Ten of the UK and Ireland’s most significant emerging voices have been announced for the New Music Stage at the

Today, Aesthetica Film Festival announces its most expansive programme to date, with York set to become a meeting point for

At Aesthetica, the boundaries between creative disciplines have always been deliberately blurred, and in 2026, the Festival’s New Music Programme

As Aesthetica we pride ourselves on offering more than just screenings. Across the festival, an exciting programme of social events

Rachel Croft is an internationally recognised musician and multidisciplinary artist, known for her powerful vocals, cinematic songwriting and electrifying stage

Build relationships, seek out collaborations and make lasting memories. Our Networking and Pitching Sessions make up an essential part of

Creativity thrives when knowledge is shared. At Aesthetica, the programme is built around the belief that access to ideas, experience

There’s more than one way to tell a story. At Aesthetica Film Festival 2026, running 4-8 November in York, UK,

At the heart of the Aesthetica Film Festival is a simple belief: cinema is not only something we watch, but

What does it really mean to listen radically? To consider listening as a way of understanding people, places, their respective

We’re bringing the worlds of music and film together through a dedicated Music Programme designed to spark connection, collaboration and

Aesthetica’s Industry Programme brings together an inspiring line-up of masterclasses designed to give filmmakers practical insight, creative inspiration and valuable

For five days, York becomes a meeting point for filmmakers, audiences and ideas from around the world.

Aesthetica is a festival for everyone – and families are at its heart. From 4–8 November, York will transform into

Tickets and passes for Aesthetica Film Festival 2026 are available. Join us in York from 4-8 November. This year’s

Meet leading UK film industry at Pitching and 1:1 Sessions at Aesthetica Film Festival 2026. They offer a valuable opportunity

Last year, Aesthetica Film Festival broke new ground. The launch of the inaugural New Music Stage was a UK first,

Now in its sixth year, the Listening Pitch – commissioned by Aesthetica Film Festival and Audible – continues to assert

Daisy Gill is a singer-songwriter from Liverpool, whose signature blend of retro pop fuses infectious vintage sounds with contemporary influences.

“It’s deeper than lyrics.” Kengo is songwriter and vocalist who channels honesty and lived experience into music that bridges emotion

In an era dominated by constant scroll and shrinking attention spans, documentary has emerged as one of the most vital

In 2025, we launched the inaugural New Music Stage. The full-day event, presented in collaboration with TALENTBANQ, Caffé Nero and

We’re delighted to share that several films from our Official Selection have been longlisted for this year’s BAFTAs. This exciting

We are thrilled by the news that several films from our Official Selection have been shortlisted for the Oscars. This

Our collaboration with MPB, the UK’s leading camera reseller, has explored the deep relationships that filmmakers form with their equipment. MPB:

In the final film of our MPB: The Next Shot series, cinematographer and director Theo Tennant reflects on thepivotal role of his

Today, we bring you the latest short film in our MPB: The Next Shot series. The featured artist Xiona Li, a filmmaker

This November, here at Aesthetica, we broke new ground with the launch of our inaugural New Music Stage. It is

Here, at Aesthetica we celebrate creativity in all its forms, and earlier this November 2025 we closed out our 15th

Every camera tells a story, not just of what it sees, but of the people behind the lens. In the

We are thrilled to announce the recipients of this year’s Aesthetica Film Festival Awards, spotlighting outstanding storytelling across multiple genres. These

It’s the Final Day of the Festival! What an incredible five days it’s been, thank you for being part of

We are seeing in the festival weekend with the electric New Music Stage, showcasing 10 exciting, breakthrough artists. The winner will be decided by

We've reached the #ASFF2025 midpoint – and there's so much more to come! From inspiring industry masterclasses, VR workshops to film screenings from around

Day Two is here! A big thank you to everyone who took part in our opening day events yesterday. We

Aesthetica Film Festival 2025 has officially begun! Our 15th anniversary programme is the most expansive yet. Discover new events, industry masterclasses, over

How can a filmmaker's tools shape their creative trajectory? What does it mean to share this equipment with other practitioners?

The process of filmmaking is a dialogue - between a director and their team, a screenwriter and their vision, but

Join Industrial Light and Magic for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of Andor. VFX Supervisor Scott Pritchard will take

Wallace & Gromit. Morph. Shaun the Sheep. Feathers McGraw. Mrs Tweedy. Aardman is the multi-award-winning studio behind some of the world’s

When you think about British comedy, you’ll most likely imagine a BBC production. Some of the funniest programming of all

Visual effects enhance the storytelling process. The techniques of pre-vis, tech-vis and post-vis help solve creative and technical problems, produce

In 2025, The Guardian reported that almost a third of creative leaders were privately educated. Calling the Shots, meanwhile, found

Documentaries have a unique power: they invite us to see the world through someone else’s eyes, to walk in another’s

Taskmaster. Live at the Apollo. Mock the Week. Sophie Duker is no stranger to the biggest stages and comedy shows

Mark Kermode is Britain’s most celebrated film reviewer. He’s a BAFTA member, Observer columnist and recipient of the BFI’s Outstanding

The Dodge Brothers have been playing together for over two decades. The skiffle-blues band creates work that harks back to

Families are at the heart of Aesthetica Film Festival 2025, taking place from 5–9 November. York will transform into a

Join Britain’s best-known film critic, Mark Kermode, and award-winning radio producer Jenny Nelson for an unmissable evening of cinematic insight,

On 5 November, our new season of evening performances, Beyond the Frame, kicks off with Comedy Night: Sophie Duker &

Step beyond the cinema screen and into the city. This year, the Aesthetica Fringe transforms York into a hub of

Aesthetica Film Festival is internationally renowned as a place where creative minds meet. We are passionate about providing a platform

Today, we are excited to launch the official trailer for the 15th edition of the Aesthetica Film Festival, offering a

Our workshops are all about learning by doing. This year’s festival programme offers practical sessions designed to sharpen your skills

At Aesthetica, creativity is not a single act; it is a conversation - a meeting point where ideas, stories and

Each year, Aesthetica Film Festival brings the industry’s most exciting voices to York for a series of unmissable masterclasses. In

Experience a dazzling collision of classic cinema and live music as, on Thursday 6 November, skiffle band The Dodge Brothers (featuring film critic

What does the future of film look like? Technology is reshaping the way stories are told and shared, and, as

Step into a world of cinema, creativity and new ideas at the Aesthetica Film Festival 2025. Across five days in

300 Films. 15 Venues. 5 Days. Tickets are on sale now for the Aesthetica Film Festival 2025 – one of the UK's leading events for screen and

Share the story of your kit and feature in a global campaign celebrating creative sustainability. Reflect on how the tools

Aqsa Arif is an award-winning Scottish-Pakistani artist and filmmaker based in Glasgow. She uses film, printmaking, photography and poetry to

According to the United Nations, the global number of international migrants in 2024 was 304 million, a figure that has

Since its inception in 1994, Sheffield DocFest has grown from a regional gathering into one of the world’s most vital

In a landscape saturated with noise, the Listening Pitch has steadily emerged as a vital space for films that invite

We dig into the Film Library to share five urgent and powerful shorts that explore our relationship to nature.

The Aesthetica Games Lab is a space where leading innovators come together. Today, we are highlighting five brilliant games that have

The Listening Pitch is a documentary film grant run by Aesthetica and Audible. Two grants of up to £10,000 are available to fund

Everyone has a particular children’s television programme that they hold close to their heart. Bagpuss, Danger Mouse, Scooby-Doo, Paddington, The

Over the past 15 years of, we've been lucky enough to showcase some of the most exciting, innovative and talented

With Awards Season drawing to a close, we have been delighted to see Aesthetica Alumni being celebrated. Today we are

We are thrilled to share that several films from this year’s Official Selection have been shortlisted for the Oscars. This is

We are delighted to announce the recipients of this year's Aesthetica Film Festival Awards, spotlighting outstanding storytelling across multiple genres. These

Thank you for joining us at this year's Aesthetica Short Film Festival. We hope you've had a wonderful time and

We're welcoming the festival weekend with a roundup of amazing screenings, masterclasses, socials, immersive experiences and more. Be part of

We hope you've made some wonderful memories and experienced amazing stories now we've reached the #ASFF2024 midpoint – and there's more to come! Learn more

Got your plans sorted for #ASFF2024 day 2? Today's newsletter is filled with festival inspo, from must-attend masterclasses to useful

#ASFF2024 has officially begun! We are kicking off the festival with a roundup of today's top 10 events taking place across York. Discover

The 68th BFI London Film Festival has just drawn to a close with an impressive mix of movies and masterclasses. Opening with the world premiere of Steve McQueen’s World War 2-era

Comedy. Drama. Documentary. And much more. The #ASFF2024 programme is packed with great projects from filmmakers around the world. Discover

Today, we are proud to share with you a selection of film festivals from across the UK that feature a

London Film Festival returns with a lineup of amazing artists films in the Experimenta programme. Today, we are bringing you

Ridley Scott Associates is a renowned commercial production company established by famous directors Ridley and Tony Scott. They have produced award-winning,

The Pirate Queen beckons you on an epic journey. Produced by Singer Studio, this Emmy-nominated VR game invites players to

Amid sweltering temperatures, this year’s Venice Film Festival paraded some high-wattage A-List stars on the red carpet and saw Pedro

Today, we are proud to present a roundup of amazing achievements from filmmakers and game developers who have been a

Looking to pursue a career in gaming? Want to learn more about AI generators? Look no further! This year, we're

Today's Filmmaker Spotlight interview is with Jesse Vogelaar, director of #ASFF2023 Official Selection comedy Room For One More. The hilarious

Tickets and passes for #ASFF2024 are now on sale! Aesthetica is all about bringing people together. That’s why we’ve included

A tickly cough. That's all it takes to derail Minster for Environment Fiona Lacey - played by Maxine Peake -

How do we repair ourselves, even when we can't be fully mended? How do we reconnect with our sense of

Today, we’re spreading the joy with some fantastic news from our #AestheticaAlumni! This is your rundown of some of their

Jo Smyth is an editor, director and writer who creates female-led stories that tackle challenging subjects, from sexual violence to

Today, we're taking a trip down masterclass memory lane in preparation for the release of the 2024 Programme. Over the

How do you face your fears? This is a question young Vanja learns to answer in Marita Mayer's award-winning short

It's time to spotlight all of the wonderful things our #ASFFAlumni have been getting up to! Here are all of

Desta: The Memories Between was a highlight from of our first-ever Games Lab! Here, players follow the titular protagonist as

Multi award-winning documentarian Duncan Cowles will premiere his first feature-length project at Sheffield DocFest this summer. The film is called

This year’s Cannes Film Festival has just drawn to a close, with the 2024 Palme d’Or being awarded to American

June is Pride Month! This is a time when people all over the world come together to celebrate LGBTQIA+ voices.

Cardiff Animation Festival (CAF) celebrates the diverse beauty of animation. Established in 2018, the event has grown into a highlight

The Listening Pitch is a cinematic exploration of the unheard. For the past four years, Aesthetica and Audible have come

Strap in for a trip down memory lane! Today we’re cruising back through the amazing drama shorts that have won

Plunge into the depths of Fallen London, the Gothic world of mystery and shadow created by Failbetter Games. We were thrilled to

An Ode to Procrastination is Aleksandra Kingo’s tribute to the struggle faced by many creatives. The idea stemmed from personal

Paper Trail is a top-down puzzle adventure that follows the journey of young Paige, an astrophysicist in the making. We

We dig into the Film Library to share five thought-provoking films that explore our relationship nature.

Queer East returns for its fifth year with a programme of spectacular films. Established in 2020, the festival was born

Comedy can emerge from experiences humans go through every day, whether they are as mundane as the humdrum of a

Great documentaries are driven by people and the stories that only they can share. It’s a privilege to gain such

Games have the power to whisk us away to new worlds. It’s an important aspect of interactive media and what pulls

People behind the camera shape the stories we see on screen. Diverse points of view enrich cinema. Today, we share with you women and

We are thrilled to bring you film festivals to look forward to in April and May. Are you looking for

Yasmin Afifi is a London-based director/writer whose short Jellyfish and Lobster won the Best British Short Award at this year's

We're proud to share with you these incredible filmmakers who have shared powerful and poignant projects at Aesthetica, such as

Today we are thrilled to bring you a selection of hilarious comedies to keep you entertained. These are five brilliant

Gorka is the directorial debut of filmmaker Joe Weiland. The short was part of the BFI London Film Festival’s official

BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival is the world’s most significant and long-standing queer film event in the LGBTQIA+ calendar. It returns to

In January, the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative released their Inclusion in the Director’s Chair report, analysing 1,700 top films from

Literature and film have long worked together for a timeless connection. From classic novels to modern stories, filmmakers are known

BAFTA-winning developers State of Play took part in our inaugural Games Lab with their beautiful title, South of the Circle. Here

For the last two decades, Shorts TV has been at the forefront of screening the best of shorts to audiences

Our journey continues with bigger and bolder ideas to celebrate screen-based storytelling. We strive to create the best festival experience with

What was Aesthetica’s staring point? How has the festival evolved over time? Where next? Learn more as we take you

What can we hear when we truly listen? In a world where we are surrounded by a cacophony of sounds,

The 74th Berlin Film Festival marked the outgoing edition for artistic director Carlo Chatrian, who will be replaced next year

Aesthetica screens powerful films from talented filmmakers. Many of these rising stars have gone on to receive major accolades, like

Looking for your next evening or weekend watch? Get inspired with these five films from across our festival genres.

BAFTA is one of the world’s largest celebrations of global excellence in film. Since 2020, Aesthetica has had 16 films that have been either nominated or

Ustwo is a London-based studio that borrow from real experiences to create interactive stories with a personal touch.

The documentary remains one of the most fascinating forms a film can take, opening up a window onto lives or

With major new film releases scheduled for the Spring, there’s plenty of reason to hunker down in your nearest cinema

With winter upon us, what better way to light the fires of creative inspiration than delving into the ASFF library?

We are proud to present this round-up of animation, documentary and live action titles shortlisted for awards at this year's

A new year brings with it a raft of new film events where filmmakers both known and unknown can present

Animation holds a special place in our hearts at the Aesthetica Short Film Festival. Join us as we take a

From its very beginnings, Aesthetica Short Film Festival has embraced artists and filmmakers that work in the field of experimental

As the 12th edition of ASFF draws to a close, we are delighted to announce this year’s winners.

Thank you for joining us at this year's Aesthetica Film Festival. We hope you're enjoying it! It might be the

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

It's Friday already but ASFF2023 is just beginning! The Festival continues with insightful workshops, moving films and super masterclasses from

What will you do today? To help you decide, we're sharing highlights for Thursday 9 November: Masterclasses, Screenings, VR Lab, Games

ASFF2023 has officially begun! We are kicking off the festival with a roundup of today’s top gaming experiences, masterclass sessions

The possibilities of 360° film are endless. That's why we are thrilled to introduce you to brilliant, immersive worlds in our

At Aesthetica, we’ve welcomed some incredibly talented filmmakers who used the discipline of short films to tell some captivating thrillers.

We are proud that our festival is bringing in a selection of world-class guest speakers who have years of expertise

Enjoy the festival and build your network at ASFF 2023. Make the most of your time in York and connect

Need help navigating the industry? ASFF offers masterclasses, networking sessions and socials to learn about filmmaking and finding your place

Our festival welcomes a world-class selection of guest speakers who have expertise in disciplines that can enrich films. Join ASFF2023

Do you want to make documentaries? ASFF 2023 brings you professionals from the industry who will share tips for the

The creative process of making a film becomes richer when various disciplines come together. Besides a selection of guest speakers

Ridley Scott Associates are globally renowned for creative excellence. This year, they host three amazing masterclasses at Aesthetica.

We are excited to welcome guest speakers from Aardmam, Framestore, Viridian FX and more to share their insights into animation

We welcome world-class speakers to share their expertise across the production process. Here are five insightful production masterclasses.

Interactive media invites players into stories, enabling us to experience them like never before. Learn more with these five VR

Aesthetica is jam-packed with incredible stories. We are thrilled to present five strands that address timely issues and big questions.

After meeting at Guildford School of Acting, Ross White and Tom Berkeley forged a filmmaking partnership and founded Floodlight Pictures. Their debut short Roy,

Games connect creativity with technology by transporting us into stories. Today, we share 10 titles to look forward to from our Games

We are thrilled to be launching our first-ever Games Lab this year. Learn about our selected games, inspiring talks and

It’s all change at this year’s BFI London Film Festival. After the departure of Tricia Tuttle, this year sees the

Aesthetica Film Festival celebrates all forms of creativity. We bring a wide selection of incredible work across various genres, from witty comedies to

Hugh Clegg is a London-based documentary and fiction filmmaker. A graduate of the National Film and Television School, he’s already

ASFF takes you on an adventure across York with a selection of venues that mix historic and contemporary architecture. From City Screen

The Aesthetica Short Film Festival is one of the UK's largest cinematic events of the year, running from 8-12 November. With over

Whatever your taste in cinema, this autumn there are plenty of live events to sink your teeth into. From the

As the summer turns into September, there’s plenty of diverse and different films to keep you entertained that are arriving

Krystal Lowe is a choreographer, dancer and filmmaker. Her debut short Daughters of the Sea, is a retelling of Welsh

The 80th Venice Film Festival is upon us, with the jury – led by La La Land director Damien Chazelle

Jessi Gutch is a BAFTA Elevate Producer and BIFA-nominated writer, who is behind a series of celebrated shorts, both narrative

The Edinburgh International Film Festival is back. The scaled-down “special one-year edition” will run for six days, and the hope

Since 2008, Vimeo has handpicked the greatest and most creative new videos on the internet by awarding coveted Staff Picks.

Jenny Wright is an animator based in London. After graduating with an MA in Character Animation from Central Saint Martins,

To mark the 10th anniversary, we dive into the archives to share 5 films from their past ASFF guest programmes.

This year's festival brings together films from around the world, exploring individual and collective stories.

This year's festival brings together films from around the world, exploring individual and collective stories.

Peter Weir's feature remains a remarkably resonant prediction of reality as it is now perceived.

Aesthetica Film Festival and Audible have teamed up for The Listening Pitch 2023. We announce the two winning projects, 'Banana'

Here are five shorts from the ASFF Film library that explore relationships, intimacy and coming-of-age tales.

This year's festival brings together films from around the world, exploring individual and collective stories.

We speak to 'Three Day Millionaire' director and ASFF alumnus Jack Spring about navigating the film industry.

The 76th edition of Cannes shares its impressive line-up. We take a closer look at this year's programme.

We talk to the ASFF alumnus about developing her animation style for diverse stories on personal struggles.

LGBTQ+ arts and film festival Queer East returns to London this April. We select five compelling films to catch.

21 projects from across the globe, including six films, navigate identity, technology and nature in new ways.

We focus on five films from ASFF alumni that are screening at Glasgow Short Film Festival this year.  

Here is a guide to where you can find some of our favourite films from our alumni, including SXSW and

'The Clearing' director reveals more about his experiences marking his beautifully crafted short animation.

We pick 5 films that played at the festival, and are destined to be talked about in the months to

Asif Kapadia's latest non-fiction film has an apocalyptic sheen, drawing on Mary Shelley’s 'Frankenstein' through dance.

Here are 5 nominated films to look out for, including previous ASFF Best of the Festival winner 'Hanging On'.

Canon launches a short film competition dedicated to the power of storytelling.Stories are powerful. Studies suggest that facts become around

We speak to director and star Jessica Henwick about her BAFTA-nominated short, which follows an aspiring chef.

Here are 5 music videos from previous editions of ASFF that are guaranteed to make your heart go boom.

When a long-divorced couple meet after 10 years, recrimina­tions about their past begin to seep out.

A donkey travels through modern-day Europe in this poignant, picaresque tale from director Jerzy Skolimowski.

Laura Poitras mixes archive materials, voiceover interviews and original footage to tell Nan Goldin’s story.

The 2023 film festival season is underway. Here are 5 to attend, plus what to expect from the line ups.

This year's edition celebrates 20 years of radical programming, with retrospectives, events and screenings.

This year is off to a great start in the cinemas. We highlight five diverse films to brighten up your

This year has been brilliant for ASFF alumni. We celebrate some achievements, plus look to 2023.

Mark Jenkin's 'Enys Men' taps into a love of folk horror to deliver a unique tribute to Cornwall and its

Nathalie Álvarez Mesén’s first feature is a study of sexual awakening that combines magic and mundanity.

This illuminating work looks at the influence of 'The Wizard of Oz' on one of modern cinema's greats.

ASFF alumnus Jan Gadermann's graduation film 'Laika & Nemo' tells a touching story of friendship.

We select five brilliant wintery shorts from our collection for you to enjoy, ranging from fashion to animation.

We speak to ASFF alumnus Victoria Fiore about her BIFA-nominated documentary feature 'Hide & Seek'.

ASFF 2022 masterclasses featured an amazing array of guest speakers from across the film industry.

Events across the nation celebrate four decades of diverse and inclusive programming from Channel 4.

As the 12th edition of ASFF draws to a close, we are delighted to announce this year’s winners.

The finale day brings our sixth strand, The Present Was Their Idea of the Future, and the awards ceremony.

Today brings a VFX masterclass with Framestore’s Stuart Penn and the opening of our Kids' workshops.

Today’s 10 to See includes screenwriter Tony Schumacher’s masterclass and the VR and 360 Soirée.

Day three brings a talk with director Philip Barantini plus a compelling programme of East African Stories.

Day two brings us an array of cinematic treats, including talks from composer Jim Williams.

We preview today's top events, including the prestigious Opening Night Ceremony.

We highlight four films by ASFF 2022 guest speakers to stream ahead of this year's masterclasses.

Cinema is always evolving. This season, festivals and exhibitions look to the past, present and future of film.

We preview five essential watches from the 66th BFI London Film Festival – all with ASFF connections.

We highlight 5 stimulating ASFF alumni screenings and talks on offer this season.

We've teamed up with StreetLife Project for a new artwork commission in the heart of York.

Sally Potter makes yet another triumphant exploration of the human psyche.

This year's illuminating programme champions non-fiction film, including projects with links to Aesthetica.

The Venice International Film Festival returns with a host of premieres, including work from a previous ASFF guest.

'Flux Gourmet' continues to pin Peter Strickland as a purveyor of the wild and weird, centring on a culinary collective.

Here are five must-see features and shorts from ASFF alumni that are screening at this year's edition of EIFF.

This summer’s exciting programme at Picturehouse cinemas includes guest Q&As and Aesthetica’s very own film club.

What makes a good movie poster? We dig into the ASFF film library to analyse five shorts with captivating artwork.

The 2020 Aesthetica Art Prize features an array films that disrupt the status quo, from personal tales to futuristic journeys.

Here are five animations from previous editions of the festival. They use a mixture of drawing and painting techniques.

Jacqueline Lentzou's debut feature-length film tells the story of Artemis, an only child who must shoulder a family burden.

We speak with Duncan Cowles, a BAFTA Scotland Award-winning documentary filmmaker whose work has screened at Aesthetica.

All4 is is the UK's biggest free streaming service. Aesthetica Official Selection shorts are amongst its outstanding lineup.

Aesthetica alumnus Eitan Pitigliani is back with a new, cathartic short – inspired by events in his own life.

June means Pride Month, as people all over the world come together to celebrate LGBTQ+ voices.

Aesthetica Film Festival has teamed up with York Theatre Royal to present a Season of Independent Film.

Roxy Rezvany is an Aesthetica alumnus who is part of a new showcase of British East and Southeast Asian film.

We’re always delighted to see our filmmakers go on to achieve further awards success.

We speak to Ayo Akingbade about Jitterbug, the latest in a series of shorts that explore social housing and gentrification.

22 March marks World Water Day. Here are five short films exploring its impact on us as humans.

We highlight five shorts from the Aesthetica film library for International Women’s Day 2022.

Miguel Faus intends to turn his Aesthetica short into a feature, financing production through NFTs.

Alice Seabright’s new BBC1 drama Chloe is a masterfully controlled, on-a-knife-edge thriller set in the world of social media.

"Film gives voice to the silenced, helping build the empathy needed to effect change," says Farah Nabulsi, whose film The

We speak exclusively to British director Prano-Bailey Bond about short films and her acclaimed feature debut.