ASFF - ASFF 2016

ASFF 2016 from 3 until 6 November, York, UK

The Aesthetica Short Film Festival returned for its sixth year, running 3 – 6 November in 18 distinct venues across York. This year’s festival screened 400 films as part of its Official Selection and presented a number of Showcase Screenings from leading cultural institutions. ASFF and the Northern Film School at Leeds Beckett University teamed up to present a new award for 2016, celebrating Best Screenplay in the Official Selection. New events included Morning Coffee at McGees – a place to discuss best practice – and the industry sessions such as Meet the Film Festivals returned by popular demand. More than 25 masterclasses with key speakers from the film world today offered essential advice and support for both emerging and established practitioners.

ASFF 2016 Official Selection & Programme

Take a look at ASFF’s 2016 Official Selection, rediscovering the festival’s exciting programme, with over 400 films from various genres.

ASFF 2016 Official Selection »

Events at ASFF 2016

This year’s schedule of events included an expanded programme of guest showcase screenings. See the events at ASFF 2016.

ASFF 2016 Events »

Masterclasses at ASFF 2016

ASFF’s expansive Masterclass programme returned with speakers from the BBC, Industrial Light & Magic, Jagex and many more.

ASFF 2016 Masterclasses »

Speakers at ASFF 2016

See the full list of industry professionals who shared their talent and experience in classes, panels and networking sessions at ASFF this year.

ASFF 2016 Speakers »

Meet the Film Festivals

ASFF hosts visiting delegates from film festivals the world over. Here is your opportunity to network with them and hear about their work.

ASFF 2016 Meet the Film Festivals »

ASFF Awards

Every film screened in the ASFF Official Selection is in the running for a number of festival awards, from Best in Category to Best Screenplay.

ASFF 2016 Awards »

This Year’s Award Winning Films

Robo-Trumble, John Wright (Advertising Winner)

Machine, Sunit Parekh-Gaihede, Hydralab (Animation Winner)

Solo Damas, Callum Hill (Artists' Film Winner)

90 Grad Nord, Detsky Graffam, K17 Films (Comedy Winner)

Lay Me Low, Marlene Millar, Migration (Dance Winner)

Irregulars, Fabio Palmieri, NotWorkingFilms (Documentary Winner, and Festival Winner)

Silence, Dejan Mrkic (Drama Winner)

Two Signs' Den – Epilogue, Bruno Decc, Filme Filmes (Experimental Winner)

Breaking Rules, Victor Claramunt, 3Tristesteasers & Ryu MEdia (Fashion Winner)

Beardyman - Mountainside, Lewis Rose, Unihill Productions (Music Video Winner)

Cork Man, Dawn Han (Thriller Winner)

Litterbugs, Peter Stanley-Ward, Treehouse Digital Ltd & Mighty Atom Entertainment Ltd (Youth Vote Winner)

Rhonna & Donna, Daina O. Pusic, Creative England / Dan Films (Northern Film School Award for Best Screenplay)

Dust & Resin, Stephen Parker, Manor Hill Productions & Chrome Productions (People's Choice Winner)

Irregulars, Fabio Palmieri, NotWorkingFilms (Documentary Winner, and Festival Winner)

Highlights from ASFF 2016

Feedback

York is a beautiful place and ASFF is a diverse, exciting and innovative festival. Congratulations on delivering such a great festival and I hope I get to come back next year!
Christine Morrow, Northern Ireland Screen

Many thanks for staging another great festival and inviting the Association of Camera Operators. Everyone at ASFF 2016 made us all feel most welcome. We all felt the session was a great success.
Philip Sindall, Association of Camera Operators

It was great to catch up with filmmakers and festival folks alike, for another great Aesthetica Short Film Festival
Philip Ilson, Artistic Director, London Short Film Festival

Thanks again to you and the team for an amazing festival experience. Hands down the best organised festival we have attended - so much love, passion and effort went into making it all possible; congratulations!
Dejan Mrkic, filmmaker, Silence

ASFF 2016 was an excellent festival in a most beautiful and conducive venue. It was very satisfying that your team were able to sell out my masterclass session, which went very smoothly and seemed to go down well.
Adam Gee, Channel 4

I just wanted to say a massive thank you for another fantastic year of Aesthetica! It was great to have our film selected and great to be able to visit a buzzing York.
Ismar Badzic, filmmaker, A Long Walk To Grimethorpe

Just wanted to say how brilliant this weekend was, we loved every minute of it. A totally new experience for us AND we couldn’t believe how beautiful York is and how friendly the people are. The festival was everywhere! Something for next year’s calendar already.
Leo Rytina, filmmaker, Claire’s Jigsaw

We still can't believe we won Best Drama. Blown away! I'll be spreading the word wide and far about what a well-run, fun, entertaining festival ASFF is!
Ben Cleary, Director of Stutterer

It was a pleasure to visit York and see so much of your festival. I got to speak with a lot of delegates and film-makers and viewed many shorts, some of which I hope we can programme at DIFF in 2016.
Sarah Ahern, Projects Manager, Dublin International Film Festival

We really enjoyed our stay in York and got to see some very high quality films. We would be delighted to come back next year and catch more of the programme. Congratulations on an incredible event.
Megan Nunn, Marketing Director, Screentest Festival

The programmes and parties were great! I’ve rarely seen such a well-attended, popular festival. It was also a real honour to win the York Youth Award. We’ll be back in force next year, hopefully with a couple more films!
Sam Johnson, Director of Billy the Kid

Thank you so much for including The Sand Storm, it was quite an honour to have my film appear with so many other fine works.
Jason Wishnow, Director of The Sand Storm

Congratulations on an amazing festival! ASFF was brilliant. I had such a good time, met some wonderful people and saw so much truly extraordinary work. I feel like I learned an extraordinary amount.
Alex Warren, Co-Director of Eleanor