THE Aesthetica Short Film Festival in York will still be short in 2017, but longer.

"I am pleased to say that ASFF 2017 will now be five days long," says director Cherie Federico. "This is due to popular demand and to ensure that everyone who attends in November has the opportunity to see as many films as possible.

"We anticipate screening the same number of films – 400 – but we'll be having more question-and-answer sessions with filmmakers before and after screenings, as well as bringing showcase events from leading organisations across the UK, including the London Film School and screen agencies such as Creative England."

More networking events will take place and a daily panel discussion with filmmakers will be held at City Screen, in Coney Street, each morning to kick off the day. "Masterclasses will take place throughout the festival and there's an opportunity for attendees to live, breath and experience as much film as possible," says Cherie. "More will be announced in the coming months."

Now in its seventh year, the 2017 Aesthetica Short Film Festival will run from November 8 to 12, the "short" not referring to the length of the festival but to the length of the films that will be shown in all manner of locations across York. The festival carries BAFTA Qualifying status, making it even more appealing to burgeoning film-making talent.