The Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival, one of the world’s leading showcases and meeting points for emerging talent, has launched the programme for its 18th edition, once again taking place in venues across Bristol but this year moving forward a few weeks, from September 18-23.

Two main competitive strands, Brief Encounters and Animated Encounters, will bring together 188 live action and animated short films from all over the globe, selected from almost 2,000 submissions.

The festival has a strong international flavour this year, with 36 countries represented. In addition to its own gongs, contenders will also be in the running for nomination to the Academy Awards, BAFTAs and Cartoon d’Or.

The festival’s new website has been unveiled alongside the 2012 trailer, a cinematic stop-motion piece featuring music from Bristol trio Three Cane Whale:

For full details of the Encounters Festival, visit www.encounters-festival.org.uk.