There’s more than one way to tell a story. Aesthetica Film Festival 2026, running 4-8 November in York, UK, is dedicated to celebrating storytelling in all its forms, from traditional big-screen cinema to audio podcasts, immersive virtual reality experiences and playable video games. This year’s edition is responding to how, in recent times, film and interactive media have come together in a big way, with titles like The Last of Us, Fallout and Halo getting their own series. Here is a rundown of what’s on across this year’s Labs:
Games Lab | National Centre for Early Music, 4-8 November
This November, Aesthetica’s Games Lab returns to York’s National Centre for Early Music with a curated selection of 50 indie titles to play. We are celebrating gaming as an integral part of contemporary screen culture – a space where storytelling becomes interactive and players take control of the narrative. There is something for everyone here, with titles for both adults and children to enjoy across PC, console, VR and mobile. Some games speak to pertinent human issues, tackling themes such as grief, Alzheimer’s disease and identity. Others offer an escape through striking visuals and addictive gameplay loops. The range of genres is vast, including card-based titles, diorama-builders, mini-golf, narrative adventures, puzzles, 2D platformers and more. Free with festival pass, pre-registration recommended.
VR & Immersive Experiences Lab | National Centre for Early Music, 4-8 November
Aesthetica Film Festival has been championing 360° cinema for eight years through the through its groundbreaking VR & Immersive Experiences Lab. For 2026, we invite audiences to National Centre for Early Music, where attendees can put on a headset and step into an array of real-life locations and fantastical environments. From paper worlds, cube landscapes and paintings, to a small town in North Wales and the abandoned city of Pripyat, the 2026 Official Selection encourages you to see things from a different perspective. These films use virtual reality to tackle some of the biggest issues of our times, including the realities of climate change and rising sea levels, the impact of generative AI, and how it feels to be a woman walking home at night. Free with festival pass, pre-registration recommended.
Podcasting Lounge | City Screen Basement, 4-8 November
Podcasts are booming. Listenership in the UK has been increasing year on year, reaching an estimated 15.5 million listeners in 2025. At Aesthetica, you can discover the country’s first dedicated Podcasting Lounge at a Film Festival – an innovative space where audio storytelling takes centre stage. Taking place at City Screen Basement, the Lounge is a place to pause and take time out to well and truly listen. There are powerful documentaries: Kalli Anderson’s Siren Song reflects on the role of art in wartime Ukraine, whilst The Black Nite introduces a Milwaukee gay bar in the 1960s. In fiction, Sair Kaufman presents a Dungeons and Dragons-inspired fantasy musical, whilst offbeat titles like Journey Through a Cow (Bespoken Media) present biology from an alternative angle. Free with festival pass, no booking required.
Aesthetica Film Festival 2026 runs 4-8 November in York, UK.
Click here to learn more and book your festival pass.
Words: Eleanor Sutherland
Image Credits:
1. Terra Ultima, Field Notes From Latent Space, Dir. Richard Vijgen.
2. Atuel, Dev. Matajuegos.
3. The Big Cube, Dir. Menghui Huang.
4. Mikey Rogers via Unsplash.
