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.”
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.
“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.”
Aesthetica Short Film Festival runs from November 5 to 9 and in a digital extension to November 30. For full details and tickets, go to: asff.co.uk. Find the festival trailer at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Z2zT1QRL9We3cyR5H1tdB0nyy6nmb-DE
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.”
