Some late thoughts about Bristol Film Festivals (Encounters and Bristol Doc Fest)

September was a busy month for film screenings in Bristol, with Bristol Doc Fest launching its first year at the start of September and Encounters Film Festival closing the month (plus a number of events for the Aardman 50th Anniversary in-between).

We were lucky enough to be involved with the sound on a short documentary selected for BDF and three films chosen for the 'South West Showcase' at Encounters, so we spent a fair amount of time coming in and out of screenings and even being pulled into a post-screening Q&A for the Doc Fest.

What struck me most over the course of the festivals was the sense of ambition in trying to re-establish Bristol on the map as a city of filmmakers and cinema-goers. The Industry has been in a slump for a couple of years and we've really felt it across all kinds of production, but last month felt like a confidence was back and the Bristol film-making community was being shown at its best. It was the first year for BDF and the festival felt like a real success in organisation and delivery, straight out of the gate. Encounters is not long back from a hiatus and feels totally renewed with a bigger slate of feature films, international guests and mass appeal.

Usually I go to Sheffield DocFest every year and wonder why we don't have such a brilliant festival presence in Bristol, but last month I feel like Bristol managed it. 

It was nice to be a part of both, but it was especially nice to end the month feeling optimistic about filmmaking in the city again.