THE Aesthetica Short Film Festival is looking for new film-making talent from across the world to take part in the York festival's biggest event yet.

Entries are open for the fifth year of the BAFTA Qualifying ASFF, which will take place from November 5 to 8 in a showcase for contemporary cinema in 15 screening venues.

"The festival is a great opportunity for filmmakers at all stages in their career to reach a wider audience and showcase their talent to industry, fellow filmmakers and thousands of film fans," says director Cherie Federico.

"We're proud that Chris Hees, Daisy Jacobs and Jennifer Majka's The Bigger Picture, which screened at our 2014 festival, has since won the 2015 BAFTA for British Short Animation, and we're now looking for new submissions for ASFF 2015.

"We welcome short films up to 30 minutes long by emerging and established filmmakers from around the world in categories that include advertising, animation, artists’ film, comedy, dance, documentary, drama, experimental, fashion, music video and thriller."

Last November’s festival programme comprised more than 300 films from 40 countries worldwide, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Switzerland, France, Germany and Britain.

The four-day event featured UK premieres as well as award-winning films and shorts from brands such as Vivienne Westwood, Swarovski, Louis Vuitton, Karen Millen, Triwa watches and Hub Footwear and attracted 18,000 visitor admissions.

Those visitors travelled from as far as the USA, Brazil, Australia and Japan, as well as from across Britain, including 2,000 students from schools, colleges and universities nationwide.

ASFF is an ambassador for film culture in the UK, promoting a collaborative relationship between film professionals through its industry activities.

Each festival, filmmakers are invited to connect with key personalities from the sector through masterclasses, workshops and question-and-answer sessions.

Among the organisations that attended last autumn were BAFTA, Channel 4, the Association of Camera Operators, Ridley Scott Associates and independent record label Beggars Group, providing tips and advice to filmmakers on how to draw attention to their films.

Prizes include screenings at the next ASFF; awards for Best Film in each category and the People’s Choice; eligibility to enter the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA); screenings in guest programmes at other film festivals; and inclusion in the ASFF Film Tour.

"There are also several networking opportunities during the festival to meet influential figures from the film, fashion, music and art industries and build essential contacts lists," says Cherie.

Looking forward to the search for new filmmaking talent for the fifth anniversary festival, she adds: "Over the past four years, we've had the great privilege of screening truly exceptional films to new audiences, and I'm delighted that through ASFF we're able to connect filmmakers with industry in support of their development. With BAFTA behind us, we're really excited for the fifth instalment and want to encourage all filmmakers to enter and be a part of one of the UK’s most exciting short film festivals.”

For more information and submission guidelines, visit www.asff.co.uk. The deadline for entries is May 31 2015, and remember, keep it short.