Festival News .
Stay in the know about the festival. Read exciting updates and interviews with our alumni.
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ASFF 2023: Winners Announcement
As the 12th edition of ASFF draws to a close, we are delighted to announce this year’s winners.
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ASFF 2023: Day Five
Thank you for joining us at this year's Aesthetica Film Festival. We hope you're enjoying it! It might be the
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ASFF 2023: Day Four
Kick off your festival weekend with our run-down of today's must-attend events – from editing masterclasses to thought-provoking screenings. Today’s Film
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ASFF 2023: Day Three
It's Friday already but ASFF2023 is just beginning! The Festival continues with insightful workshops, moving films and super masterclasses from
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ASFF2023: Day Two
What will you do today? To help you decide, we're sharing highlights for Thursday 9 November: Masterclasses, Screenings, VR Lab, Games
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ASFF2023: Day One
ASFF2023 has officially begun! We are kicking off the festival with a roundup of today’s top gaming experiences, masterclass sessions
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5 New Worlds to Explore in Our VR Lab
The possibilities of 360° film are endless. That's why we are thrilled to introduce you to brilliant, immersive worlds in our
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5 Thrillers From the ASFF Short Film Library
At Aesthetica, we’ve welcomed some incredibly talented filmmakers who used the discipline of short films to tell some captivating thrillers.
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ASFF 2023: Hear from Key Directors, Editors and Producers
We are proud that our festival is bringing in a selection of world-class guest speakers who have years of expertise
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ASFF 2023: Social Events and Parties
Enjoy the festival and build your network at ASFF 2023. Make the most of your time in York and connect
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ASFF 2023: Your Guide to the World of Filmmaking
Need help navigating the industry? ASFF offers masterclasses, networking sessions and socials to learn about filmmaking and finding your place
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ASFF 2023: Unlock the Potential of Words and Sounds
Our festival welcomes a world-class selection of guest speakers who have expertise in disciplines that can enrich films. Join ASFF2023
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ASFF 2023: Eye-Opening Documentary Masterclasses
Do you want to make documentaries? ASFF 2023 brings you professionals from the industry who will share tips for the
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ASFF 2023: Inspiring Artists’ Film Masterclasses
The creative process of making a film becomes richer when various disciplines come together. Besides a selection of guest speakers
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ASFF 2023: Ridley Scott Associates is Coming to Aesthetica
Ridley Scott Associates are globally renowned for creative excellence. This year, they host three amazing masterclasses at Aesthetica.
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ASFF 2023: Animation and VFX Masterclasses
We are excited to welcome guest speakers from Aardmam, Framestore, Viridian FX and more to share their insights into animation
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ASFF 2023: Production Masterclasses
We welcome world-class speakers to share their expertise across the production process. Here are five insightful production masterclasses.
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ASFF 2023: VR & Games Masterclasses
Interactive media invites players into stories, enabling us to experience them like never before. Learn more with these five VR
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Introducing This Year’s Festival Strands
Aesthetica is jam-packed with incredible stories. We are thrilled to present five strands that address timely issues and big questions.
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Filmmaker Focus: Ross White and Tom Berkeley
After meeting at Guildford School of Acting, Ross White and Tom Berkeley forged a filmmaking partnership and founded Floodlight Pictures. Their debut short Roy,
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10 Brand-New Games to Play at this Year’s Festival
Games connect creativity with technology by transporting us into stories. Today, we share 10 titles to look forward to from our Games
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ASFF 2023: Announcing Our First-Ever Games Lab
We are thrilled to be launching our first-ever Games Lab this year. Learn about our selected games, inspiring talks and
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5 To See: BFI London Film Festival 2023
It’s all change at this year’s BFI London Film Festival. After the departure of Tricia Tuttle, this year sees the
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ASFF 2023: Our Genres
Aesthetica Film Festival celebrates all forms of creativity. We bring a wide selection of incredible work across various genres, from witty comedies to
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Filmmaker Focus: Hugh Clegg
Hugh Clegg is a London-based documentary and fiction filmmaker. A graduate of the National Film and Television School, he’s already
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ASFF 2023: Our Venues
ASFF takes you on an adventure across York with a selection of venues that mix historic and contemporary architecture. From City Screen
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ASFF 2023: 5 Things To Look Forward To
The Aesthetica Short Film Festival is one of the UK's largest cinematic events of the year, running from 8-12 November. With over
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Film Events This Autumn
Whatever your taste in cinema, this autumn there are plenty of live events to sink your teeth into. From the
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5 Films To Watch This Season
As the summer turns into September, there’s plenty of diverse and different films to keep you entertained that are arriving
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Filmmaker Focus: Krystal S. Lowe
Krystal Lowe is a choreographer, dancer and filmmaker. Her debut short Daughters of the Sea, is a retelling of Welsh
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5 Films To See: Venice Film Festival 2023
The 80th Venice Film Festival is upon us, with the jury – led by La La Land director Damien Chazelle
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Filmmaker Focus: Jessi Gutch
Jessi Gutch is a BAFTA Elevate Producer and BIFA-nominated writer, who is behind a series of celebrated shorts, both narrative
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5 Films to See: Edinburgh International Film Festival 2023
The Edinburgh International Film Festival is back. The scaled-down “special one-year edition” will run for six days, and the hope
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Celebrating 15 Years of Vimeo Staff Picks
Since 2008, Vimeo has handpicked the greatest and most creative new videos on the internet by awarding coveted Staff Picks.
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Filmmaker Focus: Jenny Wright
Jenny Wright is an animator based in London. After graduating with an MA in Character Animation from Central Saint Martins,
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Celebrating 10 Years of We Are Parable
To mark the 10th anniversary, we dive into the archives to share 5 films from their past ASFF guest programmes.
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On the Big Screen: 5 Films for Summer
This year's festival brings together films from around the world, exploring individual and collective stories.
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5 Film Events to Attend this Summer
This year's festival brings together films from around the world, exploring individual and collective stories.
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The Truman Show at 25
Peter Weir's feature remains a remarkably resonant prediction of reality as it is now perceived.
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2023 Listening Pitch:
Winners AnnouncedAesthetica Film Festival and Audible have teamed up for The Listening Pitch 2023. We announce the two winning projects, 'Banana'
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Pride 2023: Recommended Films from Aesthetica’s Film Library
Here are five shorts from the ASFF Film library that explore relationships, intimacy and coming-of-age tales.
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5 Films to See: Sheffield DocFest 2023
This year's festival brings together films from around the world, exploring individual and collective stories.
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Filmmaker Focus: Jack Spring
We speak to 'Three Day Millionaire' director and ASFF alumnus Jack Spring about navigating the film industry.
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Preview: Cannes Film Festival 2023
The 76th edition of Cannes shares its impressive line-up. We take a closer look at this year's programme.
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Review: Love According to Dalva
Director Emmanuelle Nicot strikes a delicate balancing act of sensibilities in their debut feature.
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Review: Cairo Conspiracy
Tarik Saleh's film is an absorbing blend of political intrigue and religious insight.
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5 Films for Earth Day
We dig into the Film Library to share five thought-provoking films that explore our relationship nature.
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Filmmaker Focus: Hannah Jacobs
We talk to the ASFF alumnus about developing her animation style for diverse stories on personal struggles.
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5 Films To See: Queer East
LGBTQ+ arts and film festival Queer East returns to London this April. We select five compelling films to catch.
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Innovative Artists’ Film: Aesthetica Art Prize 2023 Exhibition
21 projects from across the globe, including six films, navigate identity, technology and nature in new ways.
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Glasgow Film Festival: 5 Alumni Films
We focus on five films from ASFF alumni that are screening at Glasgow Short Film Festival this year.
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Spring Viewing: ASFF Alumni Films
Here is a guide to where you can find some of our favourite films from our alumni, including SXSW and
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Filmmaker Focus: Daniel Hope
'The Clearing' director reveals more about his experiences marking his beautifully crafted short animation.
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5 Films to Know: Berlin Film Festival
We pick 5 films that played at the festival, and are destined to be talked about in the months to
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Radical Movements: Creature Review
Asif Kapadia's latest non-fiction film has an apocalyptic sheen, drawing on Mary Shelley’s 'Frankenstein' through dance.
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5 to See: Sony Future Filmmaker Awards 2023
Here are 5 nominated films to look out for, including previous ASFF Best of the Festival winner 'Hanging On'.
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Canon: Stories in Motion
Canon launches a short film competition dedicated to the power of storytelling.Stories are powerful. Studies suggest that facts become around
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Filmmaker Focus: Jessica Henwick
We speak to director and star Jessica Henwick about her BAFTA-nominated short, which follows an aspiring chef.
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The Soundtrack of Love: 5 ASFF Music Videos
Here are 5 music videos from previous editions of ASFF that are guaranteed to make your heart go boom.
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Review: She is Love
When a long-divorced couple meet after 10 years, recriminations about their past begin to seep out.
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Review: EO
A donkey travels through modern-day Europe in this poignant, picaresque tale from director Jerzy Skolimowski.
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Review: All The Beauty and the Bloodshed
Laura Poitras mixes archive materials, voiceover interviews and original footage to tell Nan Goldin’s story.
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5 Film Festivals to Attend this Season
The 2023 film festival season is underway. Here are 5 to attend, plus what to expect from the line ups.
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ASFF Alumni:
London Short Film Festival 2023This year's edition celebrates 20 years of radical programming, with retrospectives, events and screenings.
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5 Films To Kick Off 2023
This year is off to a great start in the cinemas. We highlight five diverse films to brighten up your
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A Year in Film: ASFF Alumni
This year has been brilliant for ASFF alumni. We celebrate some achievements, plus look to 2023.
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Review: Enys Men
Mark Jenkin's 'Enys Men' taps into a love of folk horror to deliver a unique tribute to Cornwall and its
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Review: Clara Sola
Nathalie Álvarez Mesén’s first feature is a study of sexual awakening that combines magic and mundanity.
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Review: Lynch/Oz
This illuminating work looks at the influence of 'The Wizard of Oz' on one of modern cinema's greats.
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Filmmaker Focus: Jan Gadermann
ASFF alumnus Jan Gadermann's graduation film 'Laika & Nemo' tells a touching story of friendship.
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5 ASFF Films for Winter
We select five brilliant wintery shorts from our collection for you to enjoy, ranging from fashion to animation.
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Filmmaker Focus: Victoria Fiore
We speak to ASFF alumnus Victoria Fiore about her BIFA-nominated documentary feature 'Hide & Seek'.
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ASFF 2022:
5 Masterclasses To StreamASFF 2022 masterclasses featured an amazing array of guest speakers from across the film industry.
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Celebrating Channel 4 at 40
Events across the nation celebrate four decades of diverse and inclusive programming from Channel 4.
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ASFF 2022:
Winners AnnouncementAs the 12th edition of ASFF draws to a close, we are delighted to announce this year’s winners.
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ASFF 2022: Day Six
The finale day brings our sixth strand, The Present Was Their Idea of the Future, and the awards ceremony.
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ASFF 2022: Day Five
Today brings a VFX masterclass with Framestore’s Stuart Penn and the opening of our Kids' workshops.
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ASFF 2022: Day Four
Today’s 10 to See includes screenwriter Tony Schumacher’s masterclass and the VR and 360 Soirée.
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ASFF 2022: Day Three
Day three brings a talk with director Philip Barantini plus a compelling programme of East African Stories.
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ASFF 2022: Day Two
Day two brings us an array of cinematic treats, including talks from composer Jim Williams.
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Watchlist: ASFF 2022 Guest Speaker Films
We highlight four films by ASFF 2022 guest speakers to stream ahead of this year's masterclasses.
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5 Autumn Film Events
Cinema is always evolving. This season, festivals and exhibitions look to the past, present and future of film.
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Immersive Storytelling:
BFI London Film Festival 2022We preview five essential watches from the 66th BFI London Film Festival – all with ASFF connections.
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A Season of Indie Cinema
We highlight 5 stimulating ASFF alumni screenings and talks on offer this season.
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Open for Proposals:
Changing Rooms Commission 2022We've teamed up with StreetLife Project for a new artwork commission in the heart of York.
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Look at Me: A New Short from Sally Potter
Sally Potter makes yet another triumphant exploration of the human psyche.
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Compelling Non-Fiction: Open City Documentary Festival 2022
This year's illuminating programme champions non-fiction film, including projects with links to Aesthetica.
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International Cinema: Venice International Film Festival
The Venice International Film Festival returns with a host of premieres, including work from a previous ASFF guest.
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Culinary Delights: Flux Gourmet
'Flux Gourmet' continues to pin Peter Strickland as a purveyor of the wild and weird, centring on a culinary collective.
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Aesthetica Alumni: Edinburgh International Film Festival 2022
Here are five must-see features and shorts from ASFF alumni that are screening at this year's edition of EIFF.
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Independent Cinema Focus: Summer at Picturehouse
This summer’s exciting programme at Picturehouse cinemas includes guest Q&As and Aesthetica’s very own film club.
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Striking Film Posters: ASFF Dramas
What makes a good movie poster? We dig into the ASFF film library to analyse five shorts with captivating artwork.
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Groundbreaking Artists’ Film
The 2020 Aesthetica Art Prize features an array films that disrupt the status quo, from personal tales to futuristic journeys.
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Powerful Short Animation: 5 to Watch
Here are five animations from previous editions of the festival. They use a mixture of drawing and painting techniques.
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Shorts to Features
Jacqueline Lentzou's debut feature-length film tells the story of Artemis, an only child who must shoulder a family burden.
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The Art of Documentary
We speak with Duncan Cowles, a BAFTA Scotland Award-winning documentary filmmaker whose work has screened at Aesthetica.
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Now Streaming: Aesthetica Shorts on All4
All4 is is the UK's biggest free streaming service. Aesthetica Official Selection shorts are amongst its outstanding lineup.
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Personal Filmmaking
Aesthetica alumnus Eitan Pitigliani is back with a new, cathartic short – inspired by events in his own life.
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Short Films to Watch: Pride Month
June means Pride Month, as people all over the world come together to celebrate LGBTQ+ voices.
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Join our Film Club: Season of Cinema
Aesthetica Film Festival has teamed up with York Theatre Royal to present a Season of Independent Film.
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Documenting Relationships
Roxy Rezvany is an Aesthetica alumnus who is part of a new showcase of British East and Southeast Asian film.
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Aesthetica Filmmakers: Oscars and BAFTAs 2022
We’re always delighted to see our filmmakers go on to achieve further awards success.
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Authentic Storytelling
We speak to Ayo Akingbade about Jitterbug, the latest in a series of shorts that explore social housing and gentrification.
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Ocean Tales: Films for World Water Day
22 March marks World Water Day. Here are five short films exploring its impact on us as humans.
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Empowering Narratives: International Women’s Day
We highlight five shorts from the Aesthetica film library for International Women’s Day 2022.
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Digital Revolution: Funding a Feature with NFTs
Miguel Faus intends to turn his Aesthetica short into a feature, financing production through NFTs.
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Alice Seabright’s New Series on BBC One
Alice Seabright’s new BBC1 drama Chloe is a masterfully controlled, on-a-knife-edge thriller set in the world of social media.
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Now on Netflix: A BAFTA-Winning Short from Aesthetica
"Film gives voice to the silenced, helping build the empathy needed to effect change," says Farah Nabulsi, whose film The
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A Rising Director
We speak exclusively to British director Prano-Bailey Bond about short films and her acclaimed feature debut.