Ten Things To Attend at this week’s Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2013 in York, as recommended by festival director Cherie Federico.


Opening Night City Screen, York, tonight, 7pm to 11pm.

Festival-goers are invited to join filmmakers, industry figures and VIP guests at the opening night of ASFF. Experience a taste of the filmmaking the weekend has in store with highlight screenings from the festival ahead. Guests will receive a complimentary drink and jam-packed VIP goody bag of treats with their ticket. An after-party complete with live music will follow.


Alice Lowe Masterclass: Screen Writing York Theatre Royal, tomorrow, 12 noon to 1pm.

Actress, writer and star of British TV comedies Black Books and Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace and popular British films Hot Fuzz and Kill List, Alice Lowe will discuss screenwriting techniques and provide insights into how performance can be used as a writing tool.


BAFTA Masterclass: Joakim Sundström on sound editing York Theatre Royal, tomorrow, 4pm to 5.30pm.

Filmmakers and cinema fans alike can catch BAFTA-nominated Joakim Sundström, sound editor on Filth, discussing his experience working on the Oscar and BAFTA-winning films Seven Psychopaths, Berberian Sound Studio and The Constant Gardener.

Sundström will be joined by a representative from BAFTA to deliver a masterclass focusing on principles of sound editing and design.


Meet the Filmmakers Yorkshire Museum, Saturday, 7pm to 11pm.

After a day of screenings, pop along to the Meet the Filmmakers event for a lively panel discussion, led by five of this year’s most exciting filmmakers. There will be the opportunity to ask the panel burning questions about their work, find out more about those involved in ASFF and mingle with filmmakers at the bar afterwards.


Special Screening: Screen Bandita Bedern Hall, Sunday, 4pm to 5pm.

Festival pass holders can enjoy a special screening from Screen Bandita while enjoying Bedern Hall, the 14th century building originally part of the College of Vicars. This live cinema event showcases found film that has been re-edited to tell a new story coupled with a live score, performed by Edinburgh Film Festival Programmer with two antique gramophones.


Special Screenings: Kuwait/ India/ Mexico Various venues throughout the weekend.

ASFF is hosting a selection of short fiction, documentary and animation film from guest countries Kuwait, India and Mexico at screenings throughout the festival. Highlights include To Rest In Peace, the true story of a Kuwaiti man struggling through the Iraqi invasion, and Friday Night, the Indian drama that follows three teenage girls whose evening takes an ominous turn when their rickshaw cab drops them off in the middle of nowhere.


Network at ASFF’s official bar 1331 throughout the weekend.

The 1331 bar and restaurants will be the place to relax between ASFF screenings and events and socialise with friends old and new. Festival-goers also are invited to join filmmakers and ASFF staff at the Friday night party. Tucked away inside 1331, in Grape Lane, is Brandy Brown’s Little Cinema, which will host comedy and drama screenings throughout the weekend.


Family Friendly Screenings Various venues throughout the weekend.

Catering for a younger generation of film-goers for the first time, ASFF’s family friendly films will provide enjoyment for children and parents alike. A carefully selected programme of drama and animation will be screened all weekend, with a family day pass for two adults and two children priced at £36. Highlights include the thrilling drama The Great Tuck Shop Robbery and the musical Indian animation Fulwanti And Slim-C.


Top Film Pick: Out Of Darkness King’s Manor throughout weekend.

Recommended by Mark Kermode on the BBC’s Culture Show, Manjinder Virk’s award-winning Out Of Darkness screens at the Grade 1 medieval building each day. A unique story told by nine different voices, the drama explores the haunting of a conscience by lost souls that will not let go. ASFF brings this outstanding short to York after its premiere at the BFI London Film Festival.


Closing Night Award Ceremony and After Party De Grey Rooms, Sunday, 7pm to 11pm.

Celebrate the end of a weekend of independent film as the festival culminates in style in the the De Grey Rooms’ Ballroom. Enjoy a free drink with your ticket and the opportunity to network with ASFF filmmakers and staff, before the winners of each genre, Best of Fest and, most importantly, the People’s Choice are announced and the coveted prizes are awarded.

• The Aesthetica Short Film Festival runs in York from today until Sunday. Visit the festival website, asff.co.uk, for more details and booking information.


Video: Chris Parker