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.
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.
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.