is patron of Brief Encounters, said: “DepicT! 2001 poses a challenge which involves all the considerations of film making and people entering will need to choose their story carefully and structure the film extremely tightly.”
Short film has traditionally provided a launch pad for filmmakers, with directors such as Nick Park (Chicken Run), Lynne Ramsey (Ratcatcher) and Damien O’Donnel (East is East) all starting out in short film.
Entries must be submitted by September 21 and they will be judged by a leading panel of industry professionals, including independent producer and chair of BAFTA Simon Relph, BBC executive producer Jeremy Howe and representatives from Aardman and Rushes.
DepicT! is sponsored by: Global Rights, Aardman, Rushes and McMillan.
(GB)