An amazing array of talent and some incredible movies come to York this week for The Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2012. Hannah Clugston picks out some highlights
With the Aesthetica office full of DVDs, programmes, posters, plans, maps, signs and nearly 300 Kit-Kats it can only mean one thing: the Aesthetica Short Film Festival (ASFF) is back again. Returning to York for our second year, ASFF 2012 is a celebration of the very best in emerging and established film today.
Featuring 200 films from over 25 different countries, and hosting 11 masterclasses from industry experts (BAFTA, Channel 4, Raindance, Warp Films), ASFF is sure to offer something for everyone to enjoy.
Now that the team have just about decided on their various glitzy outfits, the opening night launches on Thursday, November 8. Taking over City Screen, everyone from screenwriters to gallery curators will gather together to view the special opening night screenings and generally appreciate just how great short film really is. The next morning’s festival festivities begin at 10am, and Friday plays host to the variety of masterclasses on offer.
The masterclasses begin with Barry Ryan, head of production at Warp Films. Ryan has worked on the immensely popular This is England, and he joins us to give advice on how to get ahead in the industry.
Another highlight will be BAFTA’s Danny Cohen, cinematographer on The King’s Speech and The Boat That Rocked, speaking on his creative process.
Meanwhile Matt Greenhalgh (Control and Nowhere Boy) directs screenwriting, Chris Thomas (Raindance) dishes out his filmmaking tips, Tabitha Jackson (Channel 4’s commissioning editor for arts) examines how television and art interact and Chris Jones (director of London Screenwriters’ festival) comments on how to get your production moving.
Accompanying these inspiring presentations will be a special selection of short films from the BAFTA, Warp Films and Yorkshire Film archives, screened across the festival. The BAFTA-nominated short films are produced by some of the most talented British Filmmakers working today.
This unique presentation of eight films includes this year’s BAFTA winners, Pitch Black Heist and A Morning Stroll. Now synonymous with independent film, Warp Films also showcases six short films that capture the essence of life today.
Amongst the big names of the festival will be the 200 outstanding short films screened at 15 different venues across York. Using venues such as Mansion House, the Guildhall, City Screen, Bar Lane Studios and 1331, to name just a few, the boutiques, bars and historical buildings of York will be alight with cinematic experience.
And if the films aren’t enough, there is chance to meet the filmmakers and hear the stories and journeys behind their films at Meet The Filmmakers on Saturday evening. In honour of these fantastic creatives, Sunday evening rounds of the events with the Awards Ceremony where we name the very best films of ASFF 2012.
Referred to by Jay Arnold, head of film culture at Creative England, as “one of the most exciting new film events to emerge in recent years”, ASFF really is an innovative film festival.
We look forward to meeting you!
- The Aesthetica Short Film Festival runs from Thursday, November 8 to Sunday, November 11
- To find out more and buy tickets go to the ASFF website