FOUR days, 15 venues, 300 films, the 2014 Aesthetica Short Film Festival will linger long in the memory.

The "short" is not a reference to the length of last week's festival in York, but a description of the films that range from comedy and drama to family friendly; music video to animation; thriller to documentary; and experimental to artists' film, although in truth it was a tad difficult to distinguish between the last two.

Then add two new categories, fashion and advertising, the most ubiquitous short films of our times, plus special spotlights on Lebanese, French, Iraq and short films from emerging filmmakers from outside London, plus masterclasses, Meet the Filmmakers and Meet the Film Festivals sessions and parties galore, and this is a festival that works perfectly and puts York on the international map.

You watch the films in themed strands lasting between 60 and 90 minutes, and the cumulative effect is tapas cinema, a little of everything adding up to a satisfying whole. Director Cherie Federico and her ever-enthusiastic team run the event with bonhomie and brisk efficiency and each venue plays its part, be it the backroom of According To McGee, fitted out with seating by the Futon Shop, or the Great Hall of Treasurer's House; a lecture hall at King's Manor or the multiple choice of screens for experimental and artists' films at the New School House Gallery.

Please don't tell everyone, as it seats only 26, but is there a more pleasurable cinematic experience in York right now than sinking back into a dark armchair in Brandy Brown's attic cinema at 1331?

The festival drew to a close on an effervescent Sunday night at another delightful location, the grand ballroom of the De Grey Rooms, where According To McGee co-director Greg McGee, dressed in his Seventies bingo caller best, hosted the awards ceremony with his customary eloquence. Irishman Alan Holly's hopeful yet wistful Coda was the Festival Winner, also taking home the Best Animation prize, while Kathryn MacCorgarry Gray's The Wolf, The Ship And The Little Green Bag was the People's Choice.

Roll on 2015 and plans for an even bigger event to mark ASFF's fifth anniversary.