It’s the Final Day of the Festival! What an incredible five days it’s been, thank you for being part of the UK’s largest event celebrating screen and media! As we wrap up an inspiring week of creativity, connection and innovation, we still have a fantastic line-up of screenings, workshops, and networking opportunities for you to enjoy on this final day. Take a look at today’s top picks and make the most of everything still on offer with your festival pass. Full Programme here.

Today’s Spotlight Genre: Documentary

Finish your festival experience with insightful and moving true stories as part of our documentary Official Selection films. Our programme features brand new short and feature-length films that navigate themes of identity, dreams and resistance. These films offer audiences new perspectives and challenge us to look beyond our own experiences.
Valid festival pass is required. Seating is first-come, first-served.

Check out the programme to explore the full Official Selection »

Daily Networking Session:
Last Chance Encounters 
La Bottega | 12:00-13:30

As the festival wraps up after an exciting week of screenings and events, Last Chance Encounters offers a final opportunity to connect with fellow filmmakers, creatives and industry professionals. Hosted in partnership with La Bottega, this relaxed networking session is the perfect space to share ideas, discuss projects, and forge lasting relationships across film, television and XR. Reflect on your best bits from the festival and look forward to the future.  

*Please note, pre-booking for networking is essential due to capacity.

To book your place, click here »

Games Lab 
National Centre for Early Music 
5-8 November 10:00-21:30 | 9 November 10:00-18:30 

Arcade games, puzzles, deck builders, point-and-click adventures, simulators, RPGs and much more. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or completely new to the world of interactive storytelling, this is your chance to pick up a controller and get involved with a truly genre-defying collection of titles, designed by the best new indie developers. One-hour slots run throughout each day of the festival. Free with valid festival pass; advance booking recommended.

To book your place, click here »

Kids’ Workshops
York St John Creative Centre | 10:00-16:00

Inspire your children at Aesthetica Film Festival 2025 with our fantastic family friendly programme. We believe in nurturing children’s creativity. Across the festival weekend, we offer 7-14 year- olds the opportunity to develop, direct and make their own stop-motion animations, games and live action films. Workshops are delivered in partnership with Grand Central Trains, and are led by experts at Hijinx, Pauline Quirke Academy and ComputerXplorers. 

Each workshop £12 or book Kids’ Day + Workshop Pass £35 »

Aesthetica Fringe Events
5-9 November | Venues Across York

The Aesthetica Fringe is a citywide celebration of emerging creativity across all art forms. From live music and comedy to exhibitions, installations and performance, it’s about making York a cultural playground. These are artist-led events, created, planned and performed by creatives in the city. York is a UNESCO City of Media Arts, and the Fringe embodies this status by activating galleries, venues and building public spaces with diverse work and creativity.

Podcasting Lounge
City Screen Basement 
5-8 November 10:00-21:30 | 9 November 10:00-18:30

The Podcasting Lounge is brand new for 2025 and is a UK film festival first. Join us at City Screen Basement to sit down and listen to immersive stories. Listen in on conversations between street rats in New York City and unravel the truth behind UFOs. Or dive deep into the human condition: a lone villager living on the border of Armenia and Turkey, a go-to repair man in Cape Town, or the story of a father arriving in the UK from Jamaica in 1962. Hear the world like never before. One-hour slots run throughout each day of the festival. Free with pass; advance booking recommended.

To book your place, click here »

VR Lab
National Centre for Early Music  
5-8 November 10:00 – 21:30 | 9 November 10:00 – 18:30

The potential of 360° cinema knows no bounds. These immersive formats transport audiences straight into the heart of the story. Now in its seventh year, our 360° Cinema and Immersive Experiences Lab – proudly supported by UAL’s London College of Communication – returns to push the boundaries of storytelling. The selection includes documentaries, animation and narratives where every decision matters. Free with pass; advance booking recommended.

To book your one-hour slot, click here »

Film Poster Exhibition  
City Screen | 5-9 November

We are thrilled to bring back the Film Poster Exhibition for the third year running. This year’s show-stopping display features 50 pieces from our Official Selection. All of the filmmakers involved in the festival were invited to submit their poster for selection. A panel from the Aesthetica Magazine team then made their selection of winners, which is now on display for visitors to the film festival to enjoy. Tag us with #ASFF2025FilmPosters & let us know your favourites.

Special Event:
Awards Ceremony & After Party 
Yorkshire Museum | 16:30-19:00
Dusk | 19:00-23:00

To bring our 15th edition to a close, we welcome filmmakers, delegates and audiences to join our Awards Ceremony. Prizes are awarded for the best film in each of our genres, as well as our, Best of Fest and Special Guest Awards. It’s a moment to recognise the bold storytelling, and talent that have defined this year’s festival and the community that makes it all possible. Join us for drinks and an After Party, taking place at Dusk for a celebration of achievements. *Please note, pre-booking for networking is essential due to capacity.

To book your place, click here »

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Be part of Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2025, from Wednesday 5 November until Sunday 9 November. Tickets and Passes On Sale! Get Yours Today: asff.co.uk | Browse the Programme

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