York’s largest cultural event of the year returns with the 12th edition of the Aesthetica Short Film Festival.
It will take place at 15 central venues across York from Tuesday 1 to Sunday 6 November, with a digital platform showcasing a selection of recorded films, events and virtual sessions live until Wednesday 30 November.
This year’s festival hosts over 300 official selection films, industry masterclasses, virtual reality (VR) experiences and evening events.
Money-off for York Residents
This year, Aesthetica introduces York Days, which offers York residents the opportunity to save 50% on Select Festival dates.
With a valid York Card, residents can access unlimited screenings and exclusive premieres showcasing the best new talent in the world of independent cinema.
Experience immersive technologies with the VR and Interactive Media Lab and attend award-winning masterclasses and workshops – with sessions for adults and children hosted by the film industry’s most creative representatives, including Film4, BBC and Aardman.
The 2022 screening programme includes over 300 films in a range of genres, including comedy, drama, animation, documentary, thriller and family friendly.
Discover the extensive range of genres and screenings available, specially curated by talented industry professionals, and enjoy the best of independent film.
The programme also includes feature-length narratives and documentaries, guest programmes from Queer East, We Are Parable and Directors Notes, as well as virtual reality experiences – where you can truly immerse yourself in storytelling.
There is also a selection of special events, which provide a series of networking and social opportunities across the week – and the chance to pitch to the industry’s leading representatives.
Join industry giants such as Canon, Sky Studios, BBC Film, Film 4 and Film Hub North and attend masterclasses including virtual production, casting, film scoring, cinematography and scripting.
Take part in workshops and engage with the latest in filmmaking production, from developing conceptual ideas and screenwriting to camera technologies, virtual production and augmented reality.
New to the festival this year are a series of workshops where you can learn how to work with the world’s newest and most immersive technologies.
Inspire your children with workshops for young people, where they can learn the skills and techniques of film production and develop a lifelong love of film. Free with a Festival Pass.
Aesthetica is also pleased to introduce the Fringe. They’re working in partnership with Street Life Hub to bring you ASFF’s first fringe event, Unite. Create. Transform – a group exhibition that looks at the here and now.
Visit a selection of works from award-winning contemporary artists and be introduced to new places, new cultures and themes from our rapidly changing world.
Be at the forefront of new sounds with a sound installation premiere from Jin Chia Ching Ho, in partnership with Audible and London College of Communication.
Or take a tour through the historic streets with the York Dungeon Walking Tours, where Dungeon Jester and Smedley show little peasants and their families York’s haunted past, with plenty of fun and laughs along the way.
There are a range of ticket options available for live, virtual or hybrid viewing experiences. To find out more, visit the Aesthetica Short Film Festival website.