ORGANISERS of a major film festival taking place in York next month say the event has become a global phenomenon.
This year, delegates from more than 60 countries will attend the BAFTA-qualifying Aesthetica Film Festival (ASFF), which is celebrating its 15th anniversary.
The festival starts on Wednesday, November 5, running until Sunday, November 9, with an extended digital programme running until Sunday, November 30.
The event promises to turn York into an international hub for storytelling, creativity and innovation.
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Aesthetica Film Festival: York must embrace creativity
Delegates include people from as far away as Armenia, Brazil, China, Japan, Mexico and beyond.
Festival director Cherie Federico said: “Aesthetica represents the best of British creativity on a global platform.
“Over 15 years, we’ve built a festival that welcomes the world to York — where filmmakers, artists, musicians, and technologists from every continent come together to share their stories and shape the future of media.”
Aesthetica 2025 will screen more than 300 films spanning Animation, Drama, Documentary, Comedy, Dance, and Experimental categories.
Filmmakers and industry professionals will attend in person, offering audiences the opportunity to meet creators whose work reflects the diverse realities, voices, and visions shaping cinema today.
The festival’s international reach extends beyond film to include VR, gaming, music, and podcasting, demonstrating the interconnected future of global storytelling.
As part of the festival, the Grand is hosting the UK Film Production Summit, which will be headlined by Mark Herbert, CEO of Warp Films, one of the UK’s most important independent producers.
In addition, ASFF will extend beyond the screen into live performance, comedy, and conversation.
Highlights include Sophie Duker & Friends, a Silent Cinema with Live Score (featuring Mark Kermode & The Dodge Brothers), and the New Music Stage — a new festival within the festival showcasing ten breakthrough UK acts with Universal Music and Caffè Nero.
The festival also features the return of the VR & Games Lab. Billed as the UK’s only festival strand of its kind, it promises more than interactive experiences.
This expanded programme attracts global developers and creatives from across Europe, Asia, and North America, exploring the future of interactive storytelling.
Furthermore, The UNESCO City of Media Arts EXPO (November 6–8) will highlight York and North Yorkshire’s leadership in digital creativity, joined by international innovators in film, design, and VR.
Cherie Federico added: “The stories we share at Aesthetica remind us that creativity transcends borders. Federico. “This festival is about bringing people together - to listen, to connect, and to imagine a better world through art and film.”
For details and tickets, go to: www.asff.co.uk
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