AS part of this week’s Aesthetica Short Film Festival in York, an installation of more than 200 films on touch screens is being shown at the York Explore library.

The Playback interactive exhibition of short films by new talent is touring nationally until March 2018 with support from Channel 4’s Random Acts and Arts Council England and includes Pippa Young’s artist film Goathland, filmed on the North York Moors, and a dance film, Business Is Brutal, by York-born choreographer Jack Thomson.

Running in York until November 19, this celebration of the work of new and emerging filmmakers from across England features films that “capture and reflect on today’s world” in categories such as drama, comedy, dance and spoken word. Exhibition visitors can pick the films they want to view on individual touch screens and can select by category.

York Press:

Pippa Young’s Goathland, filmed on the North York Moors

The short films were all created by 16 to 24-year-olds, often with no previous experience in film making, after a nationwide open call. Many of those selected have since embarked on careers within the film, fashion and music industry and in the art world, in keeping with Channel 4’s Random Acts and Arts Council England’s aim to develop young talent for the arts and creative industries.

Among the Yorkshire filmmakers are Jack Benjamin Gill, who presents A Life Hereafter, an enigmatic vampire film with a haunting soundtrack; the aforementioned Jack Thomson’s Business Is Brutal and Pippa Young’s absurdist and colourful film Goathland, already screened at international film festivals.

Artist and filmmaker Lara Smithson’s abstract short about senses, Ilklar Mooar, creates a place between digital imagery and painting by playing on colour and form against the contours of rural Yorkshire. The camera acts as an eye into these painted worlds as she merges brushstrokes with the landscape of Ilkley Moor.

Other Yorkshire filmmakers include Jack Staveley, from Doncaster, whose stylish and visceral film The Fall delves into the murky world of underground boxing, while Oliver Cowton’s Portrait combines a gripping narrative with portrait painting. Both Jack and Oliver have now begun careers in the film industry.

York Press:

The Fall, by Jack Staveley

“Playback draws on the positives of a culture that is increasingly dominated by images and a generation that is highly literate in digital media and film,” says Playback tour manager Corinne Orton. “Young people are often criticised for spending too much time on their phones or screens, but Playback allows young people from all walks of life and backgrounds, to communicate and express their ideas and creativity through the medium of film.”

Playback’s films can be seen at York Explore until November 19; 9am to 8pm, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; 10am to 6pm, both Fridays; 9am to 5pm, both Saturdays; 11am to 4pm, both Sundays.

Did you know?

Playback develops talent by offering film education, training and production support to 16 to 24-year-olds to make their short films. Participating filmmakers do not need to have any experience, only a great idea and a clear creative vision.

By 2018, 360 films will have been made and screened to audiences nationwide. The films range from 90 seconds to three minutes in length.