Aesthetica in CE50

Aesthetica Short Film Festival has been selected for Creative England’s 2017 report, CE50, which highlights the top 50 creative businesses and individuals in England. The CE50 report recognises pioneers in the creative sector, as chosen by a panel of industry experts and is the latest accolade for the festival. The report comes at a pivotal moment for the UK, as we re-imagine our relationship with the rest of the world. The creative sector is crucial in making sure the UK’s future is a success.

ASFF is a major UK and BAFTA recognised short film festival, which was selected for CE50 for its ability to innovate and inspire creativity. Well-known for its bold programming, ASFF champions 11 genres of film, from drama, documentary and thriller to art, experimental and fashion – celebrating well established as well and new and fast-emerging categories.

The festival also provides significant opportunities for filmmakers in its Official Selection, who are eligible to be considered for a BAFTA. ASFF alumni have achieved Oscar and BAFTA awards – a testament to Aesthetica’s success in bringing exceptional films to audiences and supporting filmmakers at a crucial time in their career, as they expand their reach nationally and internationally.

The five-day event also hosts a dynamic series of industry-led masterclasses enabling practitioners to discuss and share best practice around key topics such as cinematography, performance, directing and design. Speakers have included representatives from Channel 4, the BBC and acclaimed VFX studio Industrial Light & Magic (Doctor Strange, Rogue One: A Star WarsStory and Spectre). In hosting these sessions, ASFF creates a place for the exchange of ideas and offering essential talent development and networking opportunities.

The inclusion in the report champions the Aesthetica brand as a whole, which is a powerhouse of innovative art. Aesthetica produces a leading bi-monthly magazine on art, design and photography. Launched in 2003, Aesthetica Magazine is now widely distributed through top retailer WHSmith in high street and travel stores and at major art galleries. In 2016 its USA distribution expanded to include an additional 110 stores, demonstrating its influence in the international art world. It has a global readership of 311,000 in print and digital.

As well as publishing the magazine, Aesthetica hosts two additional awards that, like ASFF, hold talent development at their core. These include the Aesthetica Art Prize and the Creative Writing Award. These prizes are important as they invite participation from today’s leading practitioners and bring their projects to a wider audience.

The Aesthetica Art Prize presents an annual exhibition, this year taking place 26 May – 10 September at York Art Gallery, and awards the winner with £5,000 courtesy of Hiscox as well as publication for the longlisted and shortlisted aritsts in the accompanying publication Future Now: 100 Contemporary Artists. Furthering its significance, the Art Prize now offers a two day conference – the Future Now Symposium, which sees artists, curators and art world professionals unite at York St John University to take part in talks, panel discussions and portfolio reviews.

ASFF is now open for entries. For entry requirements and to submit, visit www.asff.co.uk/submit

To find out about CE50 2017, visit www.creativeengland.co.uk

Credits
1. Bandaloop, Shift. ASFF 2016 Dance Category.