THE UK’s creative industries will meet in York from tomorrow to Sunday for the 16th edition of the Aesthetica Film Festival.
From film and television to music, games, immersive technology and digital media, this BAFTA-Qualifying festival brings leading creative organisations, established practitioners and emerging talent together across the city.
For five days, York’s cinemas, theatres, museums, galleries and creative spaces will host more than 300 films alongside world premieres, live music, games, virtual reality, immersive installations, podcasts, masterclasses, workshops and industry events.
“The programme reflects the increasingly connected nature of the creative industries – and a festival that has made York its natural meeting point,” says festival founder and director Cherie Federico.
“Aesthetica has always been about creating a space where audiences can discover new ideas and where artists and industry can connect. With the city’s UNESCO status, York is fundamental to that. We bring together people working across film, television, music, games, technology and the wider creative industries, and give them a city in which to connect.”
At the heart of the festival is its international film programme, with more than 300 films spanning animation, comedy, dance, documentary, drama, fashion, music video, thriller and more. The 2026 programme features Aisling Bea, David Jonsson, Maxine Peake, Michael Sheen, Sally Phillips and Stephen Fry, alongside emerging filmmakers aplenty.
The industry programme brings significant British creative organisations to York, including Aardman, BBC, Film4, Framestore, ITV, Neal Street Productions, Ridley Scott Associates and Ubisoft.
Award-winning practitioners appearing across the programme include Mark Jenkin, Nina Hartstone & Louise Burton, Mick Audsley, Neil Forsyth and Derry Girls’ Brian J. Falconer.
Alongside sessions on directing, sound design, visual effects, animation and production, audiences can go behind the scenes of a Ridley Scott production and join several celebrations of 50 years of Aardman animation.
The UK Production Summit brings senior figures from film and television to York for panels, keynotes and networking, with commissioners and producers from organisations including Film4, Ridley Scott Associates, Sky and Warner Bros.
“For York’s creative community, this is an opportunity to engage directly with a national industry that is too often concentrated in London and the South East,” says Cherie.
“The ambition has always been bigger than a film festival. We want Aesthetica to be a place where the industry meets, ideas develop and collaborations can begin. Bringing those conversations to York matters. The creative industries are not something happening somewhere else; they are happening here.”
This sense of connection extends beyond film. A dedicated music programme brings emerging artists, record labels, A&R representatives and music professionals together, topped off by the New Music Stage returning to York Theatre Royal on Saturday.
Ten breakthrough artists, including acts from Dublin and Derry, will perform across indie, folk, jazz, hip-hop, alt-pop and pop, alongside panels, masterclasses and networking with BBC Introducing on Radio 1 (Jess Iszatt), Beggars Group (Rough Trade and Matador Records), GQ, Dazed, Universal Music and Futuresound Group.
The festival looks to the future of storytelling through its Games Lab and VR Lab. Now in its fourth edition, Games Lab returns to the National Centre for Early Music, Walmgate, with 50 games across PC, console, headsets and smart devices, showcasing independent developers alongside established studios. The VR Lab explores immersive cinema and the possibilities of 360-degree storytelling.
“The future of storytelling is not one format,” says Cherie. “It is film, music, games, podcasts, immersive art, virtual reality and whatever comes next. Aesthetica gives all of those forms a place to meet.”
This approach is particularly at home in York, the UK’s only UNESCO City of Media Arts. This year the UNESCO City of Media Arts EXPO has moved from the Guildhall to the De Grey Rooms, bringing together 40 organisations and creative businesses working across film, games, immersive technology, digital storytelling and creative innovation on Thursday and Friday. Admission is free.
To complement the EXPO, in a new festival strand, York Business School at York St John University will present free workshops and talks by Argonon, Creative UK, the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, Innovate UK, Scottish Games Network and Screen Yorkshire. The EXPO and workshops will open up conversations between creative businesses, students, audiences and industry professionals.
The festival will extend into York’s public spaces. Through its partnership with Audible, the free Radical Listening Immersive Media Arts Trail, running from Exhibition Square and the York Theatre Royal patio towards King’s Square, will feature new light, sound and interactive technology installations by Squidsoup, Steve Messam and Being Now.
Audio storytelling is represented by Aesthetica’s Podcast Lounge at City Screen Picturehouse, exploring true crime, investigative journalism, documentary and audio fiction.
The partnership with Audible continues with the Listening Pitch, culminating in the premiere of three new documentaries on Friday at City Screen, followed by a Q&A, DJ, drinks and networking.
Family Friendly screenings and workshops at York St John University Creative Centre will introduce children aged seven to 14 to filmmaking, acting, gaming and stop-motion animation, giving them practical experience of creative technology while developing digital literacy.
“I’m keen for people who may not have come to the festival previously to come this time,” says Cherie. “It’s bigger than just going to the films or masterclasses,” says Cherie. “Why not go to the free EXPO or Immersive Media Arts Trail, so that everyone can feel part of it?
“This festival is a chance for York to embrace with new media, which doesn’t happen anywhere else in the UK and is unique to this city.
“For five days, York becomes the UK hub for these industries. That’s exciting and something we should take pride in – and the festival brings £2mto the York economy.”
Aesthetica Film Festival 2026, York, November 4 to 8.Festival passes include access to film screenings, masterclasses and events, with selected activities requiring advance registration. Single-screening tickets and one-day, two-day and unlimited passes are available. York residents can save 25 per cent on a One Day Festival Pass. Tickets and full programme: asff.co.uk.
The poster for Aesthetica Film Festival 2026: five days of film and much more in York
FESTIVAL director Cherie Federico provides her guide to five days of film and much more besides in York.
Film screenings
EXPERIENCE more than 300 shorts, features, documentaries, animations and experimental films from across the globe. Many of these titles are Oscar and BAFTA-qualifying, giving audiences a first look at the filmmakers of the future. Genres include Advertising, Artists’s Film, Comedy, Dance, Drama, Family Friendly, Thriller, Fashion and Thriller.
Attend the Makers’ Forum at York Theatre Royal from November 5 to 8 to hear from directors and producers, discover new cinematic voices and celebrate bold, thought-provoking storytelling that pushes boundaries and challenges perspectives.
VR and Games Labs
STEP into the future of storytelling. The VR (Virtual Reality) and Games Labs at the National Centre for Early Music, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate, invite audiences to explore cutting-edge works in virtual, augmented and mixed reality, plus innovative indie games. Engage with immersive environments, interactive narratives and demonstrations from the frontier of creative technology. Learn how artists are merging code, design and emotion to reinvent what it means to experience a story.
Enjoying the full virtual reality experience in Aesthetica’s VR Lab
Masterclasses and panels
AESTHETICA’S industry sessions feature icons and innovators from Ridley Scott Associates, Aardman, BBC, Film4 and Framestore. Gain insight into the craft and business of filmmaking, from production design and cinematography to pitching, funding and post-production. Ideal for anyone serious about their creative career.
Workshops and roundtables
BE hands-on with practical sessions designed for filmmakers, producers and writers. From screenwriting labs and pitching clinics to discussions on funding, diversity and distribution, these workshops provide actionable advice from professionals.
The roundtable format encourages open dialogue and peer learning: an ideal space to test ideas, ask questions and gain valuable mentorship.
Venues for masterclasses and workshops range from York Theatre Royal, the Yorkshire Museum and York St John University Creative Centre to Spark: York and the De Grey Rooms.
A still from Owen Richards’s Elsewhere, one of 300 films showing at Aesthetica Film Festival 2026
Networking and pitching
MEET producers, commissioners and collaborators at Aesthetica’s networking events and UK Film Production Summit, featuring more than 150 companies, at The Grand, Station Rise, on November 5. Socials and informal meet-ups give you a chance to share your ideas, find partners and make connections that could propel your next project forward. This is where creative relationships and future deals are born.
Parties and socials
WHEN the lights go down, the city comes alive. Aesthetica’s parties are legendary: relaxed and welcoming spaces where creatives from film, music, gaming and art collide.
Whether you are winding down after a screening or celebrating a new collaboration, the festival’s social scene is where friendships form, ideas spark and stories continue long into the night.
Going behind the camera at Aesthetica Film Festival
Listening Pitch premieres
NOW in its sixth year, the Listening Pitch at City Screen Picturehouse from November 5 to 8 shines a spotlight on the future of audio documentary. Aesthetica has commissioned 13 original documentaries through this pioneering programme, and this year marks the premiere of three new projects.
Previous commissions have gone on to screen at SXSW (South By South West) and Sundance and have been acquired by the Guardian. This is the place to discover bold new documentary talent with live presentations, audience Q&As and an atmosphere that celebrates the art of sound and story.
New Music Stage
FEATURING a line-up of some of the UK and Ireland’s most exciting emerging artists, the New Music Stage blends film and sound in thrilling ways. This year’s acts at York Theatre Royal on November 7 from 1pm to 8.50pm include LFay, Katherine Aly, Lepani, Chisara, Circe, Pavey Ark, PH, Winemom, Other People’s Leisure and Roe –the headliners of tomorrow.
In addition, hear from the keynote speaker, BBC Introducing/BBC Radio 1 presenter Jess Iszatt, plusUniversal Music, Rough Trade, Domino Records and more. This event is included in all valid festival passes. Alternatively, a New Music Stage ticket can be bought from York Theatre Royal at https://www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/show/aesthetica-new-music-stage/.
New Music Stage: Showcasing British and Irish emerging artists at York Theatre Royal
Immersive Media Arts Trail
CREATED in partnership with Audible, the Radical Listening Immersive Media Trail will bring three new installation-based artworks to York from November 4 to 8. Works by Squidsoup, Steve Messam and Being Now Here will use light, sound and interactive technology to transform public spaces in a free art trail that will run from Exhibition Square and York Theatre Royal and towards King’s Square.
Podcast Lounge
AESTHETICA is the first UK film festival to offer a dedicated Podcasting Lounge, a space where audio is at the centre of storytelling. Curated to spotlight dynamic voices in independent podcasting, the lounge offers the opportunity to pause and take a moment to truly listen. Here is a chance to sit down, discover new voices and listen to bold new stories in The Basement at City Screen Picturehouse, open daily from10am to 9.30pm throughout the festival.
Now in its 16th year, Aesthetica Film Festival will run in myriad York locations from November 4 to 8. For full details and to book festival passes and tickets, go to asff.co.uk.
Look out too for UNESCO City of Media Arts EXPO featuring games, films, VFX and design, showcased by 40 exhibiting organisations at the De Grey Rooms, Exhibition Square, York, on November 5 and 6 from 9am to 9pm. Admission is free, For more details, go to mediacityexpo.com. This will be complemented by UNESCO Expo Workshops, presented by York Business School.
A still from 2026 Aesthetica Art Prize main prize winner Felipe Castelblanco’s three-channel video and sound work Tunda: A Quantic Plant and the Devil’s Breath
FELIPE Castelblanco is the £10,000 Main Prize winner of the 2026 Aesthetica Art Prize at York Art Gallery with his 2025 three-channel video and sound work Tunda: A Quantic Plant and the Devil’s Breath.
The £1,000 Emerging Prize went to DIVA’s three-channel video and sound work Memoria 2020: When Memories Are No Longer Enough, produced in 2025 with the support of the Department of Art History and Film Studies at the University of Montreal and the Graduate Film Programme at Howard University.
Castelblanco is a multidisciplinary artist, researcher and filmmaker who works at the intersection of participatory, film and media art. Tunda: A Quantic Plant and the Devil’s Breath explores the entangled histories of plants and colonial extraction, depicting an Indigenous man thrust from the Colombian Amazon to the Swiss Alps, drifting between vision and reality.
Landing in a remote museum’s herbarium, he encounters botanical artefacts relating to the Brugmansia plant. This plant is a powerful teacher for Kamnënstá Indigenous healers in Colombia’s Andean-Amazon region. Among these communities, it is believed to possess the ability to cross boundaries of time and space. The work combines science, ethnomedicine and ecology, encouraging us to question how we see things.
Memoria 2020: When Memories Are No Longer Enoughreflects onDIVA’sidentity as a Black French woman in New Orleans through the lens of another diasporic experience: a Mardi Gras Indian Queen.
The Aesthetica Art Prize exhibition on show at York Art Gallery. Picture: Jim Poyner
The Mardi Gras Indian tradition is believed to originate from encounters between Native and Black communities in the late 19th century. The Queen’s voice introduces the traditions and history of this African American cultural practice, rooted in community resilience and resistance. The work explores how artistic archives, cultural memory and testimony shape belonging across diasporic histories.
Both winners are featured in the Aesthetica Art Prize 2026: States of Becoming exhibition, running at York Art Gallery until November 15 2026.
The exhibition showcases 20 shortlisted artists whose work addresses urgent global themes, including health and wellbeing and the environment in the modern age; the impact of emerging technologies on perception; our changing relationship with the world and to nature past and present; memory as something continually reconstructed and identity, migration and belonging.
Moved this year from the ground floor to the first floor, this annual showcase presents the work of contemporary artists around the globe, working across a range of media, including digital media arts, while supporting York’s status as a UNESCO Media Arts City and bolstering the creative industries within this historic city.
DIVA’s three-channel video and sound work Memoria 2020: When Memories Are No Longer Enough
Aesthetica director Cherie Federico says: “Now marking its 20th anniversary, the Aesthetica Art Prize stands as an international platform for contemporary art, amplifying voices that shape and challenge the cultural conditions of the present day.
“Over two decades it has evolved into a space where artistic practice is not only exhibited but also activated, supporting careers, fostering global dialogue and championing work that responds directly to the urgencies of now.
“This is art with purpose: work that operates as a force of disruption and recalibration, unsettling fixed ways of seeing and opening up new ways of understanding a world in flux.”
The selected artists engage directly with the defining pressures of contemporary life, from accelerating technologies that reshape perception and truth, to the legacies of colonial histories and their ongoing impact on identity and belonging, and ecological systems under strain, says Cherie.
Kazuaki Koseki’s Golden Forest (2020) on show at York Art Gallery
“Across these works, memory is not fixed but porous and unstable, continuously rewritten through image, material and experience. Photography, film and installation move beyond documentation into active states of becoming, where meaning is constructed, unsettled and reformed,” she continues.
“Rather than resolving uncertainty, the Prize holds space for it – creating a platform where contemporary art reflects, resists and redefines the present.”
Of the winners, she says: “The Aesthetica Art Prize has grown into an international platform for contemporary art, creating opportunities for artists at pivotal stages in their careers and connecting their work with new audiences.
“Felipe Castelblanco and DIVA demonstrate the power of art to deepen our understanding of history, identity, ecology and collective memory. Their work invites audiences to engage with urgent questions from fresh perspectives, creating space for reflection, dialogue and new ways of seeing.”
Filip Haglund’s 4 Oceans Installed All Blue on show in the 2026 Aesthetica Art Prize exhibition
Livia Turnbull, curator of contemporary art at York Art Gallery, says: “It is wonderful to be hosting Aesthetica as it celebrates its 20th year. The range of mediums are always an exciting part of the exhibition design, blending the physical and digital into York Art Gallery and recognising how they sit alongside the other contemporary works in our own collection.
“The Prize helps to show the range of artistic diversity within the exhibitions programme and showcases York as a champion of creative arts and media.”
The 20 shortlisted artists on display are: Alexis Pichot; Chrissy Lush; Claudia Behrensen: DIVA (Emerging Prize winner); Edgar Martins; Felipe Castelblanco (Main Prize winner); Filip Haglund; Hope Strickland; Jarrett Murphy; Jeonghan Yun; Katharine Dowson; Kazuaki Koseki; Liza Dracup; Magid Magid; Neil Armstrong; Neville Gabie; Sara Campaci; Teti (Julia Teti); Tommy Goguely and Yasuaki Matsuura.
Some works mesh a combination of the States Of Becoming themes together, such as winner Castelblanco’s Tunda: A Quantic Plant and the Devil’s Breath, while Claudia Behrensen ‘s Sacred Bond follows a similar theme, but instead looks to the future by portraying the link between people and the natural world through powerful imagery of a dystopian world if nature continues to be neglected in favour of artificial entertainment.
Captain Murphy from Hope Strickland’s shortlisted entry for the 2026 Aesthetica Art Prize
Other works from Filip Haglund, Hope Strickland, Jarrett Murphy and Alexis Pichot also navigate themes of the natural world. Pichot and Murphy use photography and prints to capture forests and mountains, while Haglund and Strickland portray their explorations of the ocean and rivers through film.
Kazuaki Koseki captures Himebotaru fireflies, a species unique to Japan, in an illuminated scene highlighting the beauty of the fireflies with the fragility of nature.
DIVA’s Memoria 2020: When Memories Are No Longer Enough and Magid Magid’s Faith Amongst The Ruins look at identity, race and cultural memory in the community, while Edgar Martins’ prints make a poignant comment on mental health in the modern world.
Jeonghan Yun’s Photograph Drawing III encourages discussion about how photography and drawing are defined, directing focus to either the different lenses or the abstract of the overall piece. Contemporary art is a continually fluctuating practice, where works such as Yun’s facilitate how these media are displayed and interpreted.
Arrival, from Chrissy Lush’s Now series, 2024-ongoing, in the Aesthetica Art Prize exhibition
York, as a proud member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, celebrates new and ground-breaking installations that demonstrate the creativity and innovation of contemporary artists.
York’s status as a UNESCO City of Media Arts provides an important cultural foundation for this work, positioning it within a globally connected network of creative cities. This status reinforces the city’s role as a site of exchange where international artistic practice intersects with local cultural infrastructure.
Within this framework, the Aesthetica Art Prize continues to expand its global reach, with artists applying to enter from more than 60 countries and contributing to an increasingly diverse curatorial field.
The exhibition becomes a space where international perspectives converge, producing dialogue that extends beyond geography. Contemporary art is understood here as a shared global language shaped through multiple contexts and voices, creating a dynamic environment where cultural exchange is continuous and evolving.
Tommy Goguely’s Digigrams entry for the 2026 Aesthetica Art Prize
Since its inception in 2007, the Aesthetica Art Prize has become a springboard for some of the most dynamic and groundbreaking artists working today. Thousands of practitioners have been recognised through the Prize, and alumni include internationally acclaimed artists such as Larry Achiampong, Jenn Nkiru, Julia Fullerton-Batten, Liz West, Steve Messam and Squidsoup.
Aesthetica’s magazine, in circulation for more than 20 years and with a total reach of 950,000, has been instrumental in shaping conversations around contemporary culture, championing innovation and amplifying diverse voices globally.
The Aesthetica Art Prize exhibition is part of a wider programme that has seen four other exhibitions open across North Yorkshire at Skipton Town Hall, Scarborough Art Gallery, Woodend Gallery, Scarborough, and Mercer Art Gallery, Harrogate. Find out more at https://artprize.aestheticamagazine.com/northyorkshire/
The Aesthetica Art Prize exhibition runs until November 15, open Wednesdays to Sundays, 10am to 5pm, and is included in general admission. A programme of talks will accompany the exhibition; events will be uploaded throughout the run at https://www.yorkartgallery.org.uk/exhibition/aesthetica-art-prize-2026/.
A visitor stands by DIVA’s Memoria 2020: When Memories Are No Longer Enough, the Emerging Prize winner in the 2026 Aesthetica Art Prize. Picture: York Museums Trust
Aesthetica Art Prize main prize winner Tobi Onabolu’s Danse Macabre, on show at York Art Gallery
YORK arts movers and shakers Aesthetica present two landmark exhibitions at York Art Gallery, the 2025 Aesthetica Art Prize and Future Tense: Art in the Age of Transformation, featuring large-scale immersive installations by prize alumni Squidsoup and Liz West.
On show among work by 25 shortlisted entries are main prize winner Tobi Onabolu’s Danse Macabre and Emerging Prize winner Sam Metz’s Porosity.
Tobi Onabolu is an artist-filmmaker and writer from London, now based in Grand Popo, Benin Republic. Danse Macabre explores spirituality, mental health and the human psyche, combining combines poetry, music, archival audio and movement to represent the conscious and unconscious mind.
Emerging Prize winner Sam Metz’s Porosity
Dancers, singers, and unseen voices animate Onabolu’s portrait of healing and expanded awareness, wherein Yoruba Egúngún masquerades symbolise ancestral memory and energy.
The work synthesises elements from Yoruba traditions, European cinema and experimental music, creating a performance that draws from multiple geographies and timelines.
Porosity reflects Sam Metz’s sensory experience of the Humber Estuary. Bright yellow structures echo how the water’s reflection is seen through ocular albinism (a genetic condition that affects the eyes and often can cause visual differences, such as light sensitivity, reduced depth perception and involuntary eye movements).
Our Spectral Vision, by Liz West, 2016
Neurodivergent artist Metz uses sculpture to communicate non-verbally. Porosity challenges conventional ideas of sculpture by integrating disability and chronic pain into its core form, embracing difference as both method and message.
The exhibition showcases all 25 shortlisted artists whose work spans a diverse range of mediums, addressing urgent global themes including migration, cultural identity, ecological fragility, and the intersection of technology and the human experience.
In Future Tense: Art in the Age of Transformation, Squidsoup’s Submergence immerses audiences in an ocean of 8,000 responsive LED lights, blurring the line between digital and physical space, while Liz West’s Our Spectral Vision surrounds visitors with a radiant spectrum of colour in a sensory encounter.
Submergence, by Squidsoup, 2023
Since its inception in 2007, the Aesthetica Art Prize has become a springboard for a host of dynamic and groundbreaking artists. Thousands of practitioners have been recognised through the prize, including such alumni as Larry Achiampong, whose multidisciplinary practice explores postcolonial identity; filmmaker Jenn Nkiru, internationally acclaimed for her work on Black To Techno and Beyoncé’s Black Is King and Noémie Goudal, known for her striking combinations of photography, film and installation.
Collectively, Aesthetica alumni have exhibited at Tate Modern, The Photographers’ Gallery, MoMA PS1, Foam Amsterdam, the V&A, Guggenheim, Barbican, Saatchi Gallery and Centre Pompidou, firmly establishing the Aesthetica Art Prize as one of the most important talent platforms in the world.
York organisation Aesthetica’s magazine – in circulation for more than 20 years with a readership of 550,000 across more than 20 countries – has been instrumental in shaping conversations around contemporary culture, championing innovation and amplifying diverse voices globally.
“The Aesthetica Art Prize prize continues to nurture artists whose practices make a lasting impact on contemporary art both in the UK and internationally,” says Aesthetica director Cherie Federico
Cherie Federico, director of Aesthetica and curator of Future Tense, says: “The Aesthetica Art Prize has always been about recognising and celebrating exceptional artistic talent and giving them a platform to share their vision with the world.
“Our 2025 winners, Tobi Onabolu and Sam Metz, exemplify the innovation, creativity, and relevance that the prize seeks to champion. Seeing their work alongside the broader exhibition, and in the context of alumni Liz West and Squidsoup, highlights how the prize continues to nurture artists whose practices make a lasting impact on contemporary art both in the UK and internationally.”
Cherie continues: “Aesthetica is a leading organisation in the UK offering this level of visibility to such a wide spectrum of contemporary talent. It continues to create platforms that propel artists from emerging practice to international recognition.
Light and shade: CharlesHutchPress visiting Liz West’s Our Spectral Vision at York Art Gallery
“York, a designated UNESCO City of Media Arts, provides the stage, but it is Aesthetica that drives this conversation forward – showcasing artists whose works challenge conventions, transform spaces, and inspire audiences on a national and international scale.”
Livia Turnbull, curator of contemporary art at York Art Gallery, adds: “Hosting both the Aesthetica Art Prize and Future Tense at the same time is incredibly exciting. These exhibitions transform our galleries with installations and artworks that speak directly to today’s world. It’s a unique chance for visitors to encounter art that is ambitious, thought-provoking and deeply relevant.”
To book tickets, go to: yorkartgallery.org.uk/tickets.
DILETTANTE is the real thing! She has won the inaugural New Music Stage showcase for the UK’s most exciting emerging musical talent at York’s Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2025.
At last Saturday’s event, part of the festival’s debut Beyond the Frame strand at York Theatre Royal, Dilettante delivered a set that captivated audience and jury alike with emotive vocals, layered textures and commanding stage presence.
Reflecting on her victory, she said: “What a massive honour to win this inaugural award. I’m a massive film nerd and I’m really excited to see both film and music festivals starting to work together to support artists across forms. Especially great to win in my home county of Yorkshire and in such a beautiful theatre!”
Signed to EMI North, praised by Mojo and Uncut magazines and featured at SXSW(South By Southwest) and The Great Escape, Dilettante – the inventive art-pop project of Francesca Pidgeon – has risen from Manchester basements to now embarking on festival appearances and cross-disciplinary collaborations across music, film and XR (Extended Reality).
Daisy Gill: From The Voice UK to New Music Stage at Aesthetica Short Film Festival
Last Saturday’s 2pm to 11pm curated line-up of breakthrough talent featured acts championed by tastemakers such as BBC Radio 1, BBC 6Music, RTÉ Radio 1 and Mojo and Rolling Stone magazines.
Taking part were winner Dilettante; BLÁNID, an Irish singer-songwriter with one million Spotify streams; Crazy James, lauded by BBC Introducing for his high-energy rap; Daisy Gill, alumna of The Voice UK with Glastonbury and Royal Albert Hall appearances to her name, and Ewan Sim, featured on Spotify Fresh Finds.
Participating too were Isabel Maria, BBC Introducing One-to-Watch and North East Culture Award winner; Emma Johnson, an alt-pop artist featured on BBC Radio 1 and Radio X; Kengo, BBC Introducing-supported hip-hop talent; Messy Eater, immersive art-rock innovator, and Tarian, a Welsh artist who blends hip-hop with emotive pop and classical roots.
The New Music Stage jury brought together leading industry representatives including James Matthew, from Universal Music Group; Rachel Hill, of Futuresound Group, Leeds; Pablo Ettinger, Caffè Nero co-founder; Emma Stakes, of Production Park; Rob Clark, head of media at Imagesound, plus plus musical artists such as Jack Savoretti, The Dunwells, Fauzia Habib, Kat Day (The KVB) and singer-songwriter Rachel Croft, formerly of York, now based in London.
Messy Eater: Replaced Scarborough’s Pleasure Centre in the New Music Stage line-up at York Theatre Royal
The New Music Stage aims to be about “more than performance”, connecting artists with the broader cultural ecosystem being built through such festivals as ASFF.
The showcase combines collaborations with Universal Music A&R and Imagesound with opportunities for national airplay across Caffè Nero as the festival creates a pipeline to connect grassroots talent with national and international audiences.
“Dilettante’s win demonstrates the extraordinary potential of the next generation of musicians,” said festival director Cherie Federico.
Caffe Nero founder Pablo Ettinger highlighted the industry opportunities for emerging talent: “Supporting emerging talent at this level is vital,” he said. “These stages give artists the chance to reach audiences and figures they might not meet otherwise.”
“The New Music Stage promises to grow into a landmark event for UK and global music, reaffirming the vital role of live discovery in the cultural ecosystem,” says ASFF director Cherie Federico
The New Music Stage was set up against the backdrop of the culture of discovering new music live being in decline. Between 2022 and 2023, the UK lost roughly 13 per cent of grassroots music venues, compounded by more than 15 per cent closing or ceasing live music activity last year alone, while audience numbers for live shows have fallen by nearly 17 cent since 2019.
“The New Music Stage addresses this gap, giving audiences the thrill of experiencing music at its moment of emergence, just as grassroots venues once did,” said Cherie.
“By integrating the New Music Stage with film, games and XR, Aesthetica fosters a multidisciplinary creative community. Audiences can witness performances in context with broader creative innovation, and artists gain exposure to delegates from more than 60 countries, industry leaders and tastemakers, helping to launch careers on a global scale.
Rachel Croft: York singer-songwriter on the New Music Stage jury
Running from November 5 to 9, the 15th BAFTA-qualifying ASFF brought together together 300 films, music, games, podcasting, the UNESCO City Of Media Arts EXPO, masterclasses, workshops, the VR Lab, the first Aesthetica Fringe and Beyond the Frame in one immersive environment in York, providing a platform for collaboration, discovery and cultural exchange.
Across five days, York became a hub for creativity, where tomorrow’s stars in film, music, VR, games, and podcasts were discovered first. The festival’s international reach and multidisciplinary programming ensure it is not only a British event but also a meeting point for the most exciting voices in global screen and creative media.
Summarising the festival’s vision, Cherie said: “We’re building a festival where creativity meets opportunity. It’s not just about performances; it’s about creating connections, sparking collaborations and nurturing the next generation of artists across multiple disciplines.
“With this international scale, the New Music Stage promises to grow into a landmark event for UK and global music, reaffirming the vital role of live discovery in the cultural ecosystem.”
Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2025 Best Documentary and Best of Fest winner: JD Donnelly’s The Hold
YORK’S Aesthetica Short Film Festival has concluded its landmark 15th anniversary edition by announcing 2025’s award-winning filmmakers: a new generation of talent poised to shape the future of screen culture.
For 15 years, Aesthetica has been the home of new voices in film, where tomorrow’s BAFTA and Oscar nominees and winners are first discovered.
Across five transformative days, fromNovember 5 to 9, York welcomed filmmakers, delegates and industry professionals from more than 60 countries worldwide, underscoring the BAFTA-qualifying festival’s significance as an international platform for storytelling and creative exchange.
This year’s winners, selected from more than 300 films spanning 15 categories, represent the best in innovation, creativity and emotional storytelling. Audiences were reminded that the filmmakers, writers and artists celebrated here are the stars of tomorrow, destined to become household names on the international stage.
Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2025 Best Director: Reiff Gaskell for Cuerpos
2025 Award Winners
Genre awards:
Best Advertising: Swimming With Butterflies – Karl Stelter
Best Animation: Wild Animal – Tianyun Lyu
Best Artists’ Film: Mother Company – Alexandros Raptotasios; Konstantinos Thomaidis
Best Comedy: Dating In Your 20s – Lily Rutterford; Lucy Minderides
Best Dance: Spoken Movement Family Honour – Daniel Gurton
Best Documentary: The Hold – JD Donnelly
Best Drama: El Corazón – Oscar Simmons
Best Experimental: We Will Be Who We Are – Priscillia Kounkou Hoveyda
Best Fashion: Fugue – Nastassia Nikè Swan Yin Winge
Best Family Friendly: Girls Together – Christie Arnold
Best Music Video: Tank – Garath Whyte
Best Thriller: Scope – Emma Moffat
Best VR & Immersive: Xian’er (Chinese Immortals) – Fang Zhou
Best Game: Blue Prince – Dogubomb
Best Feature (Documentary): Torn – Kullar Viimne
Best Feature (Narrative): Disremember – Matthew Simpson
Best Podcast: Reality Looks Back – Anne Jeppesen
Craft & special awards:
Best Director: Cuerpos – Reiff Gaskell
Best Cinematography: Baby – Simisolaoluwa Akande
Best Editing: No One Really Knows Me Well – Gaia
Best Screenplay: Giants – Alex Oates, Andy Berriman
Best of Fest: The Hold – JD Donnelly
Mark Kermode: Busy festival, playing with his band The Dodge Brothers twice, first at Silent Cinema with Live Score screening of 1928’s Beggars Of Life, starring Louise Brooks, at York Theatre Royal on November 6, then at The Basement, City Screen Picturehouse, on November 7, after his In Conversation with Mark Kermode book discussion with Surround Sound co-author Jenny Nelson at York Theatre Royal. Picture: Julie Edwards
Festival Highlights: Five days of creativity, performance and innovation
A Global Programme of Film
Aesthetica 2025 screened more than 300 films across multiple venues, representing genres from drama and documentary to experimental work and immersive VR projects. Filmmakers from around the world attended in person, sparking conversations and collaborations that extended beyond the cinemas into York’s streets and cafés. The festival’s international scale reinforces its role as a launchpad for talent on a global stage.
Masterclasses and industry insight
THE festival’s Masterclass series offered audiences unparalleled access to industry leaders, including:
Peter Straughan (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy)
Jasmin John(Adolescence, Boiling Point)
Mick Audsley (Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire)
Industry organisations such as Aardman, BBC, Film4, Framestore, The New York Times, ITV, Industrial Light & Magic and Ridley Scott Associates shared insights into directing, screenwriting, post-production and the creative use of emerging technologies.
Beyond the Frame: Live performance, comedy & music
York Theatre Royal played host to live events and performances:
Comedy Night with Sophie Duker & Friends, featuring Eleanor Tiernan and Bella Hull.
Silent Cinema with Live Score, featuring Louise Brooks in 1928’s Beggars Of Life accompanied by bass player Mark Kermode’s band The Dodge Brothers and Neil Brand.
Mark Kermode in Conversation with Surround Sound co-author Jenny Nelson, exploring the role of music in film storytelling.
The New Music Stage, showcasing ten emerging acts, with Universal Music A&R and singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti attending.
The poster for Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2025
Immersive & Interactive: The EXPO, VR & Games Lab
THE VR & Games Lab pushed the boundaries of storytelling through interactive and immersive media. The Podcasting Lounge celebrated excellence in audio storytelling, while the York UNESCO City of Media Arts EXPO highlighted cutting-edge innovation across digital media, visual effects and design. Workshops for children and teens in filmmaking, animation, and coding nurtured the next generation of creative talent.
UK Film Production Summit
THE UK Film Production Summit, held at The Grand, York, brought together more than 150 leading production companies, development executives and commissioners. Chaired by Ridley Scott Associates, discussions explored The Future of Production: Scripted, Unscripted, Film, TV & Streaming, with sessions on AI, virtual production, global streaming and investment models.
Mark Herbert, CEO of Warp Films, delivered a keynote speech on independent storytelling and the future of British production, joined by representatives from BBC Films, Film4, Working Title, Paramount, Clerkenwell (Baby Reindeer), Scott Free and many more.
Festival director Cherie Federicosaid: “Aesthetica is about discovery, ambition, and possibility. Over five days, York becomes a place where the next generation of talent is seen first, where ideas collide, and where creativity thrives across every discipline – from film and music to VR, games and podcasts.
“This festival is the beating heartbeat of the UK’s creative sector, a space where innovation, culture and storytelling converge, shaping the future of our industry.”
Continuing online
AESTHETICA 2025 continues online until November 30, offering audiences the chance to catch up on all the films, see the winners and discover the brightest and boldest talent in screen from around the world. This digital extension ensures the festival’s creativity, innovation and international spirit can reach audiences across the UK and globally. Visit: www.asff.co.uk.
AS part of Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2025, ten breakthrough music acts will be competing live at York Theatre Royal on Saturday as the city becomes the epicentre of British music discovery.
This inaugural line-up will be a showcase of breadth and originality, featuring artists who have performed at SXSW, Glastonbury and Kendal Calling, appeared on The Voice and received plays from BBC Introducing, BBC Radio 1 and Radio X.
The Aesthetica New Music Stage is a bold, innovative platform like nothing else in the country, billed as the UK’s version of SXSW (South By Southwest, in Austin, Texas) and a first-of-its-kind national music competition embedded within a film festival.
DaisyGill
What’s more, New Music Stage involves collaborations with Universal Music A&R and Imagesound and opportunities for national airplay across Caffè Nero, as the festival creates a pipeline to connect grassroots talent with national and international audiences.
As Pablo Ettinger, founder of Caffe Nero and owner of Talentbanq, says: “There is nothing like this anywhere else in the UK. By working with Aesthetica, we are creating a national stage for discovery and giving artists the support they need to take their careers forward.
“It’s about creating pathways, reaching audiences in new ways and shining a spotlight on talent that deserves to be heard, Aesthetica is the perfect home for this kind of innovation.”
Isabel Maria
Spotlighting fresh music across genres, the event will give audiences the opportunity to hear new voices, discover tomorrow’s stars and be part of shaping the future of UK music.
“Aesthetica has always been about discovery – about bringing new voices, stories and ideas to audiences,” says festival director Cherie Federico. “This is the only event of its kind in the UK: a film festival that also platforms the future of music. The New music Stage gives audiences the opportunity to discover tomorrow’s stars right here in York.
“It’s about creating a cultural hub where film and music collide, ensuring that artists have the chance to be heard on both a national and international scale.”
Jemma Johnson
BLANID
The line-up comprises:
BLÁNID: With a rich, storytelling voice that has graced BBC Radio 1 and RTÉ, BLÁNID has earned more than one million streams and toured the UK with folk legend Judy Collins. Her music blends grief, ecstasy and everything in between, marking her as a star in the making.
Jemma Johnson: This self-taught multi-instrumentalist is taking alternative pop to new heights, buoyed by BBC Radio 1 airplay, festival slots from Tramlines to MiCannes, and collaborations with major UK artists. Her live presence is nothing short of magnetic.
Crazy James: A rapper forging his own path through craft and consistency. Known for blistering flows and commanding live sets, he has turned grassroots energy into headline moments across London and beyond.
Kengo
Ewan Sim: Blending indie, pop, rock, and soul into songs of intimacy and power, Ewan Sim has sold out shows in Manchester and impressed audiences at SXSW London.
Daisy Gill: Liverpool’s retro-pop sensation brings powerhouse vocals and modern production. Her rare four-chair turn on The Voice UK and 10 million TikTok views testify that she is a rising star.
Dilettante: Francesca Pidgeon’s art-pop project delivers dazzling, groove-laden sets that have taken her from Manchester basements to SXSW and NXNE. Signed to EMI North and praised by Mojo and Uncut magazines, her sound is as inventive as it is infectious.
Tarian
Ewan Sim
Kengo: Songwriter and vocalist who channels honesty and lived experience into songs that bridge emotion and spirit, marked by lyrical depth and melodic sensitivity and addressing connection, healing and resilience.
Tarian: Welsh artist blending hip-hop with emotive pop and classical roots. Notching two million streams and a loyal TikTok following, Tarian is a genre-defying talent to watch.
Isabel Maria: At 19, Isabel Maria already has won major cultural awards and been celebrated by Rolling Stone magazine for her raw, alternative pop songwriting.
Pleasure Centre, from Scarborough
Pleasure Centre: Alt/art rock quintet from North Yorkshire coast conjures delicate melodies and euphoric walls of sound, inspired by shoegaze and Radiohead.
The New Music Pass (£21) gives audiences full access to all ten acts in one day. Enjoy free flow in and out of the York Theatre Royal: drop in for a set or immerse yourself from start to finish.
Audience members will have the chance to vote for their favourite act, playing a direct role in launching the UK’s next big star.
Dilettante
“This is more than a music stage,” says Cherie. “It’s an innovation in live music and festival programming, giving artists a national platform and audiences a front-row seat to the future of UK music. Don’t miss this chance to experience a festival within a festival, where creativity, performance and discovery collide.”
Universal Music A&R will be in attendance and Anglo-Italian singer songwriter Jack Savoretti will be on the jury.
Tickets and New Music Passes are available from York Theatre Royal on 01904 623568 or at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk. Hear more from the acts at https://www.asff.co.uk/music/
Jack Savoretti: On the New Music Stage judging panel. Picture: Paul Rhodes, Futuresound’s Live At York Museum Gardens , 2024
Aesthetica Short Film Festival director Cherie Federico
THE 15th Aesthetica Short Film Festival, York’s festival of storytelling, creativity and culture, will run from November 5 to 9 in a celebration of film, art and innovation.
The festival has become a transformative force for the creative industries in York, the UNESCO City of Media Arts. Over its 15-year history, the festival has grown from a niche celebration of short films into an internationally recognised event that drives economic, cultural and social impact across York, the North and the UK.
“Beyond screenings, Aesthetica shows us what we can achieve as a city and region, opening doors and creating opportunities for emerging and established creatives alike,” says festival founder and artistic director Cherie Federico. “It brings fresh perspectives, proving that world-class creative innovation does not have to be London-centric.
“By attracting filmmakers, musicians, media artists and industry professionals from around the globe, the festival creates a platform for collaboration, professional development and experimentation.
“It positions York as a hub for cutting-edge media arts, immersive experiences and industry-leading conversations, while championing the UK’s creative industries and nurturing bold new voices.”
Reflecting on 15 years of Aesthetica Short Film Festival, Cherie says: “The festival started 15 years ago as an idea to screen amazing talent in a city that had never had a film festival before. It was an incredible opportunity to break new ground.
“Over the years, it has grown into a globally recognised platform, attracting submissions from more than 80 countries and programming across film, animation, VR, games, podcasts and media arts.
“York itself has grown alongside the festival, evolving into an internationally visible hub for creativity. The festival now bridges traditional cinema with innovative storytelling, offering audiences and industry professionals alike a space to discover, collaborate and experiment.”
Picking the festival’s greatest achievement, Cherie says: “We’ve proved that something of this scale and ambition can thrive outside London. From York, a city traditionally celebrated for its heritage, rather than contemporary creative industries, Aesthetica has built a platform with real global reach.
“For 22 years, it has published and supported independent art and film through the Aesthetica Art Prize, curated programmes and festival screenings, connecting creators from around the world with audiences, industry and media.
“It opens doors to new perspectives and possibilities, showing the city – and the wider UK – what can be achieved with ambition, creativity and vision.”
Mark Kermode: Participating in Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2025 with a talk and a concert by his band Dodge Brothers. Picture: Julie Edwards Visuals
Cherie continues: “Launching initiatives such as the UK Film Production Summit, immersive media labs and national education strands demonstrates how Aesthetica embraces York as a place of innovation, bringing the world to the city, rather than expecting everyone to come to traditional hubs.
“The festival consistently champions bold, original voices, elevates independent arts and merges cultural, social, and economic impact, while showing that excellence in creative industries is not limited to London.”
Beyond being a film festival, the annual event continues to evolve its identity. “The festival has grown beyond a traditional film festival to celebrate all forms of screen and media arts,” highlights Cherie.
“With strands covering VR [virtual reality], gaming, podcasts, music and interactive media, the festival reflects the evolving landscape of storytelling. While a name change could emphasise this broader remit, the festival’s established brand carries heritage, international recognition and prestige. The programming itself now embodies the expansion, giving audiences a rich, multidisciplinary experience.”
Among the initiatives for 2025 is the Beyond The Frame strand of wider programming. “Our Fringe programme’s expansion into Beyond The Frame reflects the festival’s commitment to experimental, cross-disciplinary and interactive media,” says Cherie.
“Partnering with York Theatre Royal, it offers audiences immersive live experiences, combining performance, film and storytelling in innovative ways. Highlights include comedy from Sophie Duker, screenings from Silent Cinema, and special industry talks with Mark Kermode, among others.”
“Beyond The Frame demonstrates the festival’s ambition to push creative boundaries, attract diverse audiences, and provide a platform for both emerging talent and established international artists. It shows York what is possible creatively, blending heritage venues with cutting-edge programming and reinforcing the festival’s role in opening doors and offering new perspectives beyond London.”
This festival may have an international reach but it celebrates York’s identity too, being as much a festival for York and about York as it is a magnet for overseas talent and visitors.
“While the Aesthetica Film Festival has grown into a truly international platform – attracting submissions and participants from more than 60 countries – it remains deeply rooted in York,” says Cherie.
“Local schools, creative hubs and venues are central to the festival experience, ensuring it celebrates the city’s culture alongside global talent. Aesthetica shows York what it can achieve, opening doors to new opportunities and perspectives that are not London-centric.
“By connecting York-based creatives with international filmmakers, musicians, media artists and industry professionals, it provides exposure, networks, and inspiration that would otherwise be less accessible outside traditional industry hubs.”
Cherie continues: “Our initiatives such as Filmmaking in Schools, the New Music Stage, VR and Games Lab and the UNESCO City of Media Arts EXPO at the Guildhall ensure that local talent benefits from international engagement.
Aesthetica Short Film Festival: A hub of creative activity in York for five days each November. Picture: Jim Poyner Photography
“This dual identity strengthens community engagement, supports careers and demonstrates that world-class creative innovation can flourish anywhere in the UK, not just in London.”
Launching the UK Film Production Summit positions the festival at the heart of the British screen industry, says Cherie. “More than 100 production companies, commissioners and development executives – including BBC Films, Film4, Working Title, Warp Films, Paramount, Scott Free, and BFI – converge to tackle pressing industry questions, from AI and virtual production to the rise of streaming platforms.
Mark Herbert, CEO of Warp Films, will headline the summit, bringing with him the weight of critically acclaimed productions such as This Is England, Four Lions, and Adolescence.
“Landmark sessions such as The Future of Production: Scripted, Unscripted, Film, TV & Streaming demonstrate the festival’s strategic influence,” says Cherie. “Hosting the summit in York shows that the festival is no longer just a showcase for films. It’s a national platform shaping the future of UK production.”
Looking forward to Aesthetica 2025, Cherie says: “What I’m most excited to see is the seamless integration of new and traditional media across the programme, which reflects the festival’s forward-thinking approach to storytelling.
“The VR and Games Lab pushes the boundaries of immersive and interactive experiences, while the Podcasting strand embraces innovative audio narratives, and the New Music Stage highlights emerging talent and the crossover between sound, performance and media arts.
“Meanwhile, the expansion of Filmmaking in Schools demonstrates the festival’s ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation, equipping young people with the skills, confidence and opportunities to shape the future of creative industries.
“The UK Film Production Summit is another standout moment. Bringing together the country’s leading producers, commissioners and creative decision-makers in York is both inspiring and transformative.
“These conversations don’t just define what gets made; they influence how stories are told, who gets to tell them, and where creative opportunities can flourish.”
Summing up the ever-growing impact of the Aesthetica Film Festival, Cherie concludes: “The festival offers a dynamic, multi-dimensional experience that celebrates innovation, champions new voices and showcases the full scale, ambition and influence of Aesthetica, positioning York as a hub for creativity and a centre for the future of storytelling in the UK.”
The poster for Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2025
More questions for Cherie
What will happen on the New Music Stage?
“DUBBED by many as the UK’s version of SXSW (South By Southwest in Austin, Texas), the New Music Stage is a major innovation for the Aesthetica Film Festival, celebrating emerging musical talent while driving economic, cultural, and social impact for York, the North,and the UK,” says Cherie.
“The stage brings together acts championed by major tastemakers such as BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, RTÉ Radio 1, MOJO and Rolling Stone, offering national and international exposure to artists across genres.
Highlights include Irish singer-songwriter BLÁNID, who has graced RTÉ 1’s The Late Late Show and surpassed one million Spotify streams; Crazy James, celebrated by BBC Introducing; Daisy Gill, who followed her The Voice UK exposure with performances at Glastonbury and the Royal Albert Hall; Dilettante, praised by MOJO and featured at SXSW and The Great Escape, and Ewan Sim, showcased at SXSW London and featured on Spotify Fresh Finds.
Taking part too are Isabel Maria, BBC Introducing One-to-Watch and North East Culture Award winner; Jemma Johnson, whose alt-pop has featured on BBC Radio 1 and Radio X; Kengo, who has earned BBC Introducing support for her introspective hip-hop; Scarborough’s Pleasure Centre, celebrated for their immersive art-rock sound; and Tarian, praised by BBC Radio Wales with millions of listeners.
“By combining live performance with media innovation, the New Music Stage exemplifies the festival’s commitment to championing new voices, supporting creative industries, and positioning York as a vibrant hub for contemporary culture,” says Cherie.
The VR Lab: very much a reality at Aesthetica Short Film Festival
Why has the VR & Games Lab become so integral to ASFF’s expansion?
“Aesthetica is the only festival in the UK to include gaming as part of its public programme, making us a pioneer in showcasing interactive and immersive storytelling to general audiences,” says Cherie.
“As early adopters of VR technology, the festival has championed virtual reality and gaming as vital mediums for the future of storytelling, long before they became mainstream.”
In 2025, the Lab features more than 50 stations for immersive experiences, giving audiences hands-on opportunities to explore narrative innovation, interactive gameplay, and experimental media.
“It provides a space for collaboration, experimentation and learning, enabling developers, artists and audiences to engage directly with cutting-edge technology,” says Cherie.
“This strand reinforces the festival’s reputation as a thought-leader in creative innovation, demonstrating how film, VR and games intersect to push storytelling into bold new territories while engaging the public with emerging media in an accessible and inspiring way.”
Why has Aesthetica introduced the Podcasting strand for the 2025 festival?
“THE introduction of a Podcasting strand reflects the festival’s commitment to embracing different ways of telling stories, responding to the evolving landscape of narrative and media,” says Cherie.
“Aesthetica was the first UK film festival to include this dedicated strand, recognising that podcasts have become a major platform for storytelling, investigative journalism, audio drama and experimental sound art.
“By incorporating this medium, the festival supports creators in developing, showcasing and networking around audio storytelling, providing practical insight into production, distribution and audience engagement.
“This strand not only expands the festival’s creative scope beyond visual media but also celebrates the diversity of contemporary narrative forms, encouraging innovation and experimentation while offering audiences a rich, multi-sensory experience.”
You champion York’s status as a UNESCO City of Media Arts at every opportunity, hence its prominent involvement in the 2025 festival with the UNESCO City of Media Arts EXPO. Discuss…
“Running at the Guildhall from November 6 to 8, it brings together more than 40 creative businesses from film, TV, gaming, VR, design, publishing and interactive media, the EXPO showcases York and North Yorkshire’s role at the forefront of the UK’s creative industries.
“It highlights the economic, cultural, and social impact of the sector, while providing meaningful opportunities for young people and emerging talent.”
The EXPO features such innovative companies as York’s Viridian FX (visual effects for House Of The Dragon), Revolution Games (Broken Sword series), Orillo Productions (Netflix and Amazon Prime collaborations) and Beckview Studios (state-of-the-art recording studio).
Complementing the EXPO are Media Arts exhibitions at York Art Gallery and a vibrant Festival Fringe, turning the city into a living showcase of creativity and innovation.
How important is the Filmmaking in Schools strand?
“The Filmmaking in Schools programme has expanded significantly in 2025, offering workshops, mentorship and screenings for students across York and the wider region,” says Cherie.
“It introduces young people to technical skills, creative storytelling and professional pathways in film and media. This strand demonstrates the festival’s broader commitment to the next generation, ensuring that York’s designation as a UNESCO City of Media Arts is meaningful in practice, not just in title.
“By providing hands-on learning, professional mentorship and exposure to international standards, the programme helps students develop real-world skills, creative confidence and industry awareness.
“It opens doors to future careers in the creative industries, fostering the talent pipeline that underpins the UK’s cultural and economic growth. Through this initiative, Aesthetica not only inspires young people but also showcases how a city can leverage its creative credentials to deliver demonstrable opportunities, nurturing the next generation of filmmakers, media artists and storytellers.”
York Theatre Royal audience on day three of the Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2024
CELEBRATING its 15th anniversary, the Aesthetica Short Film Festival (ASFF) transforms York each November into a vibrant hub of culture and creativity next week.
Over five days, from November 5 to 9, and in a digital extension, from November 5 to 30, the city becomes a global meeting point for filmmakers, musicians, technologists and audiences.
Presenting more than 300 films screening across the city, including many Oscar and BAFTA-qualifying titles, the festival champions bold storytelling and new voices from around the world.
Yet Aesthetica’s reach extends far beyond cinema. Its VR & Games Lab, Podcasting Lounge, Aesthetica Fringe and Beyond the Frame events merge film, music, art, comedy and digital culture into one seamless celebration of creativity.
This year, audiences can expect Sophie Duker’s comedy night, film critic Mark Kermode in conversation, a silent cinema live-score performance and the debut of the New Music Stage: a full music festival within the festival, spotlighting ten breakthrough UK artists in partnership with Universal Music and Caffè Nero.
For York and the wider UK, Aesthetica is a cultural catalyst, connecting York venues, supporting artists, boosting tourism and shining a global light on Yorkshire’s thriving creative economy. Driven by the Aesthetica motto that “it’s only an idea away”, ASFF is proof of what culture and creativity do, opening doors, building communities and expanding how we see the world.
Dodge Brothers, featuring film critic Mark Kermode, second from right: Playing at Aesthetica Short Film Festival
Top Ten Things To Do
1. Film screenings
EXPERIENCE more than 300 shorts, features, documentaries, animations and experimental films from across the globe. Many of these titles are Oscar and BAFTA-qualifying, giving audiences a first look at the filmmakers of the future.
Attend the Makers’ Forum to hear from directors and producers, discover new cinematic voices and celebrate bold, thought-provoking storytelling that pushes boundaries and challenges perspectives.
2. VR & Games Lab
STEP into the future of storytelling. The VR & Games Lab invites audiences to explore cutting-edge works in virtual, augmented and mixed reality, plus innovative indie games. Engage with immersive environments, interactive narratives and demonstrations from the frontier of creative technology. Learn how artists are merging code, design and emotion to reinvent what it means to experience a story.
3. Masterclasses & Panels
AESTHETICA’S industry sessions feature icons and innovators from Ridley Scott Associates, Aardman, BBC, Film4 and Framestore. Gain insight into the craft and business of filmmaking, from production design and cinematography to pitching, funding and post-production.
Highlights include Behind the Scenes of Gladiator, Napoleon and Alien and Film4’s From Shorts to Features. Ideal for anyone serious about their creative career.
4. Workshops & Roundtables
GET hands-on with practical sessions designed for filmmakers, producers and writers. From screenwriting labs and pitching clinics to discussions on funding, diversity and distribution, these workshops provide actionable advice from professionals. The roundtable format encourages open dialogue and peer learning: the right space to test ideas, ask questions and gain valuable mentorship.
The Games Lab at the Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2025
5. Networking & Pitching
MEET producers, commissioners and collaborators at Aesthetica’s networking events and UK Film Production Summit, featuring more than 150 companies. Speed-pitching sessions and informal meet-ups give you a chance to share your ideas, find partners and make connections that could propel your next project forward. This is where creative relationships and future deals are born.
6. Parties & Socials
WHEN the lights go down, the city comes alive. Aesthetica’s parties are legendary: relaxed, welcoming spaces where creatives from film, music, gaming and art collide.
Whether you are winding down after a screening or celebrating a new collaboration, the festival’s social scene is where friendships form, ideas spark and stories continue long into the night.
7. Listening Pitch premieres
NOW in its fifth year, the Listening Pitch shines a spotlight on the future of audio documentary. Aesthetica has commissioned ten original documentaries through this pioneering programme, and this year marks the premiere of three new projects.
Previous commissions have gone on to screen at SXSW and Sundance and been acquired by The Guardian. This is the place to discover bold new documentary talent, with live presentations, audience Q&As and an atmosphere that celebrates the art of sound and story.
Comedian Sophie Duker: Celebrating female voices in the festival’s Beyond the Frame strand at York Theatre Royal
8. New Music Stage
FEATURING a line-up of some of the UK and Ireland’s most exciting emerging artists, the New Music Stage blends film and sound in thrilling ways. This year’s acts include BLÁNID, Crazy James, Daisy Gill, Dilettante, Ewan Sim, Isabel Maria, Jemma Johnson, Kengo, Pleasure Centre and Tarian: artists championed by BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, RTÉ Radio 1, MOJO and Rolling Stone.
With performances spanning Glastonbury, The Late Late Show, SXSW and The Great Escape, this new stage celebrates the shared rhythm of cinema and song.
9. Beyond the Frame
STEP beyond the screen and into live performance. Highlights include Sophie Duker & Friends, a comedy night celebrating female voices; Mark Kermode in conversation with Jenny Nelson on film music, and a Silent Cinema & Live Score by The Dodge Brothers with Neil Brand and Mark Kermode. These events blur the lines between film, performance and criticism – cinematic storytelling at its most alive.
10. Aesthetica Fringe
RUNNING city-wide, the Fringe transforms York into an open-air gallery. Expect art installations, theatre, DJ sets, exhibitions and surprise pop-ups across independent venues. The Fringe brings York and international artists together, inviting audiences to see the city through a creative lens in a celebration of community, experimentation and the energy that fuels York’s cultural heartbeat.
Aesthetica Short Film Festival invites you to “be part of the story”. “Whether you’re a filmmaker, musician, gamer or culture-lover, our 2025 festival is your invitation to experience creativity without limits,” says festival director Cherie Federico. “Join us in York and be part of a global conversation about the future of storytelling.”
For the full festival programme and tickets, go to: www.asff.co.uk.
UNESCO City of Media Arts EXPO: A showcase for York’s creative industries
THE inaugural UNESCO City of Media Arts EXPO – the first such exhibition in Great Britain – will celebrate the tenth anniversary of York’s global designation in the Guildhall from Thursday to Saturday.
Taking place within this week’s Aesthetica Short Film Festival, the EXPO is a “dynamic marketplace for innovation and cutting-edge ideas, showcasing the region’s thriving and growing creative sector by exhibiting the local organisations who are making a national and international impact.”
York is the only British UNESCO City of Media Arts, providing a global stage for film production, games development, VFX (visual effects), publishing and design.
The city’s creative industries are a major contributor to the local economy, driving job creation, tourism and investment, as will be highlighted in the EXPO, where entry is free to try out new projects, speak to creatives and see how York is to generating future opportunities in retail, hospitality, transport and services.
Cherie Federico, director of Aesthetica Short Film Festival, says: “The UNESCO City of Media Arts EXPO is one of the most exciting and enriching experiences to celebrate the UK’s creative industries.
“In our region, we are working on a global stage and the EXPO celebrates ten years of designation while also looking forward to how York can position itself as a national and international leader in the sector, creating jobs, driving inward investment and developing clear educational pathways.”
Sarah Loftus, managing director of collaboration partner Make It York, says: “The creative arts and culture sectors, along with ten years of UNESCO designation, are some of the many reasons that make York such a wonderful place to both live and visit. To be able to showcase this with the EXPO, in the centre of the city, is very exciting.”
Consider the facts: the creative industries contribute £109 billion pounds to the UK economy annually and employ 2.3 million people. York is a leader in that economy, as emphasised by its status as one of only 26 cities worldwide to be selected by UNESCO as a City of Media Arts, on a par with such influential locations as Austin, Texas, Sapporo, Japan, and Toronto, Canada.
Among York and North Yorkshire’s creative forces attending the EXPO will be Aesthetica; Art of Protest Gallery; Art Is My Career; Ay-Pe; Bright White; factual TV production company Button Down Productions; Creative Business Skills Academy; Last Maps Illustrations; film content production company Orillo Productions, Peel X; Pollen Studios; Pilot Theatre; Revolution Software; The Distance; visual effects specialist Viridian FX and XR Stories.
In addition to connecting filmmakers, developers and screen executives attending this week’s film festival with businesses that deliver the services they need, the EXPO will support the next generation of talent by showcasing educational pathways and career progressions.
Look out for the premiere of the latest commissioned work by Middleton-in-Teesdale environmental artist Steve Messam in the Guildhall courtyard. Known for his large-scale temporary installations that merge architecture and the natural environment – such as his permanent installation in Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery at the National Railway Museum and the Aesthetica Art Prize-nominated Portico on the front of York Art Gallery in 2022 – he has designed Lantern I as an exploration of space and interaction.
Through its intricate play with light, the new work featuring 180 metres of festoon lights will transform the historic Guildhall setting into an immersive and ethereal environment.
The BBC will be filming Messam at the EXPO, in a focus on heritage and contemporary art, ahead of his joint exhibition in China with sculptor Sir Tony Cragg.
Cherie Federico has been the driving force behind the Reignite series of events in York focused on nurturing the future of the city’s creative industries. The sixth edition, Reignite VI: Culture Makes Places, will take place during the festival and EXPO, when York will be full of local, national and international attendees.
Representatives from three UNESCO Cities of Media Arts – Braga (Portugal), Linz (Austria) and Oulu (Finland) – will share how they leverage culture to drive transformative change in their cities.
This forum will be a chance to discover how culture enhances economic development, creates jobs and offers skills and opportunities for young people, “fostering growth and innovation across the urban ecosystem”.
The event will be opened by David Skaith, Mayor of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, and addressed by Cherie. Presentations from each city will explore their unique approaches, followed by a panel discussion.
“I’ve been looking to raise the profile of the creative industries through the series of Reignite events, bringing all the different sectors together,” says Cherie. “We should use this UNESCO designation to elevate all of us, and with this year being the tenth anniversary of that designation we needed to celebrate that landmark and highlight the businesses of the future in York.
“That’s the purpose of the EXPO, where all are welcome to attend for free. To me, we should be focusing not on what there isn’t but what there is in York, and this is an opportunity for creative industries to make transformative changes.”
Cherie brings the positivity of New York – her home before settling in York 20 years ago – to her artistic pursuits. “If you beat yourself down, you’re going to be down. If you approach things with that mentality, you’re stuck in the past, but you have to give the creative industries the chance to rise because that attitude becomes infectious.
“People want things to change. This is a city that had nine million visitors in 2023; a city with history but modern culture too. We need to be living in a city that celebrates not just that cultural impact but the economic impact too because it boosts all sectors.”
Why will admission to the EXPO be free? “We want everyone in the city and beyond to be able to understand what it means to be a UNESCO City of Media Arts,” reasons Cherie. “This is the perfect time to highlight it, during an international film festival, when so many people will be coming to York already.”
For more details of the EXPO, head to: https://mediacityexpo.com/.
Aesthetica director Cherie Federico: Why UNESCO City of Media Arts status “positions York at the forefront of global creative discussions”
Cherie Federico
“YORK’S designation as a UNESCO City of Media Arts has profoundly impacted the city’s cultural and economic landscape, fostering a dynamic ecosystem where creativity, technology and education intersect.
“As an emerging sector, media arts is gaining momentum, creating pathways for future careers and educational opportunities. This designation not only attracts investment and talent but also positions York as a hub for digital innovation and creative industries, which benefits tourism, hospitality, retail and other sectors across the economy.
“Celebrating the tenth anniversary of York’s UNESCO designation marks a significant milestone, symbolising a decade of transformation driven by the media arts. Over these ten years, the designation has strengthened York’s global reputation, supporting local economic growth by driving job creation and developing crucial skills for the creative industries.
“The status encourages collaboration between cultural organisations, educational institutions and businesses, creating an environment where new ideas and projects can thrive. This collaborative culture is vital for retaining graduates and attracting skilled workers, making the city increasingly appealing to young talent and creatives from around the world.
“Additionally, the focus on media arts extends beyond economic impact, enhancing social cohesion and community involvement through cultural programming. Events, festivals and exhibitions celebrate new talent while promoting international collaboration, thus enriching York’s artistic landscape.
“The upcoming UNESCO City of Media Arts EXPO, part of Reignite VI: Culture Makes Places, exemplifies this commitment to cultural exchange. Held at the Guildhall, the EXPO will showcase cutting-edge exhibits from the creative industries, which celebrates the sector’s potential by exploring how media arts contributes to sustainable urban transformation.
“As the event coincides with the BAFTA-Qualifying Aesthetica Short Film Festival, it positions York at the forefront of global creative discussions, drawing attention to the city’s evolving cultural scene.
“As a regional city, York recognises the need to operate on a national and international level to maximise the benefits of its UNESCO status. With over eight million visitors annually, the city is well positioned to reach beyond its borders, leveraging its unique offer — a blend of historic charm and modern creativity.”
Underscoring this ambition, Cherie says: “The economic potential of the creative sector on our city is phenomenal, and everyone benefits.
“The tenth anniversary celebrations, including Reignite VI and the UNESCO City of Media Arts EXPO, are pivotal in showcasing how cultural programming can propel York’s ambitions forward, driving growth and innovation while fostering a sense of shared purpose and a forward-thinking city.
“By investing in media arts and embracing its UNESCO designation, York aims not only to maintain its status as a leading cultural destination but also to expand its influence globally, ensuring a prosperous and inclusive future for the city.
“These efforts will help York aspire to more than just a visitor destination, transforming it into a thriving centre for creativity, education and economic development that stands out on the world stage.”
Did you know?
IN 2023, the Aesthetica Short Film Festival welcomed more than 26,000 visitors, bringing a £2 million economic boost to York.
