We’re delighted to share that several films from our Official Selection have been longlisted for this year’s BAFTAs. This exciting milestone speaks to the exceptional talent and creative ambition showcased at Aesthetica Film Festival. The four films, all screened at our 2025 edition, are pushing the medium forward and capturing stories that feel urgent and resonant today. We’re immensely proud to see these filmmakers receive such well-earned recognition.

Brain Space | Dir. Laura Tofarides

Official Selection 2025 | Animation

Propelled into her own mind, Rhi explores the thoughts, fears and impulses that shape our internal world. When her inner child is threatened by the shadows of her own trauma, her fear turns to anger and she must fight back to regain control. From desperation to acceptance, she learns to choose life.

The Pearl Comb, dir. Ali Cook

Official Selection 2025 | Thriller

In 1893, a doctor, hell bent on proving that a woman’s place is in the home and not practising medicine, is sent to investigate a woman who claims to be the first person to cure tuberculosis.

Ovary-Acting | Dir. Ida Melum

Official Selection 2025 | Animation

While stuck at her sister’s baby shower a thirty-something woman is forced to decide whether she wants to have kids or not after unexpectedly giving birth to her reproductive organs.

Two Black Boys in Paradise | Dir. Baz Sells

Official Selection 2025 | Animation

Eden (19) and Dula (18) are two Black boys on a journey of self-acceptance. Their love for each other, and their refusal to hide it, lands them in a paradise free from shame and judgement. Based on the poem by Dean Atta.

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